merton of the movies-第33章

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〃Of　course　I　could　have　written　to　Gashwiler　and　got　some　money　to　go　back　there〃

〃Gashwiler；　Gashwiler？〃　The　girl　seemed　to　search　her　memory。　〃I　thought　I　knew　all　the　tank　towns；　but　that's　a　new　one。　Where　is　it？〃

〃It　isn't　a　town；　it's　a　gentleman　I　had　a　position　with；　and　he　said　he'd　keep　it　open　for　me。〃　He　flew　to　another　thought　with　the　inconsequence　of　the　drunken。　〃Say；　Kid〃He　had　even　caught　that　form　of　address　from　her〃I'll　tell　you。　You　can　keep　this　watch　of　mine　till　I　pay　you　back　this　money。〃　He　drew　it　out。　〃It's　a　good　solid…gold　watch　and　everything。　My　uncle　Sylvester　gave　it　to　me　for　not　smoking；　on　my　eighteenth　birthday。　He　smoked；　himself；　he　even　drank　considerable。　He　was　his　own　worst　enemy。　But　you　can　see　it's　a　good　solidgold　watch　and　keeps　time；　and　you　hold　it　till　I　pay　you　back；　will　you？〃

The　girl　took　the　watch；　examining　it　carefully；　noting　the　inscription　engraved　on　the　case。　There　were　puzzling　glints　in　her　eyes　as　she　handed　it　back　to　him。　〃No；　I'll　tell　you；　it'll　be　my　watch　until　you　pay　me　back；　but　you　keep　it　for　me。　I　haven't　any　place　to　carry　it　except　the　pocket　of　my　jacket；　and　I　might　lose　it；　and　then　where'd　we　be？〃

〃Well；　all　right。〃　He　cheerfully　took　back　the　watch。　His　present　ecstasy　would　find　him　agreeable　to　all　proposals。

〃And　say；〃　continued　the　girl；　〃what　about　this　Gashweiler；　or　whatever　his　name　is？　He　said　he'd　take　you　back；　did　he？　A　farm？〃

〃No；　an　emporiumand　you　forgot　his　name　just　the　way　that　lady　in　the　casting　office　always　does。　She's　funny。　Keeps　telling　me　not　to　forget　the　address；　when　of　course　I　couldn't　forget　the　town　where　I　lived；　could　I？　Of　course　it's　a　little　town；　but　you　wouldn't　forget　it　when　you　lived　there　a　long　timenot　when　you　got　your　start　there。〃

〃So　you　got　your　start　in　this　town；　did　you？〃

He　wanted　to　talk　a　lot　now。　He　prattled　of　the　town　and　his　life　there；　of　the　eight…hour　talent…tester　and　the　course　in　movie…　acting。　Of　Tessie　Kearns　and　her　scenarios；　not　yet　prized　as　they　were　sure　to　be　later。　Of　Lowell　Hardy；　the　artistic　photographer；　and　the　stills　that　he　had　made　of　the　speaker　as　Clifford　Armytage。　Didn't　she　think　that　was　a　better　stage　name　than　Merton　Gill；　which　didn't　seem　to　sound　like　so　much？　Anyway；　he　wished　he　had　his　stills　here　to　show　her。　Of　course　some　of　them　were　just　in　society　parts；　the　sort　of　thing　that　Harold　Parmalee　playedhad　she　noticed　that　he　looked　a　good　deal　like　Harold　Parmalee？　Lots　of　people　had。

Tessie　Kearns　thought　he　was　the　dead　image　of　Parmalee。　But　he　liked　Western　stuff　bettera　lot　better　than　cabaret　stuff　where　you　had　to　smoke　one　cigarette　after　anotherand　he　wished　she　could　see　the　stills　in　the　Buck　Benson　outfit；　chaps　and　sombrero　and　spurs　and　holster。　He'd　never　had　two　guns；　but　the　one　he　did　have　he　could　draw　pretty　well。　There　would　be　his　hand　at　his　side；　and　in　a　flash　he　would　have　the　gun　in　it；　ready　to　shoot　from　the　hip。　And　ropinghe'd　need　to　practise　that　some。　Once　he　got　it　smack　over　Dexter's　head；　but　usually　it　didn't　go　so　well。

Probably　a　new　clothesline　didn't　make　the　best　ropetoo　stiff。　He　could　probably　do　a　lot　better　with　one　of　those　hair　ropes　that　the　real　cowboys　used。　And　Metta　Judsonshe　was　the　best　cook　anywhere　around　Simsbury。　He　mustn't　forget　to　write　to　Metta；　and　to　Tessie　Kearns；　to　be　sure　and　see　The　Blight　of　Broadway　when　it　came　to　the　Bijou　Palace。　They　would　be　surprised　to　see　those　closeups　that　Henshaw　had　used　him　in。　And　he　was　in　that　other　picture。　No　close…ups　in　that；　still　he　would　show　pretty　well　in　the　cage…　scenehe'd　had　to　smoke　a　few　cigarettes　there；　because　Arabs　smoke　all　the　time；　and　he　hadn't　been　in　the　later　scene　where　the　girl　and　the　young　fellow　were　in　the　deserted　tomb　all　night　and　he　didn't　lay　a　finger　on　her　because　he　was　a　perfect　gentleman。

