A thrilling read, if I say so myself.

 He told her to prepare for The Role of a Lifetime ... but warned her that they would have to get it right, on the first take ...
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The Old Man had never been more than a bit player at the old studio.

Yet, he had always fancied himself a great actor/director, in the mold of Chaplin, and Fairbanks, and Keaton. And, the new Studio Exec had been implored to keep him on, by some of the old-timers around the lot, so that the Old Man could have a steady paycheck, in his twilight years.

But, when he stole the money and equipment to make some dumb, boring old silent movie ... the Studio Exec had the Old Man fired, on the spot.

It was then that the "Great Director" would show them all -- and, with the 'help' of the Studio Exec's own daughter -- he set out to show them all, just how exciting those old silent movie thrillers could be, in the right hands ...

The Damsel wriggles in his arms, bound tightly in his ropes, and mmmmph!'s helplessly, plaintively behind his gag.

Meanwhile, the train's blast horn blares a dire warning, as it enters the dark tunnel not far away.

The stage is set for the Grand Finale to Mr. Grimm's latest work of art.

All music to his ears ...

 

From 'Diary of a Dance Hall Girl', page 46:

"I told the Deputy about a rough 'client' I'd had a couple of days before, and that he was holed up in an old shack, way out in the desert.
"I didn't know it was the notorious 'Firebug' Ed Slade -- until the Sheriff brought him in, and handed me the reward money!
"I didn't know he'd escape from jail, either.
"Nor that he would come for me, at night.
"And grab me.
"And tie me up.
"And gag me.
"And ride me way out to his place, under cover of darkness.
"He took my reward money.
"And, he planned to take his revenge ... with a torch, a broken lantern, and a dusty wood floor, soaked through and through with kerosene!
"Oh, dear, but I was so lucky that he left the door open, for his quick escape! The light from his torch led the Posse straight to us, just in the nick of time!..."

Curiously enough, the Senator withdrew his support, and effectively 'Killed' the Bill, in committee, the very next day. 

To Be Continued, ... Next Week at this Theater!

Ah, if only they still made serials, ...

An Inconvenient Madame

Sometimes, it's not what you know, but who you know ...

Occupational Hazard

You would think that this is sort of an Occupational Hazard for her, ... but, let's all just hope that she has AFLAC.

Go ahead, try and do something nice for somebody, and this is what happens ...

Mmm, tying a damsel to a conveyor belt, slowly sliding her toward a gruesome demise, is what this Villain lives for! 

Of course, there is always some do-gooder just around the corner, waiting to race to her rescue, ...

There just isn't enough time in the day ...

... to keep up with all the damsels who need to be pursued, captured, bound, gagged, and imperiled by evil Villains (such as myself  :D )

*Sigh*

A Villain's work is never done, ...