STANLEY’S GIRLFRIEND (EPISODE FROM “TRAPPED ASHES”)

In Hollywood, 1957, two ambitious young filmmakers become unlikely friends: Leo, writer of sadistic little B-pictures like “The Strangler” and a soon-to-be-famous director named Stanley. They find they share a passion for photography, jazz — and chess. During all-night chess matches, the two men open their creative souls to each other. Nothing could come between them — until the day Stanley shows up with a mysterious girlfriend, Nina. There’s something ancient and modern about her, some indefinable, irresistible quality that drives Stanley half-mad with desire, turning his back on his work, his films, his friend Leo.

After a long silence, Leo receives an invitation to play chess one afternoon — but when he arrives at the apartment, he finds Stanley has left town on a film proj