J R

  —No just to lend it, to Geneva . . .

  —To, Geneva? he got his feet to the carpet—you mean now?

  —Yes you might phone an airline, she called back to him,—I’m just going to bathe and Jack ask them what time it is . . .?

  —What day it is, he muttered, getting the telephone, scratching as though seeking a place to scratch, dialing, buttoning buttons, getting through in baffled tones and up—forgot to ask what God damned day it is . . .

  —Did you find something? she asked to her own image in the glass, bent close lining an eye,—and the fare?

  —Got three hours, he said brushed close behind where water beaded white missed by the fallen towel,—four hundred sixty-five one way first class but Amy what . . .

  —It’s rather more than I thought, she said as the line went on under her eye without a waver,—Jack please . . . eyeliner paused under the other eye for both to rise to meet his in the glass,—it’s simply something I must do if I don’t go now I’m afraid I, I might never . . . and his eyes fell away, as his hand did, but the eyeliner still paused as though aware his eyes, gone from the glass where he hunched at the bed’s edge, had merely dropped to where his hand had been,—there’s a shopping bag in the kitchen I think, could you get it? please . . .?

  Back with it, he sat fastening up that waist half following contours now no more than that gone in a half slip, the full fall of her breasts as she bent dropping a skirt rolled into the shopping bag, one shoe and then another in after it and then and with the same dispatch one breast and then the other into the scant suspense of a brassiere.—Amy listen what, how long are you going to be gone this whole thing is . . .

  —A few days I don’t know really, maybe weeks Jack where will I find you when I’m back?

  —Just, I don’t know I, getting kind of used to this place feel like I was born here, what’s going to happen to it?

  —Don’t be silly it’s, I suppose it will simply stand empty it was leased on some sort of corporate tax arrangement I think . . . she got a shoe on,—some number where I can call you though? Can you just write it down and put it in my bag? There’s a pen in it . . .

  —Only thing I can, give you Eigen’s number only one I can think of . . . he got a shoe on, getting to her bag.

  —And your penicillin it’s right in the drawer there . . .

  —It’s gone I took it all, still feel like death warmed over.

  —Jack will you see a doctor? if you keep not feeling well will you promise? She turned fastening a last button,—Jack you’re not taking that!

  —Might rain, I just thought I . . .

  —Honestly put it back in the closet! You should have got one at Tripler’s you can get one now, I can drop you . . .

  —Amy listen Amy . . .

  —No Jack please! I, I’ve told you I’m not brave Jack if I stop now I, it’s simply something I must do can you get that shopping bag? I think my mascara’s run . . .

  —But, God damn it it’s not you I don’t trust Amy it’s life, it’s the whole God damned . . .

  —Jack please please just, just tell me you’ll work on your book while I’m gone that you’ll really start today on it that you won’t have any more of these silly ideas about, about what’s not worth doing and all of your . . .

  —But Amy with you gone the whole God damned thing will, get out and see myself in the daylight wonder what in hell you ever saw in me that . . .

  —Jack don’t talk that way! She leaned close to the glass again, touching at a line under one eye, and then the other.—I love you for reasons you’ll never know anything about, she said paused there a moment longer, looking, before she turned away to leave the mirror free to lamp and heads of beds empty across the gap, reached his arm through the door.—What else is this you’ve got?

  —Scotch, hardly drank any of it . . .

  —And Jack you won’t drink a lot?

  —No I, no . . . he cleared his throat, stopped behind her at that expanse of white sofa to sweep up the yellow robe half from the floor there, hold it up with the tear in it—not taking this?

  —What? she turned where she had the door opened off the foyer looking up as though he’d interrupted her looking for reason not to go further, and she pulled it closed sharply,—oh that? No . . . She pulled open the front door,—you thought it was mine . . .? and it snapped closed behind them, a half step before her into the elevator and out of it a half, one behind, sealed by a gaping liveried doorman into a cab off with a jolt that left him heaped in the corner staring along the line of her cheekbone, the clarity of her skin and long fingers putting on dark glasses, down the line of her throat.—The bank shouldn’t take a minute, Jack you’re sure it’s all right?

  —Yes look why don’t I come with you, got enough for two round trips and . . .

  —Don’t be silly, driver can you wait . . .?

  And out of the bank behind her,—wish at least you’d taken enough for the round trip Amy God damn it suppose you . . .

  —Jack don’t be silly, driver will you stop at Tripler’s please?

