He was rich, powerful, and a mechanical genius, but he still needed to go to kindergarten
Waldo had a proposition to make. ‘Jim, you’ve been very helpful. You explain these things better than Uncle Gus does. I’ll hire you to teach me.
Stevens suppressed a slight feeling of pique. ‘Sorry. I’ve got a job that keeps me busy.
‘Oh, that’s all right. I’ll pay you better than they do. You can name your own salary. It’s a deal.
Stevens took a deep breath and sighed. ‘You don’t understand. I’m an engineer and I don’t hire out for personal service. You can’t hire me. Oh, I’ll help you all I can, but I won’t take money for it
‘What’s wrong with taking money?
The question, Stevens thought, was stated wrongly. As it stood it could not be answered. He launched into a long, involved discussion of professional and business conduct. He was really not fitted for it; Waldo soon bogged down. ‘I’m afraid I don’t get it. But see here – could you teach me how to behave with girls ~ Uncle Gus says he doesn’t dare take me out in company
‘Well, I’ll try. I’ll certainly try. But, Waldo, I came over to see you about some of the problems we’re running into at the plant. About this theory of the two spaces that you were telling me about-
‘It’s not theory; it’s fact.
‘All right. What I want to know is this: When do you expect to go back to Freehold and resume research? We need some help.
‘Go back to Freehold? I haven’t any idea. I don’t intend to resume research.
‘You don’t? But, my heavens, you haven’t finished half the investigations you outlined to me.
‘You fellows can do ‘em. I’ll help out with suggestions, of course.
‘Well – maybe we could interest Gramps Schneider,’ Stevens said doubtfully
‘I would not advise it,’ Waldo answered. ‘Let me show you a letter he sent me.’ He left and fetched it back. ‘Here.
Stevens glanced through it. ‘-your generous offer of your share in the new power project I appreciate, but, truthfully, I have no interest in such things and would find the responsibility a burden. As for the news of your new strength I am happy, but not surprised. The power of the Other World is his who would claim it-’ There was more to it. It was written in a precise Spencerian hand, a trifle shaky; the rhetoric showed none of the colloquialisms with which Schneider spoke
‘Hm-m-m – I think I see what you mean.
‘I believe,’ Waldo said seriously, ‘that he regards our manipulations with gadgets as rather childish.
‘I suppose. Tell me, what do you intend to do with your-self?
‘Me? I don’t know, exactly. But I can tell you this: I’m going to have fun. I’m going to have lots of fun. I’m just beginning to find out bow much fun it is to be a man!
His dresser tackled the other slipper. ‘To tell you just why I took up dancing would be a long story,’ he continued. ‘I want details.
‘Hospital calling,’ someone in the dressing room said. ‘Tell ‘em I’ll be right there, fast. Suppose you come in tomorrow afternoon?’ he added to the woman reporter. ‘Can you?
‘Right.
A man was shouldering his way through the little knot around him. Waldo caught his eye. ‘Hello, Stanley. Glad to see you.
‘Hello, Waldo.’ Gleason pulled some papers out from under his cape and dropped them in the dancer’s lap. ‘Brought these over myself as I wanted to see your act again.
‘Like it?
‘Swell!
Waldo grinned and picked up the papers. ‘Where is the dotted line?
‘Better read them first,’ Gleason cautioned him
‘Oh shucks, no. If it suits you, it suits me. Can I borrow your stylus?
A worried little man worked his way up to them. ‘About that recording, Waldo-
‘We’ve discussed that,’ Waldo said flatly. ‘I only perform before audiences.
‘We’ve combined it with the Warm Springs benefit.
‘That’s different. OK.
‘While you’re about it, take a look at this layout.’ It was a reduction, for a twenty-four sheet:
THE GREAT WALDO AND HIS TROUPE
with the opening date and theatre left blank, but with a picture of Waldo, as Harlequin, poised high in the air