He　didn't　know　what　he　would　do　next。　Maybe　Henshaw　would　want　him　in　Robinson　Crusoe；　Junior；　where　Friday's　sister　turned　out　to　be　the　daughter　of　an　English　earl　with　her　monogram　tattooed　on　her　left　shoulder。　He　would　ask　Henshaw；　anyway。

The　Montague　girl　listened　attentively　to　the　long；　wandering　recital。　At　times　she　would　seem　to　be　strongly　moved；　to　tears　or　something。　But　mostly　she　listened　with　a　sympathetic　smile；　or　perhaps　with　a　perfectly　rigid　face；　though　at　such　moments　there　would　be　those　curious　glints　of　light　far　back　in　her　gray　eyes。　Occasionally　she　would　prompt　him　with　a　question。

In　this　way　she　brought　out　his　version　of　the　Sabbath　afternoon　experience　with　Dexter。　He　spared　none　of　the　details；　for　he　was　all　frankness　now。　He　even　told　how　ashamed　he　had　felt　having　to　lead　Dexter　home　from　his　scandalous　grazing　before　the　Methodist　Church。　He　had　longed　to　leap　upon　the　horse　and　ride　him　back　at　a　gallop；　but　he　had　been　unable　to　do　this　because　there　was　nothing　from　which　to　climb　on　him；　and　probably　he　would　have　been　afraid　to　gallop　the　beast；　anyway。

This　had　been　one　of　the　bits　that　most　strangely　moved　his　listener。　Her　eyes　were　moist　when　he　had　finished；　and　some　strong　emotion　seemed　about　to　overpower　her；　but　she　had　recovered　command　of　herself；　and　become　again　the　sympathetic　provider　and　counsellor。

He　would　have　continued　to　talk；　apparently；　for　the　influence　of　strong　drink　had　not　begun　to　wane；　but　the　girl　at　length　stopped　him。

〃Listen　here；　Merton〃　she　began；　her　voice　was　choked　to　a　peculiar　hoarseness　and　she　seemed　to　be　threatened　with　a　return　of　her　late　strong　emotion。　She　was　plainly　uncertain　of　her　control；　fearing　to　trust　herself　to　speech；　but　presently；　after　efforts　which　he　observed　with　warmest　sympathy；　she　seemed　to　recover　her　poise。　She　swallowed　earnestly　several　times；　wiped　her　moisture　dimmed　eyes　with　her　handkerchief；　and　continued；　〃It's　getting　late　and　I've　got　to　be　over　at　the　show　shop。　So　I'll　tell　you　what　to　do　next。　You　go　out　and　get　a　shave　and　a　haircut　and　then　go　home　and　get　cleaned　upyou　said　you　had　a　room　and　other　clothes；　didn't　you？〃

Volubly　he　told　her　about　the　room　at　Mrs。　Patterson's；　and；　with　a　brief　return　of　lucidity；　how　the　sum　of　ten　dollars　was　now　due　this　heartless　society　woman　who　might　insist　upon　its　payment　before　he　would　again　enjoy　free　access　to　his　excellent　wardrobe。

〃Well；　lemme　see〃　She　debated　a　moment；　then　reached　under　the　table；　fumbled　obscurely；　and　came　up　with　more　money。　〃Now；　here；　here's　twenty　more　besides　that　first　I　gave　you；　so　you　can　pay　the　dame　her　money　and　get　all　fixed　up　again；　fresh　suit　and　clean　collar　and　a　shine　and　everything。　No；　nothis　is　my　scene；　you　stay　out。〃

He　had　waved　protestingly　at　sight　of　the　new　money；　and　now　again　he　blushed。

〃That's　all　understood；〃　she　continued。　〃I'm　staking　you　to　cakes　till　you　get　on　your　feet；　see？　And　I　know　you're　honest；　so　I'm　not　throwing　my　money　away。　Theresink　it　and　forget　it。　Now；　you　go　out　and　do　what　I　said；　the　barber　first。　And　lay　off　the　eats　until　about　noon。　You　had　enough　for　now。　By　noon　you　can　stoke　up　with　meat　and　potatoesanything　you　want　that'll　stick　to　the　merry　old　slats。　And　I'd　take　milk　instead　of　any　more　coffee。　You've　thinned　down　someyou're　not　near　so　plump　as　Harold　Parmalee。　Then　you　rest　up　for　the　balance　of　the　day；　and　you　show　here　to…morrow　morning　about　this　time。　Do　you　get　it？　The　Countess'll　let　you　in。　Tell　her　I　said　to；　and　come　over　to　the　office　building。　See？〃