  —No but, Amy!

  —No Jack please . . . she caught his hand and held it there against the seat, turned to the window from him gazing with such concentration he might have been trying to commit to memory each delicate convolution of her ear.—To leave you on a day like this in that poor poplin suit I do hope your new one’s ready today, they said it should be . . . they slowed in toward the curb,

  —Amy listen . . .

  —And it’s begun to rain Jack please, please take care of yourself and, not so, Jack please I can’t breathe . . .

  —When you’re back Amy listen instant you’re back . . .

  —And Jack do get yourself a raincoat too oh I hope your suit’s ready . . . her hand gone white holding his—I, I’d so wanted to see you in it . . .

  —Amy . . .! he came a step after the slam of the door, the bottle in the paper bag under his arm threatened by elbows as the light changed, stung there by a horn, abruptly nuzzled by a yellow fender to recover the curb and mount the sheer affront of his reflection against crisp shirtings displayed with discreet worsteds and unworn shoes beyond the glass.

  —Mister Gibbs? that’s not you is it?

  —Me?

  —May not remember me my name’s Beamish? on the Schramm estate? I, trust I haven’t made a mistake . . .?

  —Ay Beamis sí! No es mí no pero que importa, verdad? Porque me acuerdo de ti sí Señor, y la rubia? es tu Señora? Coño . . .

  —Good heavens I, excuse me sir we . . .

  —Que culo muy rico, mira como tiene el culo en los bolsillos . . .!

  —No no please good heavens, Mrs Schramm quickly I think we’d better . . .

  —Y el pecho tan bueno también pero falta simpatía, me permites tocar adentro Señora?

  —No no good heavens! Excuse us sir yes let’s cross right here Mrs Schramm, quickly while we have the light, Mister Duncan you’re with us?

  —Espérame! espérame . . .!

  —He’s not coming after us? I can’t imagine what, you’re still with us Mister Duncan? Mrs Schramm please let me apologize yes let’s turn up this way, is he gone? I’m afraid I put you in danger Madame but he did look exactly like Mister Gibbs one of the executors but good heavens! There’s a cab Mister Duncan could you hail it, I know Mrs Schramm wants to get home, Madame again please accept my apologies. Since the other executor Mister Eigen failed to drop off those papers, I was a bit hasty when I thought that was Mister Gibbs and hoped he might speed things along but the resemblance was remarkable, and right in front of Tripler’s! Goodbye and I’ll get another set of those papers right up to you no no Mister Duncan wait, where are you going . . .

  —See the lady home . . .

  —No I think she’ll be quite safe now Mister Duncan let’s walk this way, the Waldorf’s just a block or so . . .

  —I thought you were fixing me up with Mrs Schramm.

  —In a manner of speaking Mister Duncan yes b
ut since her position is merely that of a legatee, let’s cross here while we have the light, I think your interests will be best served by talking with someone directly concerned with the corporate . . .

  —I just want to get fixed up and get back to Zanesville.

  —I quite understand yes, there’s the Waldorf up ahead, I was going to say in case none of the principals from the parent company is here I’m sure Mister Davidoff will be able to fix you up as you say, but I should prepare you for him, let’s go right in this entrance. He’s merely their public relations account executive but he seems to have taken a good many prerogatives in the operations area upon himself and if you find him a bit high-handed I would simply counsel patience, the elevators are right over here yes I’ve the suite number written down somewhere. Apparently they’ve scheduled some sort of meeting of division heads and even though I’ve been retained as counsel by the parent company in the course of this Triangle acquisition, I must be frank to say I’m as yet unfamiliar with the entire extent of their holdings which appear quite diverse, this is our floor yes, down this way. In fact the entire situation is moving with a rapidity to which I’m quite unaccustomed but then times change don’t they Mister Duncan, that door next after the armed guard I believe. I’m a bit old-fashioned but I put it all down to the decline from status to contract, oh is it locked? Just knock yes, the key to the whole thing I believe, the decline from status to contract . . .

  —Come in, is that room service Virginia?

  —No sir it’s just, oh it’s you Mister Beamish did Mister Davidoff expect you?

  —I believe I gave you a message for him to that effect when I called yes, we . . .

  —That you’re bringing up Mister Brisboy that’s right I forgot I told him, anyway he’s over there on the telephone and the other gentlemen are having something, would you gentlemen like a sandwich or a shot or anything while you wait?

