As the night-life of the windy city of Chicago had just commenced, everyone was gathering outside Tia Maria’s, the hottest restaurant in town. It was the premiere of Marilyn’s newest film, “Monkey Business”. In the midst of the clear indigo skies, the brilliant lights, which lit up the top of every complex, were flashing with screaming colors; azure, lemon, green, oranges and reds… like an undying spectrum.
The fanatical crowd livened up the atmosphere as Miss Monroe stepped out of the jet-black limousine. She was wearing an elegant cerise gown with tiny silver sequins which dazzled as she made her way down the red carpet. She walked with style and dignity. Her golden-blonde locks bounced upon her shoulders as she turned to greet the crowd with a flirtatious smile. Only tiny, she must have been about 5ft 2 inches but nevertheless she still looked stunning.
Marilyn’s manager, Cody Hughes, was one of the most successful film producers of the century. He was welcoming everyone with a whimsical grin as people slowly poured into the hall.
“Hi there!” said Cody “How you doin’ Joe? I was watching the match the other night. You played great. You’re really making yourself proud hey…” I gave him a quick and sturdy handshake before telling him how much I appreciated his support… “It’s real nice o’ you to do all this for Marilyn then. She looks gorgeous tonight, what do y’all say?” Every male behind agreed with whistles and more.
Before I was seated, I went to congratulate Miss Monroe herself. I had met her once before but we never really clicked. Hopefully, things would be different now. She was protected all over: Guards and Guns. After waiting for an odd fifteen minutes, I finally managed to get through the hustle and bustle.
“Hi there Marilyn. How you doin’?”
“Joe! Me… I’m fine… real fine.” She gave me an inviting hug and a quick peck on the cheek with her generous pout.
“Don’t we all know it?” As I said this, her rosy plum cheeks blushed cherry as she laughed coyly.
“You played real good in the match the other day. How do you do it? I mean you’re virtually like the next Babe Ruth.”
“Nah… he will always be the best at Baseball; Babe Ruth. But anyhow, I came here to applaud you. Monkey Business hey? That sounds great!”
We were having a quick and casual chat about general things i.e. life, my career, her career etc. And when we were just finishing off she invited me to sit with her. At that moment, the lights in the room slowly dimmed as the introduction began. “I hope all goes well.” she whispered.
The premiere was coming to an end. An excellent film it was. I felt it was the right time. Finally, I plucked up the courage from my chicken-like nerves and revealed my true intentions.
“Hey Mar, how would you like to join me for a drink tomorrow evening?” My heart was pacing with anxiety.
She replied in her sweet angelic voice: “Oh Joe, I thought you’d never ask.”
***********************
People were getting ready to go to bed. Some were enjoying a nice hot coffee while watching the latest on FOX NEWS. The clocks in everyone’s houses ticked away. The time was 10:43pm. Marilyn had a photo shoot in Miami that day. We went together and in the evening, I took her to dinner in a classy restaurant. The food was delicious. After eating, we sat, relaxed, upon the hilly mount under the moonlit sky, which overlooked the steady rise and fall of the white waves of Miami Beach; Lover’s Hill.
The fresh, turquoise seawater from the ocean drew into the shore bringing in with it deposition and shells of all sorts. Tiny little cream-colored hermit crabs scuttled along the beaches as the playful dolphins swam to find their young. The tide was low. I gazed into each of her eyes: a clean marine blue colour filled her lens. I stroked her cheek as she leaned closer to me. Our hearts beat as one. We lay for what felt like an entire lifetime together as I sang to her the Song of Love…
“Why is the wind singing to me?
Why is the season raining colors?
Is it your face I see in every flower?
Is it your unheard voice in my ears?
It is your unheard voice
Vibrating in my dreams,
As my love-filled Heart wanders:
“Why is the wind singing to me?”
Tis your face I see
In every flower,
Pink, purple red and even green.
These are the colors of love.”
Palm in palm we walked home together. The clocks had already struck past midnight. The humid atmosphere began to fade away as the blankets of night covered the sapphire sky. Peacefully, we strolled along the golden sands. We sat in a red and blue beach shack to experience the hidden beauties embedded in the sea like pearls in an oyster. "A dollar for your thoughts…?"
“Marilyn, will you marry me?”
I don’t know what made me say it, or what I was thinking at the time. I hadn’t even planned it, but it happened – and in a way I was kind of glad.
There was a prolonged silence - what was she thinking? I waited apprehensively for an answer. I fumbled around in my pocket trying to find the precious diamond I had kept for her. She opened her mouth to speak. Her eyes glistened with tears (of joy?)
“Joe DiMaggio, I’d be more than happy to be your wife.”
My heart skipped a beat. I was…overjoyed, overwhelmed – call it what you want!
“Marilyn Monroe, you have just made me the happiest man on earth.” I leaned forward as did she and our lips touched. She smelt sweet of perfume, probably Chanel No 5. We kissed passionately. Her head was tilted. Her eyes were closed… That night, we went home together back to Chicago to my place.
***********************
The next morning, lifting the dark misty veil of the night, from its pillow of its mountain peak in the horizon, the Sun rose and saw… the valley, the skies, the atmosphere; was filled with the season of love. Time flowing as a river. My eyelids began to unclose themselves and they revealed my hazel eyes. I got up and looked at the time. It was 12:43PM. Marilyn had already got up. From the top of the curtains a streak of sunlight traveled along exposing itself. I rose up and out of bed and went into the shower. I took a quick glimpse at myself in the mirror. My 6-pack was beginning to bulge. Ole man DiMaggio…lose some weight! I stepped into the cubicle and I turned the creaking tap. A stream of cold water poured down my body. I came out, got dressed and made my way to the kitchen where the scent of delicious hot pancakes filled the air.
