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but the service was lousy after working hours. When I finally reached the street, Kraus wasn't in sight. I
looked around, slightly bewildered, I somehow expected her to be waiting for me.
A horn was blowing and there was Kimball in her roadster, motioning to me. As I came over, she put her
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fist to her lips, said, Ta-ta-tata, all hail the conquering hero!
Cut the clowning, where did she go?
Took a cab, in all her virtuous wrath. And hop in before I get a damn ticket. I got in and we drove
uptown and through the park and then downtown and Kimball asked, Want me to drive over to her room?
No. Hell with it.
Marsh, does that hayseed mean anything to you?
Not a thing. Merely a nice kid I didn't want to see hurt.
Honest?
Cross my heart! I snapped.
Of course you slapped Barrett on the chin?
I did... all the trimmings.
And now what, little man? Kimball asked, parking the car. We were in front of her house. It was like her
to time things exactly right.
I'll get along, I said, suddenly sick with the realization my job was gone. I had no money beyond the pay
check in my pocket.
Will you? Kraus will go back to the sticks, where she belongs. But you can you go back to that mill
town you told me about? And Barrett will blackball you out of every ad agency.
I'll do free lance art work.
Slop. You won't make a dime and you know it. Come on in and have a drink.
I knew what was coming, but I went in. We had a drink and sat on the couch and I waited. Kimball came
right out with it. She said, About you I still like young chaps, particularly interested in a certain young jerk
who was brash enough to poke the boss on the chin. That's quite an accomplishment and...
How long before you'd turn me in for a new model, Marion? Would I last a week, a month?
I might even be willing to send you_ to art school for six months, even a year. You need more schooling.
A kept man, I said, turning red.
Kimball's warm hand stroked my face. Don't let a word scare you. You also keep things that are precious
and...
I don't know why I did it. You see I either had to walk out or show her I was a man. I didn't want out, so I
reached over and tore her dress from the shoulder to her hip, pulled her to me. She still had this cat grin on her
face, so I pulled her to me as roughly as I could.
And that was it.
It was after midnight when I left Kimball's. I'd slept with my share of girls, but Kimball was the first real
woman I'd ever known, and she was amazing. Even between the sheets, she was so wonderfully efficient.
I didn't want to leave, but she put me out, saying, I'll be knocked out for the week if I don't get some rest
on Sunday, look like hell. I'll never get any rest with you around, so darling, go to your room and pack your
things and be here Monday night. Okay?
I stopped at a coffee-pot and had something to eat, tried to figure out what I was getting into. Finally
decided I didn't know... but it was something I wanted. Somehow, that seemed to clear my mind, made me
feel pretty good.
I walked across Brooklyn Bridge, taking in the beauty of the Manhattan skyline against the moonlight, then
took a cab up to my room. As I unlocked the downstairs door, I heard the joker who ran the house a
glorified janitor although he called himself an agent climb out of his bed. He had a large combination
office and bedroom on the first floor.
As I went up the stairs, he stuck his head out, whispered, Mr. Jameson.
See you tomorrow with the rent, I called over my shoulder, and kept on walking upstairs.
But Mr. Jameson, I...
I walked faster, ran up the second flight, unlocked my door. I stepped inside and quickly undressed in the
dark. I was pretty well pooped.
Marshal?
I jumped straight up in the air, my pants in my hand, asked, Who's there?
It's me, Marsh... Mary Jane.
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I found the light cord and there was Miss Kraus in my bed, holding the covers up to her chin. Soon as she
saw me, she began to weep.
What... what are you doing here?
Please don't scold me, she said, through fat tears. I didn't have anybody else to turn to. You see, I didn't
expect to be... fired and I'd bought some dresses last week and now... now I don't have any money. I didn't
know what to do, so I came here, told the landlord I was your sister, and he let me wait in your room. She
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