I caught the sharp intake of breath at the far end of the line. “You might at least talk like a gentleman,” she said. “Better try the University Club,” I told her. “I heard they had a couple left over there, but I’m not sure they’ll let you handle them.” I hung up. It was a step in the right direction, but it didn’t go far enough. I ought to have locked the door and hid under the desk.

I nodded and went out. There are days like that. Everybody you meet is a dope. You begin to look at yourself in the glass and wonder.

He was short and thickset. He had something dark and bristly under his nose about an inch long.