jamesclavell.noblehouse-第159章

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　〃Oh　yes；　of　course。　I'm　having　it　retyped；〃　Dunross　said。　〃It　seems　there's　only　one　copy。　If　you'll　bear　with　me？〃
　〃Of　course。　Thanks。〃
　〃Give　my　best　to　Fleur。〃　Dunross　watched　him　go；　glad　that　Marlowe　understood　the　difference　between　trading　and　black　marketeering。　His　eyes　fell　on　the　Chinese　SI　man　who　still　watched　him　over　the　magazine。　He　walked　slowly　back　to　the　bar　as　though　lost　in　thought。　When　he　was　safe　inside　he　said　quickly；　〃Feng；　there's　a　bloody　newsman　downstairs　I　don't　want　to　see。〃
　At　once　the　barman　opened　the　countertop。　〃It's　a　pleasure；　tai…pan；〃　he　said；　smiling；　not　believing　the　excuse　at　all。　His　customers　frequently　used　the　servants'　exit　behind　the　bar。　As　women　were　not　allowed　inside　the　bar；　it　was　usual　that　it　was　a　woman　who　was　to　be　avoided　outside。　Now　what　whore　would　the　tai…pan　want　to　avoid？　he　asked　himself；　bemused；　watching　him　leave　a　generous　tip　and　hurry　away　through　the　exit。
　Once　on　the　street　in　the　side　alley　Dunross　walked　quickly　around　the　corner　and　got　a　taxi；　hunching　down　into　the　back。
　〃Aberdeen；〃　he　ordered　and　gave　directions　in　Cantonese。
　〃Ayeeyah；　like　an　arrow；　tai…pan；〃　the　driver　said　at　once；　brightening　as　he　recognized　him。　〃May　I　ask　what　are　the　chances　for　Saturday？　Rain　or　no　rain？〃
　〃No　rain；　by　all　the　gods。〃
　〃Eeeee；　and　the　winner　of　the　fifth？〃
　〃The　gods　haven't　whispered　it　to　me；　nor　the　foul　High　Tigers　who　bribe　jockeys　or　drug　horses　to　cheat　honest　people　out　of　an　honest　gamble。　But　Noble　Star　will　be　trying。〃
　〃All　the　fornicators'll　be　trying；〃　the　driver　said　sourly；　〃but　who's　the　one　chosen　by　the　gods　and　by　the　High　Tiger　of　Happy　Valley　Racetrack？　What　about　Pilot　Fish？〃
　〃The　stallion's　good。〃
　〃Butterscotch　Lass？　Banker　Kwang　needs　a　change　of　luck。〃
　〃Yes。　The　Lass's　good　too。〃
　〃Will　the　market　go　down　more；　tai…pan？〃
　〃Yes；　but　buy　Noble　House　at　a　quarter　to　three　on　Friday。〃
　〃At　what　price？〃
　〃Use　your　head；　Venerable　Brother。　Am　I　Old　Blind　Tung？〃
　
　Orlanda　and　Linc　Bartlett　were　dancing　very　close　in　the　semidarkness　of　the　nightclub；　feeling　the　length　of　each　other。　The　music　was　soft　and　sensual；　the　beat　good；　the　band　Filipino；　and　the　great　mirrored　luxurious　room　was　deftly　pool　lit；　with　private　alcoves　and　low　deep　chaises　around　low　tables　and　tuxedoed　waiters　with　pencil　flashlights　like　so　many　fireflies。　Many　girls　in　colorful　evening　dresses　sat　together　chatting　or　watching　the　few　dancers。　From　time　to　time　singly　or　in　pairs　they　would　join　a　man　or　men　at　the　tables　to　ply　them　with　laughter　and　conversation　and　drinks　and；　after　a　quarter　of　an　hour　or　so；　move　on；　their　movements　delicately　orchestrated　by　the　ever…watchful　mama…san　and　her　helpers。　The　mama…san　here　was　a　lithe　attractive　Shanghainese　woman　in　her　fifties；　well　dressed　and　discreet。　She　spoke　six　languages　and　was　responsible　to　the　owner　for　the　girls。　On　her　depended　the　success　or　failure　of　the　business。　The　girls　obeyed　her　totally。　So　did　the　bouncers　and　waiters。　She　was　the　nucleus；　the　queen　of　her　domain；　and　as　such；　fawned　upon。
　It　was　rare　for　a　man　to　bring　a　date　though　it　was　not　resented　…　providing　the　tip　was　generous　and　the　drinks　continuous。　Dozens　of　these　pleasure　places　of　the　night　were　spread　about　the　Colony；　a　few　private；　most　open；　catering　to　men　…　tourists；　visitors　or　Hong　Kong　yan。　All　were　well　stocked　with　dancing　partners　of　all　races。　You　paid　them　to　sit　with　you；　to　chat　or　to　laugh　or　to　listen。　Prices　varied；　quality　varied　with　your　choice　of　place；　the　purpose　always　the　same。　Pleasure　for　the　guest。　Money　for　the　house。
