You Can Say That Again

chapter one

For the past week, I had been sitting, alone, in my walkup apartment, staring into space and waiting. I had run out of cash, and even worse, out of credit. My lifeline, right at this moment, was the telephone.

When the bell rang — the first time in seven, gruesome days — I nearly broke a leg getting to the receiver.

‘This is Lu Prentz’s secretary.’

‘Hi, Liz!’ I wasn’t a bit-part actor for nothing. I instilled into my voice sincere pleasure: not a desperate screech for help, but smooth, no panic, completely at ease. ‘You just caught me. I was on my way out.’

I knew this crummy dialogue wouldn’t jell with Liz Martin, but I knew she would go along with it. She had had enough experience, working with Lu Prentz, to know all his clients were desperate for work.

‘Mr. Prentz wants to see you urgently, Mr. Stevens,’ she told me. ‘May he expect you?’

‘What does that mean — urgently?’

‘After lunch. Three o’clock?’

There was a time when Lu Prentz talked business with me over a lush-plush lunch, but that was in the dim past. The only time he wanted to see me now was to remind me I owed him five hundred and three dollars.

‘Is he worrying about what I owe him, Liz?’ I asked in my bored voice. ‘Is that what he wants to see me about?’

‘It’s a job, Mr. Stevens.’

‘I’ll be there at three o’clock.’

As I hung up, I took in a long, deep breath. Man! Could I use a job! Any goddam job!

A few years ago, I had been a big success, playing the baddie in Western movies. Then I moved onto the friend who never got the girl: strictly second role parts, then the guy who got shot early in the movie, then the character who sat around looking menacing for a fifty second take, then nothing much: a few bit parts, then a bigger part in a TV serial, and now, I was, what is known in the trade, resting.

I was pushing forty: tall, handsome, dark and divorced. My wardrobe, carefully cherished, was beginning to show signs of wear. I had been waiting and waiting. I was so far down the tunnel, I didn’t go out, scared to leave the telephone, didn’t eat more than a hamburger a day which was sent in, but still hoping for the big break.

Lu Prentz was known as the last line of retreat for the unsuccessful and aging actors and actresses. When all the big agencies, the not-so-big agencies, the minor agencies were no longer interested, Lu was willing to try. He often said with his oily smile: Who knows? Some sucker could buy you, and it’s dollars in my bank.

To give Lu his due, he had, over the past six months, staked me when the wolves were gnawing at my door. He had explained, when handing over the loot to me, that he had faith in me. He felt convinced he would get his money back, plus twenty-five percent interest. Taking his money, I was happy to agree with him, but I felt he was taking a risk. I had even sold my car.

But if Liz said there was a job, she meant just that.

Liz Martin was a worldly eighteen year old. She had been working for Lu for the past three years. If anyone had a heart of gold, she had. I’ve seen her cry when some skinny, aged actress had been given the bum’s rush out of Lu’s shabby office.

Liz was typing like crazy when I walked into the tiny room that served as an outer-office. I gave her my wide, friendly smile.

Liz was a thin, tiny blonde with big blue eyes and the kind of appeal spaniels have: a little doleful, but longing to be loved.

‘Hi, Liz,’ I said, closing the door. ‘Is the alligator back from crunching bones?’

She nodded and pointed to Lu’s door.

‘Go right on in, Mr. Stevens, and good luck.’

Lu Prentz sat behind his desk, his pudgy hands resting on the grubby blotter, his eyes closed. From the heavy flush on his face, he had been reducing the level in a Scotch bottle at someone else’s expense.

Lu was short, squat and over-fat. Balding and clean-shaven, when he remembered to shave, he gave the appearance of a no-good uncle returning to the homestead in search of a dollar. He always wore the same shiny blue suit. He went in for hand-painted floral ties and bottle green shirts. It was only when he opened his eyes and looked at me, I recalled he was not only sharp, not only shrewd, but as hard as tungsten steel.

‘Sit down, Jerry,’ he said, waving to the client’s chair. ‘I think something’s come up that could be useful to you.’

I sat down carefully knowing from experience, this chair was as comfortable as the Iron Maiden, designed to get rid of Lu’s clients in the shortest possible time.

‘You’re looking well, Lu,’ I said. ‘Long time, no see.’

