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           AndNinowouldgivehimthatcuriouslycharmingsmileandshakehisheadandsay,"No,andIneverwill,"inasympatheticvoice,asifheknewwhatJohnnywasthinking.

           Finally,aweekbeforeshootingthenewpicture,theAcademyAwardnightrolledaround.JohnnyinvitedNinotocomealongbutNinorefused.Johnnysaid,"Buddy,Ineveraskedyouafavor,right?Domeafavortonightandcomewithme.You’retheonlyguywho’llreallyfeelsorryformeifIdon’twin."

           ForonemomentNinolookedstartled.Thenhesaid,"Sure,oldbuddy,Icanmakeit."Hepausedforamomentandsaid,"ifyoudon’twin,forgetit.JustgetasdrunkasyoucangetandI’lltakecareofyou.Hell,Iwon’tevendrinkmyselftonight.Howaboutthatforbeingabuddy?"

           "Man,"JohnnyFontanesaid,"that’ssomebuddy."

           TheAcademyAwardnightcameandNinokepthispromise.HecametoJohnny’shousedeadsoberandtheyleftforthepresentationtheatertogether.NinowonderedwhyJohnnyhadn’tinvitedanyofhisgirlsorhisex-wivestotheAwarddinner.EspeciallyGinny.Didn’thethinkGinnywouldrootforhim?Ninowishedhecouldhavejustonedrink,itlookedlikealongbadnight.

           NinoValentifoundthewholeAcademyAwardaffairaboreuntilthewinnerofthebestmaleactorwasannounced.Whenheheardthewords"JohnnyFontane,"hefoundhimselfjumpingintotheairandapplauding.JohnnyreachedoutahandforhimtoshakeandNinoshookit