　Linc　Bartlett　and　Orlanda　were　closer　now；　swaying　more　than　dancing；　her　head　soft　against　his　chest。　One　of　her　hands　was　gently　on　his　shoulder；　the　other　held　by　his；　cool　to　his　touch。　He　had　one　arm　almost　around　her；　his　hand　resting　on　her　waist。　She　felt　his　warmth　deep　in　her　loins　and　almost　absently；　her　fingers　caressed　the　nape　of　his　neck　and　she　eased　a　little　closer；　drawn　by　the　music。　Her　feet　followed　his　perfectly；　so　did　her　body。　In　a　moment　she　felt　his　stirring　and　then　his　length。
　How　do　I　deal　with　him　tonight？　she　asked　herself　dreamily；　loving　the　night　and　how　perfect　it　had　been。　Do　I　or　don't　I？　Oh　how　I　want　。。。
　Her　body　seemed　to　be　moving　of　its　own　volition；　now　even　closer；　her　back　slightly　arched；　loins　forward。　A　wave　of　heat　swept　her。
　Too　much　heat；　she　thought。　With　an　effort　she　pulled　herself　back。
　Bartlett　sensed　her　leaving　him。　His　hand　stayed　on　her　waist　and　he　held　her　against　him；　feeling　nothing　but　her　body　under　his　hand；　no　undergarment。　So　rare。　Just　flesh　under　the　gossamer　chiffon　。。。　and　more　warmth　than　flesh。　Jesus！
　〃Let's　sit　for　a　moment；〃　she　said　throatily。
　〃When　the　dance　ends；〃　he　muttered。
　〃No；　no；　Linc；　my　legs　feel　weak。〃　With　an　effort　she　put　both　hands　around　his　neck　and　leaned　back　a　little；　keeping　herself　against　him　but　letting　him　take　some　of　her　weight。　Her　smile　was　vast。　〃I　may　fall。　You　wouldn't　want　me　to　fall；　would　you？〃
　〃You　can't　fall；〃　he　said；　smiling　back。　〃No　way。〃
　〃Please　。。。〃
　〃You　wouldn't　want　me　to　fall　would　you？〃
　She　laughed　and　her　laugh　thrilled　him。　Jesus；　he　thought；　slow　down；　she's　got　you　going。
　For　a　moment　they　danced；　but　apart；　and　that　cooled　him　a　little。　Then　he　turned　her　and　followed　her　close　and　they　sat　down　at　their　table；　lounging　on　their　sofa；　still　aware　of　their　closeness。　Their　legs　touched。
　〃The　same；　sir？〃　the　dinner…jacketed　waiter　asked。
　〃Not　for　me；　Linc；〃　she　said；　wanting　to　curse　the　waiter　for　his　ineptness；　their　drinks　not　yet　finished。
　〃Another　crème　de　menthe？〃　Bartlett　said。
　〃Not　for　me；　truly；　thanks。　But　you　have　one。〃
　The　waiter　vanished。　Bartlett　would　have　preferred　a　beer　but　he　didn't　want　that　smell　on　his　breath　and；　even　more；　he　did　not　want　to　spoil　the　most　perfect　meal　he　had　ever　had。　The　pasta　had　been　wonderful；　the　veal　tender　and　juicy　with　a　lemon　and　wine　sauce　that　was　mouth　tingling；　the　salad　perfect。　Then　zabaglione；　mixed　in　front　of　him；　eggs　and　Marsala　and　magic。　And　always　her　radiance；　the　touch　of　her　perfume。
　〃This　is　the　best　evening　I've　had　in　years。〃
　She　raised　her　glass　with　mock　solemnity。　〃Here's　to　many　more；〃　she　said。　Yes；　here's　to　many　many　more　but　after　we're　married；　or　at　least　engaged。　You're　too　heady；　Linc　Bartlett；　too　tuned　in　to　my　psyche；　too　strong。　〃I'm　glad　you've　enjoyed　it。　So　have　I。　Oh　yes；　so　have　I！〃　She　saw　his　eyes　slide　off　her　as　a　hostess　brushed　by；　her　gown　low　cut。　The　girl　was　lovely；　barely　twenty；　and　she　joined　a　group　of　boisterous　Japanese　businessmen　with　many　girls　at　a　corner　table。　At　once　another　girl　got　up　and　excused　herself　and　went　away。　Orlanda　watched　him　watching　them；　her　mind　now　crystal　clear。
　〃Are　they　all　for　hire？〃　he　asked　involuntarily。
　〃For　pillowing？〃
　His　heart　missed　a　beat　and　he　glanced　back　at　her；　all　attention。　〃Yes；　I　suppose　that's　what　I　meant；〃　he　said　cautiously。
　〃The　answer's　no；　and　yes。〃　She　kept　her　smile　gentle；　her　voice　soft。　〃That's　like　most　things　in　Asia；　Linc。　Nothing's　ever　really　no　or　yes。　It's　always　maybe。　It　depends　on　the　availability　of　a　hostess。　It　depends　on　the　man；　the　money　and　the　amount　she's　in　debt。〃　Her　smile　was　mischievous。　〃Perhaps　I　shall　just　point　you　in　the　right　direction　but　then　you'd　be　up　to　no　good　…　because　you　fascinate　all　pretty　ladies；　big　strong　man　like　you　heya？〃
