Charles told him the most obscene joke he had ever heard. He had remembered it ever since first hearing it at the age of eleven. Throughout his adolescence he had often wondered what it meant.

‘We used that last week,’ said Froulish. ‘I can see you’re not going to be much help.’

‘Well, why the hell should I be?’ said Charles aggressively. After all, he had been sent over to chuck Froulish out, and he was still ready to do it.

‘Well, that’s just it,’ said Froulish, looking at him attentively. ‘I’ve got another assignment this week. I’ve got to find a Seventh Man.’

‘What do you mean, a Seventh Man?’

‘Mr. Frush has only got five in his team at present. That makes six, counting him. And, like most creative people, he’s got fads and superstitions.’

‘You mean, about seven being the golden number?’

‘Yes, all that bunk,’ said the novelist. ‘Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, Seven Types of Ambiguity, all that stuff. We don’t really need another man, but he says so, and as far as I can see, anybody would do. You’d do,’ he added kindly.

‘Do I understand that you’re suggesting I should change my employment?’ Charles asked him with dignity.

‘Why, do you mean they pay you here? If you’re the washer-up, I don’t see any evidence that you’ve been on duty lately.’

‘I’m the chucker-out,’ said Charles, ‘so watch your step. Take those glasses out of your pockets. And if one of the girls comes up to you, don’t forget your manners.’

Froulish took an elastic band out of his breast pocket. Stretching it tightly, he slipped it over his head so that it encircled his forehead just above the eyebrows, and began to pick at it, snapping it against his head with his thumb and forefinger. Charles wondered why he did not find this too painful.

‘Well, take it or leave it, for God’s sake,’ he growled.

Charles caught Ada’s eye as she stared out of her sanctum. My previous experience did not embrace any specimens of the ordinary criminal type.

‘I’ll take it,’ he said.

Froulish stood up. The glasses made unsightly bulges in his pockets. One of the ‘hostesses’ came over to him and asked him why he was leaving so early.

‘Look, dear,’ he said earnestly, ‘I wouldn’t do you any good. I’m riddled with it.’

They walked across the floor. Charles halted in front of where Ada sat.

‘Don’t bother about any pay to-night,’ he said. ‘Keep it in lieu of notice.’

She looked up at him sourly but without surprise. The naked bulb above her head revealed how carelessly she had applied the henna to her hair. It was a dirty grey at the roots.

‘So you’re walking out on the job, are you?’ she said flatly. ‘You’re just a louse like the rest of them.’