‘Never mind the B movie dialogue,’ he said, releasing a gentle burp. ‘Just listen.’ He screwed up his little eyes as he contemplated me. ‘You owe me five hundred and three bucks.’

‘Don’t let’s go over past history, Lu. What’s come up?’

‘I’m just reminding you because if you land this job, the first thing you do is to repay me.’

‘What job? TV?’

‘I don’t know what the job is, but my instincts tell me there could be money in it.’ He tapped his beaky nose. ‘Always providing you get the job.’

‘You’ve eaten too much for lunch. You’re rambling.’

‘Stop wasting my time! Just listen!’

So I listened.

This morning, at ten o’clock he told me, a man, calling himself Joseph Durant, had come to the office. This man made a big impact on Lu. He was around forty—five years of age, well fed, swarthy and smooth. He was immaculately dressed in a suit that only big money could buy. He wore black lizard skin shoes and a Cardin tie. These points registered with Lu. The look of this man gave off a strong aroma of wealth. Mr. Durant said he was interested in hiring an out-of-work actor. He understood, by asking around, that Mr. Prentz specialized in out-of-work actors.

Lu, giving his oily smile, said he also had many other clients who were earning big money in movies and TV

Mr. Durant had waved this obvious lie aside. Did Mr. Prentz have photographs of these actors who were out-of-work and were looking for an assignment?

Lu said he had some four hundred photographs of excellent actors who were, unfortunately, resting at this moment.

‘I’ll look at these photographs,’ Durant said.

‘Well, four hundred . . . maybe you can give me some idea of the kind of man you had in mind? I could then put the data through my computer (Liz Martin) and come up with a selection.’

Durant nodded.

‘I need a man between thirty-five and forty—five years of age. He must be at least six feet tall. His height is important. He should be slim: not more than a hundred and sixty pounds. He should be able to drive a car, ride a horse and swim well. He must have a placid temperament. I don’t want one of these showoff actors who think they are tin gods.’

Lu had only five out-of-work actors on his books who vaguely matched this description, and all of them considered themselves major gods. He made a big thing about producing the photographs. These Durant examined.

Lu gave me his oily smile.

‘He picked you, Jerry. He wants to see you before deciding to engage you.’

‘What is this?’ I asked. ‘Who is he? Is he a talent scout?’

‘I doubt it.’ Lu shrugged. ‘He was secretive. I do know he reeks of money, and that’s what we are both interested in . . . right?’

‘You can say that again,’ I said with feeling.

‘Okay. Now tonight, at exactly ten—thirty, you will walk into the lobby of the Plaza hotel. You will then go to the newsstand and buy a copy of Newsweek. You will then go to the main bar and order a dry martini. You will sit at the bar and look through Newsweek. You will have a few words with the barman, finish your drink and return to the lobby. You don’t rush any of this. You will be watched. Your manner, your movements and the way you conduct yourself are of interest to Mr. Durant. You will sit in the lobby. If you have satisfied Mr. Durant, he will approach you. If you have flopped, he won’t, and after waiting half an hour, you go home and forget it ever happened. That’s it. It’s up to you.’

‘You have no idea what he wants?’

‘No idea.’

‘No talk of money?’

‘No talk of money. This is an audition. It’s up to you.’

I thought about this. It seemed odd to me, but it could turn out to be a job.

‘He looks like money?’

‘He stinks of money.’

‘Well, okay. What have I to lose? I’ll be there.’

Lu switched on his oily smile.

‘Good. Now remember, a placid temperament. This guy means what he says.’

‘A placid temperament? That means a yes-man.’

‘Nice thinking, Jerry. That’s what it means.’

‘Suppose he hires me? How about the money? Do you handle that end of it?’

Lu’s little eyes turned cold.

‘If he talks money, refer him to me. I’m your agent, aren’t I?’

‘You must be. I don’t seem to have any other agent.’ I gave him my boyish smile, minus sincerity. ‘Well, okay, I’ll be there.’ I paused, then went on. ‘There’s one little thing, Lu, we should settle before I leave you to your hive of industry. I go to the Plaza. I buy Newsweek. I buy a dry martini . . . right?’

He regarded me suspiciously.

‘That’s what you do.’

I widened the boyish smile.

