City of Girls

In March 1941, Edna and Anthony are invited to perform together at a fundraiser. Just before they depart for the event, Arthur has a tantrum because Edna is leaving with another man. Vivian tries to calm everyone down, but Anthony angrily says that Vivian isn’t in charge of him. Both Arthur and Vivian are hurt at being rebuffed, and Arthur tells Vivian that Edna is having an affair with Anthony. Vivian is shocked by the betrayal and asks herself, “What else did I not know? When would I stop being surprised by people and their lust, and their sordid secrets?” (251).

Impulsively, Arthur insists that Celia and Vivian accompany him for a night on the town. After they’ve had too much to drink at the Spotlite, where Louis Prima is playing, Vivian infers that Celia is sleeping with Arthur. The two women go outside to discuss the matter. Vivian feels betrayed by everyone, and she collapses in Celia’s arms in tears. Arthur joins the two in a group hug that turns into a group kiss. He then suggests all three move their activity to a hotel room. Vivian participates awkwardly in a ménage à trois before walking back to the Lily alone.