Get a Load of This

     Jason felt in his pocket for his cigarette-case. “Strictly, from your angle, it must be interesting,” he said, offering her his case. “Do you go to bed with any of them?”

     She took a cigarette and leant forward as he thumbed his lighter. “No,” she said, “it's ethically wrong, I think.”

     Jason filled his lungs with cigarette smoke. After a moment he said, “I see.”

     “You can take me home now if you like,” she said. “I mean, there is still plenty of time to find someone else. If this is your first night in New York, perhaps you want that sort of thing.”

     “You know you're being awfully superior,” Jason said severely. “I'm enjoying myself enormously. I wish you would tell me where we are going.”

     “Oh, you'll see in a moment, we're just there.”

     The cab drew up outside a tall building that looked like a private dwelling place. Jason paid off the taxi and together Miss Gellert and he ascended the crescent-shaped steps to the front door.

     She rang the bell and after a moment's delay the door was opened by a short, dapper little man wearing heavy hornrimmed spectacles. “Why, hello, Mary,” he said, “aren't you very late?”

     He stood on one side to let them in.

     Miss Gellert said, “This is Mr. Howard Jason.”

     The little man shook Jason's hand cordially.

     “Dr. Kaufman works harder than any other man in New York,” Miss Gellert said to Jason. “May we come in for a few moments, Doctor?”

     “Why, sure, come in. Take your things off, young man.”

     Miss Gellert said seriously: “I want him to see everything. Will you take him round? You will find he is very intelligent.”

     Jason stood frowning slightly. “Could you explain what all this is about?” he asked politely. “I really believe I could appreciate things so much better if I knew.”

     Dr. Kaufman took his arm. “Of course,” he said; “Mary is so impulsive. She brings all sorts of people here. I am very grateful to her, but sometimes I feel she brings them on false pretences.”

     Miss Gellert said: “Take him round, Doctor, then we can have a talk. I'll wait in the library for you both.”

     Kaufman said: “Will you be patient? I want to show you the work I am trying to do. Will you come?”

     Jason said, “Why certainly,” and went with him, feeling somehow that the little man was too sincere to be refused.

     Miss Gellert waited for over an hour before Jason came into the library. He came alone. She was sitting by a big fire, very serene and relaxed. Jason came and sat down opposite her. In the firelight he looked very pale.

     She said: “I can't say I'm sorry. You see, unless I do this sort of thing, I can't get people to take any interest.”

     Jason said, a little bitterly, “I suppose he wants money?”

     “Don't you think he deserves to have it? Would you like to do what he's doing?”

     Jason took out his wallet and pulled out some notes. He put them on the table. “I think I'll go now,” he said, getting to his feet.

     She touched the money with a long slender finger. “It is an awful lot, isn't it?” she said. “Thank you so much. I'm afraid I've completely spoilt your evening.”

     Jason looked at her. “How the devil did you get mixed up with such foulness?” he asked abruptly.

     She looked into the fire. “I guess it was because someone I loved a lot died of it. Dr. Kaufman is the only man here who really understands its cure. But it costs so much. He can't make progress without money. So I help him as much as I can.”

     Jason said: “I see. I think you're very clever. Do you always take people from places like nightclubs?”

     “You mean I'm taking an unfair advantage?”

     “It does make one think how much nicer it is in a crowded restaurant than it must be in those wards.” Jason wandered over to the door. “Perhaps you'll give the doctor my best wishes.”

     She got up and went with him to the front door. “I have spoilt your evening, haven't I?” she said.

     He looked down at her thoughtfully. “You know you completely deceived me. I thought it was just a gag about your ethics.”

     She said again, “I'm awfully sorry.”

     He smiled. “I suppose you'll take that other guy some other night?”

     She nodded. “Oh yes, he has a lot of money too.”

     He opened the front door and looked up and down the street. “Well, good night,” he said, and almost ran down the steps.

     A taxi slid out of the shadows and the driver leant forward to jerk open the door. “Where to, boss?” he asked.

     Jason looked back over his shoulder, but Miss Gellert had shut the door. He looked up at the tall building and frowned.

     Then he turned his attention to the driver. “Listen,” he said, “I've only been in New York a few hours. I've got a room about ten floors up which seems to me completely isolated from any earthly contacts. I want to find company. What do you suggest?”

     The driver thought for a moment. “The Gaucho Club is a good spot for a pick-up, boss,” he said. “If you're wanting someone to sleep with, I'd say that's your spot.”

     Jason raised his hat. “Never mind,” he said politely, “I think I'll walk.”

SKIN DEEP