‘With what?’

Lu stared at me.

‘I don’t follow you.’

‘Let’s face the sordid facts. I’m bust flat. I even had to walk to your crummy office. I’ve even sold my car.’

Lu reared back in his chair.

‘Impossible! I lent you . . .’

‘That was six months ago. Right now, I am worth one dollar and twenty cents.’

He closed his eyes and released a soft moan. I could see he was struggling with himself. Finally, he opened his eyes and produced a twenty-dollar note from a loaded wallet and placed the bill, as if it was Ming china, on his desk.

As I reached for the bill, he said, ‘You had better get this job, Jerry. This is the last handout you get from me. If you don’t get this job, never let me see your face in this office again. Is that understood?’

I stowed the bill into my empty wallet.

‘I always knew you had a heart of gold, Lu,’ I said. ‘I will tell my grandchildren of your generosity. The little bastards will cry their eyes out.’

He snorted.

‘You now owe me five hundred and twenty three dollars, plus twenty-five percent interest. Now, go away!’

I went into the outer office where two aged, shabby looking men leaned against the wall, waiting to see Lu. The sight of them depressed me, but I managed to give Liz a bright smile. I walked down to the street. As I set off to my dreary apartment, I hoped, as I have never hoped before, that tonight would produce the vital break I needed.

* * *

As I walked into the lobby of the Plaza hotel, the wall clock showed 22.30.

In my better days, I had often frequented this hotel, using the bar and the restaurant when dating some willing dolly bird. Then, the doorman would lift his cap, but this time, he merely glanced at me as he hurried down the steps to open the door of a Caddy from which spilled a fat man and a fatter woman.

The hotel lobby was fairly crowded with the usual mob who milled around, greeting each other: most of the men in tuxedos and the women in their war paint. No one paid any attention to me as I walked across the lobby to the newsstand. The old dear who had been behind the counter since the hotel had opened, smiled at me.

‘Why, hello, Mr. Stevens! I’ve missed you. Have you been away?’

Well, at least someone remembered me.

‘France,’ I lied. ‘How are you?’

‘Middling. None of us get any younger. And you, Mr. Stevens?’

‘Fine. Give me Newsweek, will you, baby?’

She simpered. It is easy to please those without money or fame. She gave me the magazine and I paid.

Then conscious I might be watched, I gave her my charming smile, said she looked younger than when I had last seen her, and leaving her dazed with joy, I walked slowly through the mob to the bar. I resisted the temptation to look around to see if I could spot Mr. Durant. I only hoped he was there, watching my performance.

The bar was crowded. I have to weave my way through and past the fat, scented women and the fat, potbellied men to the bar.

Jo-Jo, the negro barman, was serving cocktails. He had put on a lot of weight since I last had seen him. He gave me a quick glance, then a double take, then he beamed at me.

‘Hi, Mr. Stevens. Be with you in a second.’

I rested my elbows on the bar: another who remembered.

When Jo-Jo eventually reached me, I asked for a dry martini.

‘Long time no see, Mr. Stevens,’ he said, reaching for a shaker. ‘You’re quite a stranger.’

‘Yeah. You know how it is.’ I didn’t give him the guff about being in France. Jo-Jo was too worldly wise.

‘Sure. We come and we go and we return to this city.’

Was there a look of sympathy in his eyes?

‘Anyway, nice to see you again.’

He poured out the drink and went to serve a party clamoring for refills.

I suddenly felt pretty good. It was months now since anyone had said it was nice to see me. Most of my so-called friends crossed the street when they saw me coming.

I wondered if my performance with Jo-Jo had been long enough. Holding my drink, I looked around, but the mob was so dense, I couldn’t pick out anyone who looked anything like Mr. Durant as Lu had described him. I sipped the drink and looked at the magazine.

When Jo-Jo had finished serving. I signaled to him.

‘A pack of Chesterfields, please.’

‘Yes, Mr. Stevens.’ He produced the pack. ‘Is the drink okay?’

‘Fine: no one quite like you to mix a dry martini.’

He beamed.

‘Well, I guess I’ve mixed a few in my time.’

‘I’m in a hurry. I’ll pay now,’ and I put a ten spot on the counter.

He gave change and I slipped him a quarter.