  —No I think not Virginia thank you, this is Mister Duncan and I believe he’s in rather a hurry let’s just wait right over here Mister Duncan . . .

  —Maybe you could just fix me up with her.

  —Pardon? Virginia? I hardly think so Mister Duncan, I understand she’s been with the parent company for some time but she’s hardly in a position to resolve your problem, she’s only a sort of secretary receptionist after all and hardly the most brilliant one at that, this is Mister Davidoff here and I’m sure he’ll be off the phone in a moment or two . . .

  —Sir . . .? Correct General affirmative yes sir an honorary doctor of laws sir they . . . of what sir? of humane letters? I’ll ask them immediately sir I’m sure they . . . that they may not have been aware that you painted yes sir they . . . in Life Magazine yes sir but of course that was some years . . . Yes sir the university is fully aware of your help in placing these government research contracts there sir but our new head of R and D at Ray-X is still working out Virginia take Mister Brisboy’s coat there excuse me sir, sir . . .? Yes sir the government contracts with Ray-X are all bought in sir they just have to come up with some products to . . . one called Frigicom yes sir a new method of . . . Cost overruns of course sir Virginia get me that backgrounder on Frigicom to read to the General over the . . . Oh to send your aide for it yes sir we . . . subject to a onceover by our legal eagle here yes sir you know what a stickler the Boss is for . . . When he called this morning yes sir he . . . yes I have trouble understanding him on the phone sometimes too sir but this was in a written memo he . . . his handwriting yes I do too sir but . . . Can do yes sir, Virginia run this last memo from the Boss through the typewriter for General Haight better make eight copies Beamish here will want one too and . . . sir? Yes sir you bet your . . . I said affirmative yes sir goodbye sir, oh and Virginia show me that before you send it out the last time I gave you dictation and you typed dental for oriental where did these scrambled eggs come from, see what it’s like trying to run the store camped out in a hotel suite with no exec on board Brisboy oh and Virginia, that black sitting over in the corner if he’s here to put in this other phone line tell him to get to it, he’s not being paid to sit there looking at what’s he looking at, an old Ray-X toy catalog?

  —I just gave him it to look at Mister Davidoff, it’s got all these pictures and he don’t read any English he . . .

  —Well who is he what’s he doing here and while you’re over there Virginia look in the box under that blue chaise longue, the file marked Health Package Mister Brisboy here will want a look at it for the cemetery tie-in that reminds me Brisboy you’ve got an apology coming, when the press boys called about your Wagner Funeral Homes chain joining up with the J R Corp Family of Companies here I was busy on these Indians and put Virginia there on the phone with some notes of mine where I’d abbreviated funeral fun, gave them the idea we’d picked up a string of massage parlors to work into this whole nursing home to cemetery package, really hit the fan if we don’t clear it up I thought we could put you onto them later for a statement got somebody working on it now Beamish I know she’s been with the Boss since he got started, the only reason I kept her on when he closed down the midtown office and sent her along I thought she had an inside look at operations maybe you can talk Mister Bast into using her at uptown headquarters I couldn’t, look at that beam she fills half the room when she stoops over in that print dress takes off her earring every time she answers the phone and then stops to put it back on see what I mean Beamish, I’ve got to get a gal in here who can see what it’s like Mister Brisboy trying to keep score with what is it now Virginia?

  —It’s this man at the door he . . .

  —If it’s that soldier boy give him a copy of that feature on Frigicom you’ll want to give that a onceover before it goes out Beamish oh and Virginia that memo from the Boss I told you to run through the typewriter better give him two copies and give one to Beamish here where is it.

  —I just started it Mister Davidoff but this man at the door has this big package for Mister Bast he says it’s this golf practice set which . . .

  —See what I mean Beamish the piano’s one thing but setting up a golf course in the middle of Virginia just give him the headquarters office address uptown let them lay it out up there it’s where Mister Bast spends most of his time, the Boss has him all tied up on this foundation music grant project why he wants me here on deck for these brush fires the shape he’s in I don’t think Mister Bast can handle them, I showed him this big Alsaka Development story and he just drew a blank standing here like that hearing aid was tuned in on outer space looks like he’s lost twenty pounds squaring up this music project before he leaves tomorrow for Virginia call Piscator see if he’s got the all clear on this company logo, the Boss wants it painted on the tail of the company plane before Mister Bast flies out to that Wonder funeral tomorrow may have told you Beamish, he’s stopping off there on the way to this Indian pageant we’ve worked up to wait if you’ve got Piscator on the phone I’d better, who?

