sister carrie

Chapter 76 (1)

Chapter 43 The whole world cheers: A pair of eyes in the dark (1)
When Carrie was settled in her comfortable room, she wondered what Hurstwood had done to her departure.After hastily arranging a few things, she headed for the theatre, thinking that she might meet him at the entrance of the theatre.When she didn't see him, her fear disappeared, and at the same time, she had a better impression of him.She almost forgot about him till the end of the show, when she left the theater, and when it was over she was terrified at the thought that he might be there.Later, as the days passed, she didn't hear any rumors at all, and the thought of being afraid of his disturbance passed away.Except for occasional reflections, the melancholy which had weighed so heavily on her heart in that home had vanished entirely.

It is interesting to observe how quickly a profession draws one's full attention.Carrie grew wise about her stage career, and often heard little Laura gossiping.She knew what theatrical papers were, and which papers carried news about actresses, and so on.She began to read the news in the papers, not only the news of the opera in which she had a small part, but other things as well.Gradually, she developed a desire to show her face in the newspapers.Hoping to be as famous as some, she eagerly reads opinions that praise or criticize those high up in her profession.She was fascinated by the colorful world in which she was intoxicated.

It was about this time that newspapers and magazines began to illustrate pictures of beauties on stage, and it has been a craze ever since.Newspapers, especially the Sunday papers, ran hugely illustrated theater pages, showing the faces and figures of stage celebrities, surrounded by artistic lace.The same goes for the magazines—at least one or two new ones—sometimes with portraits of beautiful stars, and sometimes stills from related shows.Carrie watched with growing interest.When will stills of her show be published? When will any newspaper consider her picture worthy of publication?
She had taken on a new role the previous Sunday, and she had pored over the theater page for any short news.If she didn't see any news, it was not what she expected.But in those newsletters, behind some of the more important news, there was a tiny report.Carrie felt her whole body tremble as she read.

"The role of the country girl Katishia, who had been played by Inas Kahlo in the Broadway production of Abtel's Wives, will now be played by one of the brightest actresses in the chorus."

Carrie was very happy.Oh, isn't that beautiful? The day has come at last! She's in the papers for the first time, and long-awaited, delightfully! And she's said to be very clever.She could hardly help laughing out loud.Did Laura read it?
"They've got a piece on the news about my part to-morrow night," said Carrie to her friend.

"Oh, that's great! Did you make it?" Laura exclaimed, running towards her. "That's fine," she said, looking at her. , Once, my picture was published in Le Monde."

"Was it?" asked Carrie.

"Was it? Well, I should say," answered the little girl, "and they put a lace round me."

Carrie laughed.

"They've never posted my picture yet."

"They'll do it," Laura said. "Just wait and see. You're better than most of the stills."

For this, Carrie was deeply grateful to her.She was almost in love with Laura, for her sympathy and her admiration.It was so good for her--it was absolutely necessary.

She was so good at it that she was in the papers again, saying she was very good at the part she played.This made her very happy.The world, she thought, was watching her.

When she first got $35 a week, it seemed like a lot.It seems a little ridiculous to pay only three yuan for rent.She also gave Laura twenty-five dollars, and she had seven dollars left, and with the remaining four dollars, she still had eleven dollars.Five yuan is used as an installment payment for clothes.By next week, she'll be even more content, paying only three yuan for rent, five yuan for clothes, and the rest for food and whatever else she fancyes.

"You'd better save a little for the summer," Laura advised her. "We might close the show in May."

"I'll save it," said Carrie.

For someone who has lived on a meager income for years, regular income of $35 a week is a joy to behold.Carrie found her purse bulging and full of large bills.With no one to support her, she began to buy nice clothes, nice jewelry, eat well, and furnish her room.It didn't take long for friends to be attracted.She met several young people from Laura's team.The folks at the opera troupe knew her without any introductions.One of them fell in love with her.Several times I walked with her and sent her home.

"Let's rest for a while and have a snack," he suggested once at midnight.

"All right," said Carrie.

In that rosy hotel, crowded with late-night lovers, she couldn't help but judge the man.The man is too artificial, too assertive.The information he talks about is nothing more than mediocre things like clothes and material achievements.There is nothing else that can be done to improve her.After the snack he smiled very modestly.

"Got to go straight home, eh?" he said.

"Yes," she said.

"She's not as inexperienced as she appears," he thought.Since then, I have respected her more and more.

She had to go with Laura to find the happy time, sometimes driving in a carriage during the day, eating supper after the show at night, and strolling Broadway in the afternoon, dressed beautifully.She is plunged into the vortex of Metropolis joy.

Later, a weekly magazine published her picture.She didn't know it at first, but then she was taken aback.The photo reads "Miss Carrie Matonda. One of the popular actors in the crew of "Abdul's Wives and Concubines." It turned out that a few photos were taken in the Saloni photo studio after Laura advised her.The Weekly got one from there.She originally wanted to buy a few newspapers in the downtown area, but then she thought again, she didn't have any friendly people to give to her.Apparently, only Laura in the whole world was interested.

The Cosmopolitan looks at this cold place from a social standpoint.Carrie soon discovered that a little more money did her no good.The world of fame and wealth is still far away from her.She could sense the lack of warmth, sympathy and friendship behind these casual pleasure-seeking occasions where so many people tried to approach her.Everything is for your own happiness, and as for what misfortune it may cause to others, then ignore it.That was the lesson she had learned from Hurstwood and Drouet.

In April, she knew that the opera performance might last until the middle of May or the end of May, depending on the size of the audience.In the next season, I will go on tour.She thought to herself, wondering if she would go out with her.Because of the middle salary, Miss Osborne always seeks a contract to stay in the city and perform in accordance with the old custom.

"They're going to play a play at the Casino Theater in the summer," she announced, performing it figuratively, putting her ear to the ground. , "Let's try and squeeze in."

"I would," said Carrie.

They caught up in time, and they were told the exact time for another registration.It was the sixteenth of May.Their own play was closed on May [-]th.

"Anyone willing to play in the summer show," said the manager, "must sign a contract within this week."

"Are you signing?" Laura asked. "I'm not going out."

"I know that," said Carrie, "but perhaps I can't find anything else to do."

"Well, I won't," said the little girl.She has a lot of people cheering for her, "I went out once. By the end of the season, I didn't get anything."

Carrie thought the matter over.She's never toured yet.

"We can handle it," Laura went on. "That's what I always do."

Carrie did not sign.

The impresario, who was preparing a comedy for the summer at the Casino Theater, had never heard of Carrie.However, news of her was published several times in the newspaper, as well as her picture, and the program list with her name on it, all of which had an impact on him.He gave her a silent role for 30 yuan a week.

(End of this chapter)