‘Hope to see you again, Mr. Stevens,’ and he went off to serve more drinks.

I finished the martini, lit a cigarette, then wandered into the lobby. It was less crowded. The mob was milling towards the restaurant and the exits.

My heart was now beating over fast. Would Mr. Durant appear? I put on my nonchalant expression and moved to one of the lounging chairs. I sat down, opened the magazine and stared sightlessly at the printed pages. Suppose I had flopped? There seemed no obvious rush to hire me.

Play it cool, I told myself, and stubbed out my cigarette in the ash bowl on the table by my side. I crossed one leg over the other and turned the pages.

Twenty long minutes dragged by, and nothing happened.

By now the lobby was nearly empty. I looked around. An elderly couple sat away from me. A thin man and a thinner woman were talking to the reception clerk. Four bellboys sat on a bench, waiting for new arrivals. A little old woman sat alone, looking forlorn and lonely with a toy poodle to keep her company. Two men, smoking cigars, studied papers. There was no sign of anyone remotely looking like Mr. Durant.

I waited. There was nothing else I could do, and while I sat there a black cloud of depression began to gather around me. Fifteen minutes later, the cloud was dense.

I had flopped!

I put down the magazine and lit a cigarette. So what was I going to do? I thought of the long walk back to my apartment. I couldn’t afford a taxi. Out of Lu’s handout, I had eleven dollars and a few cents left in my financial world, but, at least, for the moment, I had a roof over my head, but for how long?

Had Lu been serious about me not showing my face in his office? I thought about this, and decided he was bluffing. He wouldn’t release his hooks in me until I had repaid what I owed him.

So, back to my apartment to face another interminable wait by the telephone. At least, Lu’s handout would keep me from starving.

It was comfortable in the hotel lobby. No one bothered me. I was reluctant to leave for the long, dismal walk home. So I settled back and forced myself to take an interest in the remaining people in the lobby. The thin man and the thinner woman had left. The elderly couple had been claimed by another elderly couple and were being steered towards the restaurant. The two businessmen continued to smoke their cigars and discuss whatever they were discussing.

My eyes shifted to the little old woman with her poodle.

Hotel lobbies are cluttered up with little old women: some of them thin, some fat, but always on their own and lonely. This little old woman was a typical specimen. I guessed she had lost her husband, had money, was on a conducted tour of California, and would return to some lonely mansion where a butler and a number of aging maids robbed her blind. She had spent money on herself: her ash-blonde wig was immaculate: her glasses bejeweled: her emerald green dress probably from Balmain, and diamond rings flashed on her fingers.

I became aware she was staring at me and quickly shifted my eyes. In spite of not looking at her, I still felt her staring at me.

Jeepers! I thought, have I started something with this old lonely? It seemed I had for she got out of her chair, picked up the poodle and came over to me.

‘It must be Mr. Jerry Stevens!’ she exclaimed, pausing at my side.

Man! I thought as I stood up. I only need this! I gave her my charming smile.

‘Mr. Stevens! I don’t want to intrude, but I feel I must tell you how much I loved your performance in The Sheriff of X Ranch.’

If ever there was a movie that stank - The Sheriff of X Ranch took the Oscar for all stinkers.

I glued on my charming smile.

‘That’s very kind of you, madam. Thank you.’

‘I’ve been following all your movies, Mr. Stevens,’ she went on. ‘You have an outstanding talent.’

Talent? I could hear Lu’s braying laugh.

I looked directly at her and received a slight shock.

This woman wasn’t the usual hotel lobby loner. There was steel in her dark blue eyes and her lips were paper-thin.

‘Thank you,’ I said, not knowing what else to say.

She peered at me, smiling.

‘I was about to have a late dinner. I wonder if you would join me?’ She paused, then went on, ‘Oh, Mr. Stevens, do be my guest! It would give me so much pleasure!’ Again a pause, then seeing I was floundering, she went on, ‘I would so much like to hear about your work, but perhaps you have already dined?’

Dined? My last meal had been a greasy hamburger at midday. I was starving hungry.

All the same, I hesitated. Some forty minutes had dragged by. Mr. Durant had had all the time in the world to hire me. This old woman was obviously loaded. Be my guest. I couldn’t resist such an invitation. The thought of a big, juicy steak and a mass of french fries brought saliva to my mouth.