Marilyn turned to look at me. Her face seemed to have this strange golden glow. Oh… so that’s where my shirt had gone. She looked good in it. Sexy.
“Hey there, handsome.” She winked at me.
“Come here, you.” We embraced each other as I planted a kiss on her lush lips. We ate breakfast, and then went to her studio. She had a photo shoot for “Photoplay” in the morning and in the afternoon we were seeing the wedding planner to set a date for the big day.
***********************
It was January 14th, 1954. The big day had finally come. Marilyn was wearing a satin black suit. She wore dark red lipstick which really showed her pure skin complexion and her natural beauty. We married at San Francisco Hall. The wedding was beautiful. The reception in the evening was the best, though. Red roses were scattered on the floor and the tables along with confetti and the cake was so original, with the little replicas of Marilyn and me. We had our first dance to one of Mar’s favorite songs, Blue Moon by Ella Fitzgerald. It was so romantic and passionate, like a dream-come-true.
Later that evening, we were sent off to our Tokyo honeymoon. A five-star hotel with a crystal ballroom. That was the life I was looking for… or was it?
I understood that with Marilyn being so famous, the people wanted her. But what really disappointed me was when we went to the service men stationed at Korea. She took time to perform for them but her presence caused a near-riot among the troops, and I felt really uncomfortable with thousands of men ogling my new bride. People were everywhere we went, like eagles hunting their prey: restaurants, museums and even in the lavatories. I even heard someone say, “There’s Mr. and Mrs. Monroe.” I felt unknown and like a “nobody” yet again. What happened to Mr. and Mrs. DiMaggio? It’s not that I didn’t expect this but she didn’t even take the time to be with me and enjoy the holiday that was supposed to be our honeymoon.
When we returned home, the temperature was at its peak. The sun was shining through the fluffy white clouds. I wasn’t exactly on Cloud 9 but I actually had never felt better to be home until that afternoon…
It came to the filming of Marilyn’s newest comedy The Seven Year Itch footage of the scene where her dress was blowing over her waist. It was shot twice. The first location was Manhattan's Lexington Avenue at 52nd Street. The second time it was shot on a sound stage studio. The footage filmed in studio is what made its way to the final film, because the original location footage's sound had been rendered useless by the over excited crowd present during filming. That day, when we were at Lexington Avenue, it was one of the worst days of my life. I didn’t mean to do it but I couldn’t hold my anger in any longer. She crossed the line this time:
“Okay Mar, you ready to go”. She was wearing her fabric white dress which I had bought for her.
“Okay, all set. Let’s go!” The fans switched on and her dress went fluttering up. Everyone screamed and guys whistled at her. Men were taking photos and boys were getting excited. I was sick of it.
“MARILYN!!! Do you not have any shame in yourself whatsoever? Look at yourself. You think you look pretty showing the world your legs?” Then to top it off I grabbed her tightly by her wrist and I hurled her into the car. Her distressed cries filled my ears as I began to regret what I had just done.
As soon as we arrived home she dashed upstairs to our room and all I could hear for the next 4 hours 53 minutes was whimpering and sorrowful sighs. She was on the phone to someone. I didn’t know who. I listened in with my ear firmly pressed to the door.
“But Arthur, if he can do that to me now, what next? Get a gun and shoot the next guy who talks to me? He used to be so sweet and now… I really don’t know him anymore.” It hit me right in my heart. And who’s Arthur? She was still talking to him and then she said the “D” word:
“What do you reckon? A divorce? Well, I never really thought about it but I suppose it’s logical right? You say yes? I suppose. Yes. No. Who? Yeah… and just leave him to the rest... okay. I’ll see what happens. Thank you so much honey. I’ll see you tomorrow night. No, I’ll just tell him I have a night-shoot in Vegas. Take care. Bye. Arthur? I love you.” Lying, scheming little b***h. How could she do this to me? At that point, millions of thoughts were swimming in my brain and more and more just piled up. My brain was expanding. I felt so limp and fragile as if another shock would shatter my body to pieces. I was a brokenhearted man who had no-one and nobody. Was it my fault?
I didn’t want her to know that I knew what she was talking about so I went downstairs outside to the porch. The skies were black with blinking stars. The air was as fresh as the green grass on the lawn. I just realised that I had forgotten to shut the window of the porch. Well at least some little bug can have somewhere cozy to sleep, maybe in the couch or a pillow. I sat there on the side just thinking and recalling my thoughts. Was it jealousy that had overcome me? Was it even my fault?
The green wooden door creaked open and Marilyn came out. Her tear-stained face, still glowing, had a concerned look. I got up and put my arms around her, just to soothe out her pain. She pulled away and looked at me. I couldn’t even tell what she was thinking. She sat down in her hot pink top and shorts and as I tried to empathize with her she just turned away. From the corner of her eye, I could see those glistening tears of hers I once saw about 9 months ago when I proposed to her. Just this time it was different. These tears were neither of joy nor happiness but desperate and painful. I don’t think I need to say anything of what happened next. When I finally thought that “something” had come, I realised I was wrong. I never gave up hope in life though-I just carried on being me.
