Raymond broke off at a nod from Sir Lewis and let him continue. ‘You see, since the death of Stalin, a few things are changing in Russia. In other words there is a real danger of rapprochement between Moscow and Belgrade. As far as we are concerned, however, to open up a dialogue with Yugoslavia would be to build a bridge with Eastern Europe. To encourage Tito’s choice of autonomy, to give him international credit, would suggest an escape route for the other satellite countries of the Soviet Union as well.’
Cary coughed gently a number of times. ‘Erm, gentlemen, this is all very interesting, but the obvious question is, “Where do I come in?”’
Sir Lewis straightened his back. ‘In essence, Mr Grant, we are suggesting that you help us to change the attitude of Western public opinion about Tito’s Yugoslavia. It will not be necessary to persuade people that the Soviet Union is not hell on earth, but simply that not all socialist countries are. Or rather, in particular, that Yugoslavia is not. In order to accomplish this, we need to give the world a new image of the country, its leader and its history. And we must be the ones to do it, because at the moment the Americans are still trying to come up with the best way of eliminating McCarthy and his inquisitors.’
Cary smiled, with ill-concealed irony. ‘That is what is called plain speaking, Sir Lewis. And now, before I return to my reading of the Greek myths, would you please tell me what sort of help you are asking of me?’
‘We would like you to make a film on the life of Marshal Tito and the Yugoslav Resistance. A film that would draw attention to the anti-Nazi character of the partisan struggle, rather than its communist connotations, and exalt Yugoslavian national pride, the collective effort and, not least, relations with the Allies.’
‘And you think a film will be enough?’
Sir Lewis crossed his fingers, leaning back in his armchair. ‘Films can be very useful, Mr Grant. I don’t know whether Hollywood was ever a “hotbed of reds”, as Senator McCarthy maintains, but certainly until the United States joined the war it was a circle of Nazi supporters. Errol Flynn, Gary Cooper, Walt Disney, Howard Hughes. From the point of view of the war effort those people were just as dangerous as Hitler’s troops who were invading Europe. Because cinema is the dream factory of the free world, Mr Grant, it is its conscience and its imagination. If Hollywood had, at that time, decided to make the democratic world look fondly on Hitler, it could have done so. That’s why your work has been so useful. Now we would like to use one of those dreams, Cary Grant, to win an important battle in the war that is currently under way: the Cold War. To put it briefly, Mr Grant, we are asking you to serve the cause of the free world once again, just as you have in the past.’
For a few moments Cary was uncertain whether or not to start laughing, but in the end he chose his most incredulous smile, and stretched out in his armchair, holding his elbow with one hand and his chin between his thumb and his index finger. ‘Once again you astonish me, Sir Lewis. I wouldn’t miss the ending of this story for anything in the world.’
The secret service officer was unmoved by the irony. ‘Now Mr Raymond will talk to you about Marshal Tito.’
The underling cleared his throat, brushed invisible crumbs from the sleeve of his jacket and began. ‘Josip Broz, known as “Tito”, is a singular and without a doubt an interesting character, Mr Grant. And hard though it might be for you to believe this, it was he who first mentioned your name.’
The Cary Grant trademark smile was all that the actor would concede.
Raymond went on. ‘Tito genuinely admires you. He has seen your films and he thinks most highly of them. When we aired the hypothesis of involving an Anglo-Saxon producer in a film about his life, he made it quite clear that he would be flattered by your involvement. And it was the Marshal himself who suggested the character that you would interpret. In 1943, two English officers were parachuted into the mountains of Yugoslavia with the task of linking up with Tito. They joined forces with the Resistance and for a few months they shared the fate of the partisans, so much so that one of them was killed during a German bombing raid. Should you accept our offer, we would suggest that you interpret the role of the surviving officer, who is also available to work on the screenplay.’
Cary raised a hand. ‘One moment, Mr Raymond, kindly explain. Who would be the producer? Who would be the director? What is the budget for the enterprise?’
It was Raymond’s turn to cough. ‘That still remains to be determined.’
The actor looked away for a moment, before suddenly turning back to stare at Raymond. ‘In other words you’re suggesting that I take part in a film for which you have as yet found no producer and no director, for which you don’t know the budget available and for which there is as yet no screenplay.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘What the hell has been happening in England while I’ve been away? Have the alcoholics taken over?’
The two MI6 officials lowered their eyes in embarrassment. Sir Lewis was the first to break the silence. ‘You see, Mr Grant, for the time being this is a hypothetical project.’
‘You can say that again.’
‘We haven’t actually come here to offer you an engagement. That isn’t our job. But Marshal Tito has asked to be able to meet you. Let’s just say that he has imposed a few preliminary conditions on the whole enterprise.’
Cary’s frown forced Sir Lewis to explain. ‘That’s why we’re here. It certainly won’t be MI6 that offers you an engagement, but perhaps MGM will in due course. We would like you to meet Marshal Tito as an ambassador for the Western cinematographic industry. It is clear that if Tito had not expressed this wish, we would never have been so bold as to come and disturb you, Mr Grant.’
Sir Lewis let Raymond speak. Cary wondered on what basis the two of them had divided their roles, or whether it was a casual arrangement.
‘MI6 can supply the logistical support to enable you to go to Yugoslavia. Obviously you would be travelling incognito: the Russians must know nothing about the meeting, or they could undertake unpleasant countermeasures. Besides, no one is going to want to divulge your name without being certain of the project going ahead.’
Cary had to confess that he was fascinated by the absurdity of the situation. For a moment he thought that at any second David Niven might jump out of the next room to reveal the joke with one of his quips.
‘To avoid arousing suspicion,’ Raymond went on, ‘we thought we would employ a double, Mr Grant, who would, in your absence, allow some photographs of himself to be taken from a long way off, in the company of your wife, to keep the glossy magazines happy. To do this, we would take advantage of the fact that your withdrawal from the cinema and the Hollywood party scene gives us ample room for manoeuvre.’
‘A double?’
Raymond took a photograph from the briefcase and passed it to Cary, who looked at it for a few moments.
‘You can’t be serious! This person is supposed to stand in for me?’ Cary exploded into liberating laughter. ‘This balding, unshaven fop is supposed to look like me? Be me? Gentlemen, you must have had a few drinks too many!’
‘Obviously there will have to be some retouching —’