‘Why, that would be nice. Thank you.’

She patted her hands together.

‘I am so pleased! I didn’t think . . .’ She smiled. ‘Let’s go then. I adore Westerns. I am sure you can tell me how they are made. There must be so many interesting tricks.’ She began to move to the exit. I was surprised. I had imagined we would eat in the hotel restaurant, but as she kept moving, I followed her.

Out on the steps, the doorman lifted his cap and bowed to her, then he whistled. Almost immediately, a dark blue Silver Cloud Rolls Royce appeared out of the darkness. A Japanese, in a grey uniform, wearing a peak cap, had the door open.

‘There is a nice little restaurant,’ she said, pausing. ‘You must know it. The Benbow. Would it bore you to eat there?’

The Benbow! I had never been there, but I knew of it. The best restaurant in the district! Even in my affluent days, I had never dared face their prices. Before I could say anything, she got into the car. A little dazed, but with the black cloud of depression now dispersed, I sat in luxury at her side.

The chauffeur slid into the driving seat and edged the car into the traffic.

‘Madam,’ I said, smiling in her direction. ‘I failed to get your name.’

‘How stupid of me.’ She put her hand on my arm.

The poodle she was nursing shifted off her lap and onto my knees. The little beast began to lick my face. If there is one thing that drives me out of my mind it is to be licked by a dog. I shoved him away with some violence, and as I did so, I felt a sharp prick in my thigh.

The dog, yelping, fell to the floor. I started upright.

‘Madam!’ I exclaimed. ‘Your dog has bitten me!’

‘Dear Mr. Stevens. You must be mistaken. I am sure Cookie would never do anything like that. He is the most gentle little gentleman and he adores . . .

The rest of what she was saying faded into darkness.

* * *

The room was large and comfortably furnished and lit by a number of shaded lamps. I found myself lying on a double bed. My head felt heavy and my mouth was dry. I made an effort and half sat up, staring around in bewilderment. Opposite the end of the bed was a big wall mirror. My reflection as I lay on the bed showed me I was not only bewildered, but not a little frightened.

The luxury of the furnishing did something to reassure me. A lot of money had been spent making this room more than comfortable, and money always reassures me. Heavy window drapes were drawn shut.

I looked at my watch. The time was 8.45. Was it morning or evening? How long had I been lying on this bed? It had been 23.00 when I had got into the Rolls. I thought of the prick in my thigh I had imagined had been a nip from the poodle. It dawned on me, with a feeling of panic, the little old woman had given me at shot of some quick acting drug.

Good God! I thought. I’ve been kidnapped!

I scrambled off the bed and crossed to the window drapes and dragged them back. A solid steel shutter covered the window. I shoved against it, but it was immovable. Turning, I looked around the room to a door. Even as I reached it, I saw there was no handle.

The door was as immovable as the window shutter. I went into the bathroom: deluxe fitments, but no window. I peered into the wall cabinet. It contained two toothbrushes in cellophane wrapping, an electric shaver, a bottle of aftershave, a bath sponge also in cellophane wrapping and toilet soaps. I looked at myself in the shaving mirror. From the stubble on my face, I had only been drugged a few hours.

I made use of the bathroom facilities while I tried to control my panic. It was a good move. After shaving and washing, I felt a lot better when I returned to the room. I also became aware I was hungry.

Crossing to the bed, I saw a bell push by the shaded bedside lamp. I hesitated for a moment, then pressed the button. I kept my finger on it for several seconds before releasing it.

Then I sat in a big lounging chair and waited. I didn’t have to wait long. The door without a handle slid aside and a man, pushing a trolley, entered. The door snapped shut behind him.

This man was a giant. He was a good six inches taller than myself and I am six foot one. He had shoulders a weight lifter would envy and huge muscular hands. His head was completely shaved and his face was something out of a horror comic: thick nose, lipless mouth and small glittering eyes. Working in Westerns, I had come across a lot of rough-toughs, playing baddies, but off the set, they had been as gentle as kittens: but not this man: he would be as unpredictable as a gorilla and as dangerous as a wounded tiger.

