The Avenger · Chapter
XXXI: John Percival Liggitt explained
Adele feels out of sorts despite praise from Jack Knebworth for her acting.
What happens
Adele feels out of sorts despite praise from Jack Knebworth for her acting. Reggie Connolly boasts about his abilities and Hollywood offers, but Knebworth dismisses his claims. A disheveled tramp waits outside the studio with a letter for Michael Brixan, refusing to hand it to anyone else. Adele later narrowly avoids a car driven recklessly by Stella Mendoza, who is in a hurry to reach Sir Gregory Penne at Griff Towers.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearances
Reggie's exaggerated claims about Hollywood offers and the tramp's mysterious letter highlight the theme of deception and hidden truths.
Characters to notice
- Adele Leamington
Feels out of sorts despite success; concerned about the tramp waiting for Brixan; nearly hit by Stella's car.
- Jack Knebworth
Praises Adele's acting; dismisses Reggie's boasts; informs Adele about the tramp with a letter for Brixan.
- Reggie Connolly
Boasts about his acting skill and Hollywood offers; receives sarcastic remarks from Knebworth.
- Stella Mendoza
Drives recklessly near Adele; in a desperate hurry to reach Sir Gregory Penne at Griff Towers.
- Mike Brixan
Absent from the studio; a tramp waits with a letter for him; mentioned as having left London.
Key passages
“I’ll be perfectly frank and honest, Mr. Knebworth, Leamington is good. Of course, I’m always on the spot to give her tips, and there’s nothing quite so educative—if I may use the term—”
Reggie claims he helps Adele improve by acting opposite her.
Reggie's self-serving praise of Adele while taking credit for her success.
“There never was an actor that hadn’t a better contract up his sleeve and was ready to take it. But when it comes to a showdown, you find that the contracts they’re willing to tear up in order to take something better, are locked away in a lawyer’s office and can’t be got out.”
Jack says actors often bluff about having better offers, but the contracts are never real.
Jack's cynical view of actors' boasts about Hollywood opportunities.