Ralph L Roberts.com

One day, I suggested to Lee that we drive back to Pyramid Lake which seemed more than any place we visited, to intrigue him. I had double motives, other than knowing he liked Pyramid Lake. Marilyn had mentioned that while she knew it was wonderful for Lee to have a vacation, and how much she enjoyed seeing him in the evenings, she did miss the neck-rubs during breaks. I also knew they were shooting that day in the ranch-house located near Pyramid. Then when we were leaving the Lake, "It’s about time for the lunch break, why don’t we stop and have lunch with them?" He thought is a fine idea, but "what if they don’t have coconut pie for lunch?" We parked, just as they were breaking for lunch. Marilyn let out a scream of joy, and wanted to introduce him to Gable. After a few minutes of talk, Lee "I remember very well seeing you on Broadway in the Squaw Man, and my ambivalent feelings later on when you had gone to Hollywood, and became such a big star; that we had lost a potentially great talent in another medium." Gable beamed, and when he started replying, Paula motioned to me to come into her dressing room, "How dare you bring him to the set." Then she lit into me in such a manner that absolutely stunned me. It is difficult for me to deal verbally with anger, so I turned, headed for the station wagon, and was going to Reno. She came running when she saw my intent, held my arm, calmed down, and said, "Please forgive me, Ralph – I didn’t mean to blast out at you. It isn’t you, or anything you’ve done. You see, they have been on tenterhooks, ever since they heard he was coming. They practically warned me "keep him off the set." They don’t even want me around. They don’t consult me in anyway, or give me advance information as to what they intend. I’m in such a bind that sometimes I think that I’ll have to do exactly what you had in mind – to leave. I’ve spent so much time trying to decide to return to NY with Lee. But, she could never understand, she’s aware of what’s going on, but she could never comprehend being left to face it all alone." 

(Marilyn talking) That night. "I was so happy when you and Lee showed up today. I’ve been wanting to see more of him during the day. But hated to impose on his vacation. Clark was so pleased to talk with him, and was thrilled to hear him discuss his stage appearance. You know, Clark was under the great influence of a teach-coach. In fact, he said he married her. Josephine Dillon. I knew her once. In fact, I was torn between working with her or Natasha Lytess. What happened with you and Paula? You looked thunder-struck." I said it was something to do with a small incident a few years before. I’m quite sure she knew exactly the small incident – she had antenna that reached everywhere.