He pushed the trolley into the center of the room, then looked at me. His savage little eyes chilled me. I began to say something, but stopped. He frankly scared the hell out of me. I just sat there and watched him stalk to the door which slid open and snapped shut behind him.

I took out my handkerchief and wiped off my hands and face, but the aroma of cooked food brought me to my feet. I went to the trolley. What a feast! A thick, juicy steak, a bowl of sizzling french fries, a pile of pancakes oozing maple syrup, toast, butter, marmalade and a pint sized pot of coffee.

I pulled up a chair and gorged myself. Food gives strength, I told myself, as I cut into the steak. Okay, I had been kidnapped, but at least, I wasn’t going to starve.

When I had finished eating, making sure there was nothing left, I found a pack of Chesterfields and a lighter on the trolley. I lit up and went back to the lounging chair and sat down.

I was now much more relaxed. I thought about last night and the little old woman. It seemed to me she must be connected with Mr. Durant. This could only be the explanation of my kidnapping. I hopefully reasoned that Mr. Durant had decided I was the type he was looking for, and for reasons best known to himself, had brought me to this room, to extend the audition. Then I thought about the Ape who had brought in the trolley and I began to sweat again. I told myself not to start heroics with him. Tangling with him would be like tangling with a buzz saw, and that I was not going to do.

So I waited and sweated.

A half hour crept by. I kept looking at my watch, wondering when the action would begin. I had smoked four cigarettes and was beginning to fidget when the door snapped open and the ape man came in. He was followed by a short, swarthy complexioned man I immediately recognized by his lizard skin shoes as Joseph Durant.

As I made a move to get to my feet, he said in a hard metallic voice, ‘Stay seated, Mr. Stevens.’

He walked to a lounging chair and sat down. I studied him. Lu’s description had been accurate, but Lu hadn’t added that this man not only gave off the aroma of wealth, but he also gave off an unmistakable aroma of sinister menace.

I glanced at the Ape, standing by the door. He was staring at me the way a tiger stares at a prospective meal. I decided to wait for Durant to make the opening move.

He took his time. His hard black eyes studied me, then he inclined his head in what I hoped was a nod of approval.

‘Mr. Stevens,’ he said finally, ‘you are naturally wondering what this is all about. There is no need for you to be alarmed. It was necessary to bring you here the way you were brought here.’

‘Kidnapping is a Federal offence,’ I said, annoyed that my voice sounded so husky.

‘So I believe.’ He looked at his fingernails. ‘This isn’t the moment, Mr. Stevens, to discuss the legal aspects of bringing you here. Later, perhaps, but not now.’ He crossed one solid leg over the other and swung a lizard skin shoe in my direction. ‘There are facts about you, I need to confirm.’ He paused, then went on, ‘You are a bit-part actor with some success in Western movies. You have been unemployed for some six months. You are looking for work.’ He eyed me. ‘Is that correct?’

‘Well, yes. I am looking for work,’ I said defensively. ‘Westerns are not the in-thing at the moment. They . . .’

He cut me short.

‘You have no money. In fact, Mr. Stevens, you not only have no money, but you are in debt and you owe rent. Is that correct?’

I shrugged.

‘Correct.’

He nodded.

‘I believe I can offer you employment,’ he said. ‘The financial return to you will be more than adequate. I am prepared to pay you one thousand dollars a day for at least thirty days, possibly longer, providing you are prepared to conform to certain conditions.’

For a long moment, I sat still, stunned.

One thousand dollars a day for at least thirty days, possibly longer!

This can’t be true, I thought. Where’s the catch?

Yet looking at this man, I realized that one thousand dollars a day to him would be chick-feed. As Lu had said this man stank of money.

But I wasn’t so bemused as to grab at such an offer. There was something about this man that warned me I could be walking into trouble. Again, I glanced at the Ape, standing motionless, glaring at me.

‘That sounds interesting, Mr. Durant,’ I said in my nonchalant voice. ‘What are the conditions?’

‘I want to buy your full hearted cooperation,’ he returned. ‘I understand that you have a placid temperament. Is that correct?’

‘That depends. I’ve never had trouble with my directors. I’ve . . .’

He cut me off with a wave of his hand.

