Once is not Enough [antikvár]

PROLOGUE He burst upon the theatrics! scenc in 1945. He was Mike Wayne-a born winner. He had been known as the best crap shooter in the Air Force, and the thirteen thousand dollars in cash, strapped around his waist, proved the legend to be fact. When he was in his late teens he had already figured the stock market and show business to be the two biggest crap games in the world. He was twenty-seven when he got out of the Air Force and crazy about girls, so he picked show business. He parlayed his thirteen thousand into sixty with five hot days at Aqueduct. By investing it in a Broadway show he became co-producer. The show was a hit and he married Vicki Hill, the most beautiful girl in the chorus. Vicki wanted to be a star, and he gave her the chance. In 1948 he produced his first big lavish musical on his own and starred his wife. It was a hit, in spite of her. The critics praised his theatrical know-how in surrounding her with talented performers, a foolproof book, and a hit score. But they all agreed that Vicki was less than adequate. When the show ended its run, he 'retired' her. ("Baby, you gotta know how to walk away from the table when the dice are cold. I gave you your shot. Now you give me a son.') On New Year's Day, 1950, she presented him with a baby girl. He promptly named her January, and when the nurse put the baby in his arms, he silently swore he would give her the world. When she was two, he greeted her before he greeted his wife. When she was four, he went to California and produced his