I said, “Listen, honey, we gotta go slow for a bit. I was banking on this stuff to get us by for a couple of weeks.”
She looked at me seriously, “You mean you are short of money?”
I shrugged. “Well, yes... I guess that's about right.”
“Is that all? Are you sure that's all?”
It was enough, but I didn't want to worry her. “Yeah, that's all... I'll be just a little short.”
She put her arm round my shoulders. “We'll get by,” she said. “Don't you worry. We don't have to have a lot of money.”
When we got through breakfast I went off to the study and thought things over. I checked my bank deposit and found I was shorter than I imagined. This was getting me worried. I put through a long-distance 'phone-call to one of the editors.
When I got him on the line at last I said, “What's the big idea sending my stuff back?”
“What do you mean?” He sounded curt.
“Look, Johnson, this ain't the way to treat me,” I said. “I've done some good work for you. If you didn't like that article, why not write and tell me what's wrong with it?”
“I'm sorry, Mason, we don't want any more of your stuff. We're looking round for new talent.”
I said, “You don't have to give me this bull. I've been a good friend of yours, Buddy. Why not give it to me straight? I can take it.”
He said very quietly into the 'phone, “Suppose you come up to town and we'll have lunch.”
I said, “I'll do that,” and hung up.
I went out to find Mardi. She was in the suntrap, fixing some flowers.
“I gotta go up to town,” I said. “It's about these articles. I gotta talk things over with the editor.”
She said, “May I come with you? I mean, may I come up and look at the shops while you're busy?”
I shook my head. “Not just yet, honey. I want you to keep out of sight for a little while. I'll be right back.”
She said, “I'll have a nice supper for you.” I could see she didn't like being left, but she wasn't going to make things awkward. I put my arm round her. “Can I bring you anything back?” I said.
She shook her head. “We've got to save our money.”
I laughed. “It ain't so bad as all that.”
“Isn't... not ain't.”
“You're the teacher.”
She looked at me anxiously. “I don't nag you, do I?”
I grinned. “Sure you do... all day an' most of the night.”
I got up to town around twelve o'clock. It seemed all wrong after the silence of the fishing-lodge. I went into a bar and bought myself a drink. After I had wasted a little time I went round to the Globe building.
Johnson was waiting for me outside the place. I thought that was funny, but I didn't say anything. The way he shipped me into a taxi made me think he was anxious not to be seen with me.
I said, “You certainly gave me a surprise.”
He fidgeted with his tie. “Yes, I'm mighty sorry about all this,” he said.
“All right. Let's have a drink first and then we can talk about it. You tell me, how're things with you?”
He shrugged a little. “Oh, I'm making out all right.”
“And the wife?”
“Yes, she's fine.”
We rode the block in silence after that. I was beginning to get the jitters. We got out at a quiet restaurant off the main street that was unlikely to be crowded, and we made our way upstairs.
When we got settled, and after we had knocked back a few drinks, I thought it time for him to get down to things.
“Now, what is all this about?”
“Well, I'm darned sorry about this, Mason, but we just can't take any more of your stuff.”
“Can't or won't?”
He twiddled with his glass, and he wouldn't meet my eye, “It's nothin' to do with me,” he explained hastily. “I've had instructions from the old man.”
I sat back and let that one sink in. As I didn't say anything, he went on, “I guess you've got yourself in bad somehow. The old man's put the bar up.”
“Did he say why?”
Johnson shook his head. “He just sent me a note. You know the type of note he sends out: 'Mr. Hawkins's compliments, and do not accept any further work from Mr. Nick Mason.' ”
I shrugged. “I guess he's gone nuts,” I said. “Here, have another drink.”
We got through the meal somehow and then Johnson took himself off. I could see he was mighty glad to get shot of me. I stayed on after he'd gone and thought about things. Then I paid the bill and went over to a telephone-booth. I rang the press-room and asked for Ackie.
“Listen, Ackie, am I barred?”
“Yeah,” he said, “you're washed up. What can I do about it for you?”
I thought a moment. “This is Spencer's idea of getting me out of town.”
“Looks like it.”
“I'm in a spot, Mo,” I said. “I want some money.”
Ackie gave a groan. “Hell! Is it as bad as that?”
“Well, I guess not as bad as all that. I can run for a couple of weeks, but I've gotta get some dough.”
“You can count on me. I'll let you have some.”
I grinned ruefully into the mouthpiece. “That's swell of you, but I've gotta earn a livin'. You can't keep me and Mardi all your life.”
“Maybe it'll clear up by then, or maybe you'd better get moving.”
I said, “I'll let you know,” and I hung up.
So I was barred. This was serious. I walked out into the street thinking. Spencer looked like getting his own way. I knew I was up against a powerful mob, and I knew when to quit. It looked to me right then that I'd better pack up and move to another State.
I was feeling pretty low by the time I got back to the fishing-lodge. I didn't want to worry Mardi, but at the same time I wanted her to know just how I stood. I didn't know how far Spencer's influence carried. He was rich enough to carry weight with all the nationals. If the bosses had shares in this phoney business, they'd be glad to give him my head on a plate.
I walked up the drive, after I had parked the car in the garage. There was no sign of Mardi. I went quietly so that I should surprise her.
On my way up-town I'd got her two pairs of silk stockings. I'd felt pretty mushy buying them, but once I got clear of the shop I was glad. I guessed she would be pleased, because up to now I hadn't bought her anything.