Linda reads
from her new book, Royal Flush |
AA: I wonder
what happened to it?
LLP: Well, I
found out. It went to an antiques dealer. Guess how much it was
going for?
AA: 拢10,000,
拢12,000. Up. 拢15.
It was 拢25,000,
so if I'd have got it I would have got a bargain.
AA: I wonder
who has it now. You're famous for your research on productions like
The Governor, Prime Suspect. Maybe you could get your team of sleuths
on the case.
LLP: The new
owner said to me its eyes alone are worth a fortune. Its eyes were
made of the most incredible amber. You've got me all upset about
my panther!
AA: We won't
mention it again.
LLP: But La
Plante Productions's logo is a panther. And in my new TV show, Trial
And Retribution, one of the guys who is questioned about the murder
- have a look at his right arm and you will see a black panther.
AA: Tattooed?
LLP: He had
it painted on for me. So you'll be in on the ink! Look there's the
La Plante logo on his arm.
AA: I was
trying to recall your work as an actor because you were in The Sweeney,
Minder.
LLP: You name
it I trolled across the screen! I was in Out, Gentle Touch. I was
even in Z Cars.
I was in a show
called The Doctors. Very funny actually because the script was so
bad. I was a receptionist and I had a buzzer with my foot and when
there was a lull in the action they'd tell me to buzz someone through
and I was supposed to say, "Mr Cook, Dr Simmonds is here now."
Bzzzz. "Mrs Maynard, the doctor can see you now."
After a few
weeks I got a bit bored now, so for weeks I was sending in - "Jackie
Onassis, you can go see the doctor now." Joan Crawford, Marilyn
Monroe - all these people.
One day the
producer said, "Lynda, we've had a call from a viewer. You didn't
send Margaret Thatcher in last night, did you?" I said, " Ooh yes,
I did. Sorry."
He said, "Who
else have you been sending in?" I said, "Jackie Onassis." They had
to go through all the old tapes and doctor them and they fired me.
I was one of
the very few people fired from a soap.
AA: What
sort of music do you enjoy listening to?
LLP: I really
have very eclectic tastes.
AA: Do writing
and music go hand in hand?
LLP: I like
silence. The only time I used music a lot was Nessun Dorma. When
he reaches for that note. I used to think if he can get that note
I can get this next sentence. Somehow I like that kind of sound
that can fill you with an energy.
But when I think
about music you purchase, I really go from one end of the scale
to the other. I'm not keen on musicals - but from Bruce Springsteen
to Placido Domingo, classical I love.
AA: Your
new book Royal Flush has just been published. The main character
is the grandly named Edward de Jersey. Who is Edward de Jersey?
LLP: Previously
Eddie Jersey, east end of London. He put the de in because he thinks
it sounds cool. He really wants to be - he's accepted as an aristocrat.
He's a man -
you know they say it's unlucky to attain everything in life and
acknowledge it. The moment you say "I am a happy man, I have everything
in life I've ever wanted." That's the moment a brick comes and hits
you on the back of the head.
De Jersey was
a criminal, a bank robber, an honourable man inasmuch as he'd always
split the take but nevertheless he was a criminal.
He obtains via
his last major robbery a stud farm, a stunning wife, two beautiful
daughters and as the book opens he believe he's going to have a
Derby winner - this great horse, the Royal Flush.
Not a hot flush,
a royal flush and it's how when everything comes crashing down where
does he go.
His rage is
unbelievable. He sits down and thinks what can I do to salvage everything
I love: what can I rob, what can I attack - and it's the crown jewels.
So I had a wonderful time researching - in and out of the tower
like a dingbat.
page 3>>>
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