‘Whole hearted cooperation. Let me spell it out. I will only hire you at one thousand dollars a day if you will do exactly what I tell you to do without any query or hesitation. That is what I mean by wholehearted cooperation. What I will ask you to do will not be dangerous, won’t be breaking the law and won’t be beyond your powers. You either give me your wholehearted cooperation or you don’t get hired.’

There must be a catch in this, I thought, but my mind was already browsing over the thought of one thousand dollars a day.

‘Just what is it, you want me to do?’

He studied me for a long, uncomfortable moment.

‘So you are not prepared to give me your wholehearted cooperation without further details? Be sure about this.’

Was there a warning in his voice? I began to sweat again. To be paid one thousand dollars a day would be marvelous, but I felt in my bones there must be a catch in it. The kidnapping, the Ape, this big money bait and Durant, looking like someone connected with the Mafia, made up a scene that scared me. It won’t be dangerous, won’t be breaking the law, won’t be beyond your powers. This was too glib. In spite of being desperate to earn money, I wasn’t going to walk into anything, blind.

‘No,’ I said firmly, ‘I’m not prepared to give you my wholehearted cooperation unless you tell me just what it is you want me to do.’

I heard a low growling noise from the Ape: a sound like distant thunder. Durant scratched his forehead, frowned, then shrugged.

‘Very well, Mr. Stevens. I had hoped that this offer of money would be enough for you to agree to any work offered to you.’

‘Then you are mistaken. So what do you want me to do?’

His thin lips parted in a wintry smile.

‘As you insist, I will give you some idea of what will be required of you.’ He paused, then taking out a lizard skin cigar case, he selected a cigar, rolled the cigar between his lips, then nipped off the end with a gold cigar cutter. He glanced over his shoulder at the Ape, who moved forward, struck a match and held the flame while Durant puffed.

While this was going on, I shook out a cigarette from the pack of Chesterfields and lit up.

‘I need you to impersonate a man who resembles you,’ Durant said, behind a cloud of rich smelling smoke.

This was the last thing I expected to hear.

‘Impersonate? Who is this man?’

‘For the moment, that is something you needn’t know.’

‘Why is it necessary for me to impersonate this man?’

Durant made a movement as if a fly was irritating him.

‘The man you will be impersonating needs freedom of movement,’ he said, a sudden rasp of impatience in his voice. ‘He is being constantly watched by a group of people. His freedom of movement is essential for promoting an important business deal. As he is being harassed by his business rivals and the press, we have decided to hire a standin — that is the word, I believe, you use in the movie world: a man who will draw off this group and the press who are becoming a nuisance, while the man you will be impersonating will be able to leave the country, travel in Europe and complete this deal without the constant worry of being followed and spied on. Once the deal has been completed, you will be able to return to your normal way of life with some thirty thousand dollars in your bank.’

I sat back and thought about this while Durant smoked and stared away from me. I had read enough about industrial spies. Once, I had played an industrial spy in a low grade movie. The machinations of the big wheelers to put through a deal had long ceased to surprise me. If this big wheel was being spied on, it seemed to me to be a smart move to hire a standin. It wouldn’t bother me to be spied on, and there was this bait of one thousand dollars a day.

‘But why the kidnapping?’ I asked to gain time.

Durant let out an exasperated sigh.

‘Now you have been told what you are required to do,’ he said impatiently, ‘you must see the utmost secrecy was necessary. No one knows you are here. You don’t know where you are. Should you decline to cooperate, you will again be drugged and returned to your apartment.’

Again I thought, then said, ‘How do I know I will be paid when I have completed the job?’

The wintry smile returned. He took from his wallet a slip of paper. The Ape moved forward, took it from him and handed it to me. It was a credit note on the Chase National Bank for one thousand dollars in my name.

‘Every day you are here and working for me, you will be given a similar credit note,’ Durant said. ‘You don’t have to worry about money.’

I no longer hesitated.

It won’t be dangerous, won’t be breaking the law, won’t be beyond your powers.

So why not?

‘Okay, Mr. Durant,’ I said. ‘You have yourself a deal.’

‘It is understood then, Mr. Stevens,’ he said, his black eyes like the points of an icepick, ‘I am buying your wholehearted cooperation? You will do exactly what you will be told to do?’

Just for a moment I wavered, then made my decision.

‘You have yourself a deal,’ I repeated.