  —It’s . . .

  —If it’s Mister Ten-forty tell him to get up here before we lose Mooneyham, may want to get in on this yourself Brisboy our personnel man’s coming in to put the division heads over there through their paces some kind of decision making session the Boss had him work up who is it Virginia?

  —It’s the hotel manager’s office they’re calling Mister Bast . . .

  —Tell them we expect him any minute he, here give me that, hello . . .? No this is Mister Davidoff what . . . Not to Mister Bast no you’re billing this suite to Pomerance Associates and we’re billing the client that’s all you . . . what? What do you mean General Haight’s suite you’re not billing that to us or to J R Corp either no he . . . he’s on the board of directors yes but when we took this suite over and moved him up the hall your PR boys took him on as a guest of the hotel for the mileage you could get out of having a retired three star . . . Three no three moved up a grade on retirement he . . . I didn’t tell your PR boys he was in charge of commissaries over there because they didn’t ask me now what . .
. No I don’t know how long he’s going to stay here no but before you pull that you’d better tie up your . . . yes goodbye somebody at the door there Virginia did you get out that file for Mister Brisboy here?

  —Excuse me Mister Davidoff before we go further, this is not Mister Brisboy but Mister Duncan, and I believe he . . .

  —Duncan?

  —Mister Duncan, yes. In connection with the Triangle Products acquisition I believe Mister Duncan had been led to understand his firm was an object of interest to the parent company in light of its indebtedness to Triangle, however . . .

  —Don’t worry about it Mister Duncan, Beamish here gets his signals crossed sometimes but everything’s under Virginia get Skinner out of the bedroom, show you the dummy he’s laying out in there Duncan you’ll get a real look at who’s at the door . . .

  —Some man that says he plays the bass flute with a little mustache he . . .

  —One thing we really need right now tell him to try the grand ballroom and tell Skinner to bring out that woman really topflight track record in curriculum management Duncan one look at what she’s got spread out in there and you’ll see what that big story we got in Monday’s Times was all about somebody on the phone?

  —Mister Davidoff before we go further, I believe some confusion has occurred between this Mister Duncan’s firm, with its reputation as a leading producer of wallpaper . . .

  —Wallpaper like his dry humor don’t you Duncan oh Virginia if it’s those two Indian boys calling tell them to stay right where they are send somebody right out to get them, lose them now and the Boss will really who is it . . .

  —It’s some magazine they . . .

  —Tell them I’m in a meeting and get Skinner out here with wait give it to me, hello . . .? No he’s not who . . . statement he gave you on the phone what statement he . . . Wait you called him where last night he’s been out of town since . . . Mister Bast isn’t here either no he works out of uptown operations headquarters we’re just camped out here handling their corporate PR till the lease is signed on that building at Madison and . . . because right now I’m probably closer to this acquisition picture than Mister Bast is that’s why, got the lawyer who set up the Triangle deal sitting right in front of me now what . . . Well who said Mister Bast wasn’t still executive officer of the parent company trouble with you press boys listen to each other’s rumors instead of . . . what? Because he’s been busy on this foundation grant don’t even read the releases we send you Virginia get a copy of the press release on this J R Foundation grant to encourage symphonic . . . what? Well what did you call about then . . . Rumor that’s what I just said about you boys listening to . . . point eight million this year who wouldn’t grab the tax loss but there’s no plan to liquidate no, the magazine’s being acquired to round out this whole vertical integration picture wood pulp source through paper manufacture with the Triangle deal into this field growing faster than defense getting the publishing end under one roof and any sales of Her magazine’s fixed assets are leasebacks or duplication with the Duncan facilities got Duncan himself right here in front of me taking over his whole line, prestige backlist new titles in the trade end pulling together a children’s encyclopedia expanding the whole textbook operation and this revamped women’s mag laying out the new dummy right now a whole new concept in . . . changing the title to She yes that’s all I can tell you a whole new concept in . . . saw that too yes if Time magazine thinks we’re going to lose our shirt on it they . . . Because those boys still think à la nineteenth century just ask them how much it costs them to get one subscription one new subscription just one new sub . . . what? Who said anything about paper clothes . . . no we’ve got the division head from Eagle Mills here I’ll check it out call us later Virginia? Get Mister Hopper over there out of that melon long enough to see if he’s getting into paper clothes heard anything on that one Beamish?