The Secret Letters of Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Kennedy by Wendy Leigh Page B

York.
    I’ve had an idea — but please say if you think it wouldn’t work. If Jack is in so much pain and so depressed, what if we spring a nice surprise on him? What if I got hold of a nurse’s uniform — I could get them to send it out from Hollywood — and sneaked into the hospital dressed that way? * Do you think that might pep Jack up? Or — better still — perhaps I could get you the nurse costume so you could surprise him instead of me. I am sure he would love that even more.
    But if you want me to do it, of course I will.
    Love,
    Martha
    P.S. I meant to add that I love the Zsa Zsa nail polish trick because my hands are fiat and webed [ sic ] like duck’s [ sic ] feet, so please don’t feel bad about yours.
    P.P.S. I also love our correspondence.
    __________________________
     
    * After Marilyn wrote to Jackie offering to dress up in a nurse’s uniform and surprise Jack, clearly confident that Jackie would agree to her ruse, she called Patty Renoir and begged her to send the nurse’s uniform, which she, Marilyn, had worn to audition for Lady of the Lamp. “She was talking a blue streak,” Patty recalled to her literary agent, Richard Winchester, “all about how now she was going to see ‘him,’ at last, how she was longing for him, how happy she was. Her voice was high with excitement, like a kid’s at Christmas.”

The Carlyle
     
    Martha Marshall
    The St. Regis
    October 13, 1954
     
    Dear Martha,
    Thank you for your extremely kind and considerate note. I am sending this to you via messenger—they are a marvelous addition to our modern age—as well. I think it would be absolutely marvelous if you would dress up as a nurse and surprise Jack. * It would make an enormous difference to him. Of course, you could only stay for a few minutes—so as not to tire him out—but he would just adore it, I know.
    The best time of the day is in the morning, as I am usually having my hair done at Helena Rubinstein and the sisters are always sleeping. That way Jack will be on his own and feeling low—so the surprise will be even greater!
    You are one of the dearest, kindest people to go to so much trouble for us.
    Love,
    J
    __________________________
     
    * Jackie wrote in the Purple Diary, “Just hope Jack doesn’t have a coronary when he sees MM!”

The Carlyle
     
    Martha Marshall
    The St. Regis
    October 14, 1954
     
    Dear Martha,
    You are a miracle worker! When I arrived at the hospital this afternoon, Jack was bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and a completely new man. * I wish I knew how you managed it! You did more for Jack than any doctor could possibly do—and the result is a tribute to the magic of Marilyn Monroe.
    Speaking of which, you never did tell me whether or not you have a replacement for Joe waiting in the wings???? Someone with your generous spirit richly deserves love and happiness.
    Thank you again for making Jack so happy.
    Love,
    J
    __________________________
     
    * Jackie wrote in the Purple Diary, “This afternoon, when I saw Jack at the hospital, he looked so young, so fresh, so new. For a second, an unworthy thought regarding MM (and after all, she nearly did play Florence Nightingale, and we all know how she ministered to the sick and needy) flew through my mind. I ignored it, though. Or rather, as Scarlett would say, ‘I won’t think of it now,’ or ever. …”

508 North Palm Drive
     
    Beverly Hills, California
    Josephine Kendall
    The Carlyle
    October 21, 1954
     
    Dear Josephine,
    I wanted to write and say that I hope Jack’s operation was a success. He looked so sick that after I left him, I slipped into St. Patrick’s, lit a candle for him and prayed that he would get well fast.
    Please let me know how he is, and you, too, of course.
    Love,
    Martha

1095 North Ocean Boulevard
     
    Palm Beach, Florida
    Martha Marshall
    508 North Palm Drive
    Beverly Hills, California
    October 28, 1954
     
    Dear Martha,
    You are immensely kind to be so concerned about Jack’s operation, to