You bastard! I said. Chenault just showed up at my apartment. She didn’t have anywhere else to go.
He grinned. She could have moved in with me — at least I’m decent.
I snorted. Christ, you’d have finished her off!
I suppose you’re sleeping on the floor, he replied. I know that apartment, Kemp. I know there’s only one bed. Don’t give me this Christian crap.
Christian hell! I said. You’re such a sex-crazy sonofabitch that there’s no sense telling you anything.
He laughed. Calm down, Kemp, you’re getting hysterical — I know you wouldn’t touch the girl, you’re not that way. He laughed again and ordered four more beers.
Just for the record, I said, I’m sending her back to New York.
Probably the best thing, he replied. Any girl that runs off with a pack of bushmen is bad news.
I told you what happened over there, I said. She didn’t run off with anybody.
He shook his head. Forget it, he said wearily. I couldn’t care less. Do whatever you want. I have my own problems.
The beers arrived and I glanced down at my watch. It’s almost noon, I said. You don’t figure on going to work?
I’ll go when I’m drunk enough, he replied. Have another beer — we’ll all be gone by Monday.
We drank steadily for three hours, then we drove down to the office. Lotterman was back, but he’d gone out somewhere. He finally came in about five and called us all together in the middle of the room. Then he climbed up on a desk.
Men, he said. You’ll be happy to know that that goddamn worthless Segarra finally quit. He was the worst goldbricker we’ve ever had in this place and on top of that he was queer — now that he’s gone I think we’ll be all right.
There were a few snickers, then silence.
That’s only part of the good news, he said with a big smile. I suppose you all know the paper hasn’t been making much money lately — well by God we don’t have to worry about that anymore! He paused and looked around. You’ve all heard of Daniel Stein, I guess — well he’s an old friend of mine, and as of Monday morning he’s half-owner of this newspaper. He smiled. I walked into his office and I said, ‘Dan, I want to keep my paper alive,’ and he said, ‘Ed, how much do you need?’ That’s all there was to it His lawyers are fixing up the papers and they’ll be here on Monday for me to sign. He shifted nervously on the desk and smiled again. Now I know you boys were expecting to get paid today, and I hate to cramp your style for the weekend, but under my agreement with Dan I can’t give out any paychecks until I sign those papers — so you won’t get paid until Monday. He nodded quickly. Of course anybody who needs a few bucks to get by until then can hit me up for a loan — I don’t want you boys getting thirsty and blaming it on me. There was a ripple of laughter, then I heard Sala’s voice from somewhere on the other side of the room. I know about this guy, Stein, he said. Are you sure he’ll come through?
Lotterman banished the question with a wave of his hand. Of course I’m sure, Bob. Dan and I are old friends.
Well, Sala replied. I have a pretty big weekend coming up, and if it’s all the same to you I’d just as soon borrow my whole pay-check right now, then you won’t have to give me anything on Monday.
Lotterman stared down at him. What are you trying to say, Bob?
I don’t talk in swirls, Sala replied. I just want you to lend me a hundred and twenty-five bucks until Monday.
That’s ridiculous! Lotterman shouted.
Ridiculous, hell, said Sala. I worked in Miami, remember? I know Stein. He’s a convicted embezzler. He lit a cigarette. And besides, I might not be here on Monday.
What do you mean? Lotterman shouted. You’re not quitting?
I didn’t say that, Sala replied.