　〃e　on；　Orlanda！〃　he　said　with　a　laugh　as　she　aped　a　coolie　accent。
　〃I　saw　you　notice　her。　I　don't　blame　you；　she's　lovely；〃　she　said；　envying　the　girl　her　youth　but　not　her　life。
　〃What　did　you　mean　about　debts？〃
　〃When　a　girl　first　es　to　work　here　she　has　to　look　pretty。　Clothes　are　expensive；　hairdressing　expensive；　stockings；　makeup；　everything　expensive；　so　the　mama…san　…　that's　the　woman　who　looks　after　the　girls　…　or　the　nightclub　owner　will　advance　the　girl　enough　to　buy　all　the　things　she　needs。　Of　course　in　the　beginning　all　the　girls　are　young　and　frivolous；　fresh　like　a　first　rose　of　summer；　so　they　buy　and　buy　and　then　they　have　to　pay　back。　Most　have　nothing　when　they　begin；　just　themselves　…　unless　they've　been　a　hostess　in　another　club　and　have　a　following。　Girls　change　nightclubs；　Linc；　naturally；　once　they're　out　of　debt。　Sometimes　an　owner　will　pay　the　debts　of　a　girl　to　acquire　her　and　her　followers　…　many　girls　are　very　popular　and　sought　after。　For　a　girl　it　can　be　well　paying；　if　you　can　dance；　converse　and　speak　several　languages。〃
　〃Their　debts're　heavy　then？〃
　〃Perpetual。　The　longer　they　stay　the　harder　it　is　to　look　pretty　so　the　more　the　cost。　Interest　on　the　debt　is　20　percent　at　the　very　least。　In　the　first　months　the　girl　can　earn　much　to　pay　back　much　but　never　enough。〃　A　shadow　passed　over　her　face。　〃Interest　builds　up；　the　debt　builds　up。　Not　all　patrons　are　patient。　So　the　girl　has　to　seek　other　forms　of　financing。　Sometimes　she　has　to　borrow　from　loan　sharks　to　pay　back　the　patron。　Inevitably　she　seeks　help。　Then　one　night　the　mama…son　points　out　a　man。　'He　wants　to　buy　you　out；'　she'll　say。　An…　〃
　〃What　does　that　mean；　to　buy　a　girl　out？〃
　〃Oh　that's　just　a　nightclub　custom　here。　All　the　girls　have　to　be　here　promptly；　say　eight；　when　the　club　opens；　neat　and　groomed。　They　have　to　stay　till　1：00　p。m。　or　they'll　be　fined　…　and　fined　also　if　they　are　absent　or　if　they're　late　or　not　neat　and　not　groomed　and　not　pleasant　to　the　customers。　If　a　man　wants　to　take　a　girl　out　by　himself；　for　dinner　or　whatever；　and　many　customers　just　take　the　girls　for　dinner　…　many　even　take　a　couple　of　girls　for　dinner；　mostly　to　impress　their　friends　…　he　buys　the　girl　out　of　the　club；　he　pays　the　club　a　fee；　the　amount　depends　on　the　time　left　before　closing。　I　don't　know　how　much　she　gets　of　the　fee；　I　think　it's　30　percent；　but　what　she　makes　outside　is　all　hers；　unless　the　mama…son　negotiates　for　her　before　she　leaves。　Then　the　house　gets　a　fee。〃
　〃Always　a　fee？〃
　〃It's　a　matter　of　face；　Linc。　In　this　place；　which　is　one　of　the　best；　to　buy　a　girl　out　it　would　cost　you　about　80　HK　an　hour；　about　16　U。S。〃
　〃That's　not　much；〃　he　said　absently。
　〃Not　much　to　a　millionaire；　my　dear。　But　for　thousands　here；　80　HK　has　to　last　a　family　for　a　week。〃
　Bartlett　was　watching　her；　wondering　about　her；　wanting　her；　so　glad　that　he　didn't　have　to　buy　her　out。　Shit；　that'd　be　terrible。　Or　would　it？　he　asked　himself。　At　least　that　way　it'd　be　a　few　bucks；　then　in　the　sack　and　move　on　again。　Is　that　what　I　want？
　〃What？〃　she　asked。
　〃I　was　just　thinking　what　a　rotten　life　these　girls　have。〃
　〃Oh　not　rotten；　not　rotten　at　all；〃　she　said　with　the　immense　innocence　he　found　shattering。　〃This　is　probably　the　best　time　in　their　lives；　certainly　the　first　time　in　their　lives　they've　ever　worn　anything　pretty；　been　flattered　and　sought　after。　What　other　kind　of　job　can　they　get　if　you're　a　girl　without　a　great　education？　Secretarial　if　you're　lucky；　or　else　in　a　factory；　twelve　to　fourteen　hours　a　day　for　10　HK　a　day。　You　should　go　to　one；　Linc；　see　the　conditions。　I'll　take　you。　Please？　You　must　see　how　people　work；　then　you'll　understand　about　us　here。　I'd　love　to　be　your　gui