He　tried　to　tell　her　his　gratitude；　but　instead　he　babbled　again　of　how　much　she　was　like　Tessie　Kearns。　They　parted　at　the　gate。

With　a　last　wondering　scrutiny　of　him；　a　last　reminder　of　her　very　minute　directions；　she　suddenly　illumined　him　with　rays　of　a　compassion　that　was　somehow　half…laughter。　〃You　poor；　feckless　dub！〃　she　pronounced　as　she　turned　from　him　to　dance　through　the　gate。　He　scarcely　heard　the　words；　her　look　and　tone　had　been　so　warming。

Ten　minutes　later　he　was　telling　a　barber　that　he　had　just　finished　a　hard　week　on　the　Holden　lot；　and　that　he　was　glad　to　get　the　brush　off　at　last。　From　the　barber's　he　hastened　to　the　Patterson　house；　rather　dreading　the　encounter　with　one　to　whom　he　owed　so　much　money。　He　found　the　house　locked。　Probably　both　of　the　Pattersons　had　gone　out　into　society。　He　let　himself　in　and　began　to　follow　the　directions　of　the　Montague　girl。　The　bath；　clean　linen；　the　other　belted　suit；　already　pressed；　the　other　shoes；　the　buttoned；　cloth…　topped　ones；　already　polished！　He　felt　now　more　equal　to　the　encounter　with　a　heartless　society　woman。　But；　as　she　did　not　return；　he　went　out　in　obedience　to　a　new　hunger。

In　the　most　sumptuous　cafeteria　he　knew　of；　one　patronized　only　in　his　first　careless　days　of　opulence；　he　ate　for　a　long　time。　Roast　beef　and　potatoes　he　ordered　twice；　nor　did　he　forget　to　drink　the　milk　prescribed　by　his　benefactress。　Plenty　of　milk　would　make　him　more　than　ever　resemble　Harold　Parmalee。　And　he　commanded　an　abundance　of　dessert：　lemon　pie　and　apple　pie　and　a　double　portion　of　chocolate　cake　with　ice…cream。　His　craving　for　sweets　was　still　unappeased；　so　at　a　near…by　drug　store　he　bought　a　pound　box　of　candy。

The　world　was　again　under　his　feet。　Restored　to　his　rightful　domain；　he　trod　it　with　lightness　and　certainty。　His　mind　was　still　a　pleasant　jumble　of　money　and　food　and　the　Montague　girl。　Miles　of　gorgeous　film　flickered　across　his　vision。　An　experienced　alcoholic　would　have　told　him　that　he　enjoyed　a　coffee　〃hang…over。〃　He　wended　a　lordly　way　to　the　nearest　motion…picture　theatre。

Billed　there　was　the　tenth　installment　of　The　Hazards　of　Hortense。　He　passed　before　the　lively　portrayal　in　colours　of　Hortense　driving　a　motor　car　off　an　open　drawbridge。　The　car　was　already　halfway　between　the　bridge　and　the　water　beneath。　He　sneered　openly　at　the　announcement：　〃Beulah　Baxter　in　the　Sensational　Surprise　Picture　of　the　Century。〃　A　surprise　picture　indeed；　if　those　now　entering　the　theatre　could　be　told　what　he　knew　about　it！　He　considered　spreading　the　news；　but　decided　to　retain　the　superiority　his　secret　knowledge　gave　him。

Inside　the　theatre；　eating　diligently　from　his　box　of　candy；　he　was　compelled　to　endure　another　of　the　unspeakable　Buckeye　comedies。　The　cross…eyed　man　was　a　lifeguard　at　a　beach　and　there　were　social　entanglements　involving　a　bearded　father；　his　daughter　in　an　inconsiderable　bathing　suit；　a　confirmed　dipsomaniac；　two　social　derelicts　who　had　to　live　by　their　wits；　and　a　dozen　young　girls　also　arrayed　in　inconsiderable　bathing　suits。　He　could　scarcely　follow　the　chain　of　events；　so　illogical　were　they；　and　indeed　made　little　effort　to　do　so。　He　felt　far　above　the　audience　that　cackled　at　these　dreadful　buffooneries。　One　subtitle　read：　〃I　hate　to　kill　himmurder　is　so　hard　to　explain。〃

This　sort　of　thing；　he　felt　more　than　ever；　degraded　an　art　where　earnest　people　were　suffering　and　sacrificing　in　order　to　give　the　public　something　better　and　finer。　Had　he　not；　himself；　that　very　day；　completed　a　perilous　ordeal　of　suffering　and　sacrifice？　And　he　was　asked　to　laugh　at　a　crosseyed　man　posing　before　a　camera　that　fell　to　pieces　when　the　lens　was　exposed；　shattered；　presumably；　by　the　impact　of　the　afflicted　creature's　image！　This；　surely；　w