“Being a woman,” I said, “you can call me that. Being a man, I don’t have to take it.”

I started for the door.

“Wait a minute,” she said. “I think you stand a chance of getting the job.”

“I don’t want it.”

“Don’t be a sap. Turn around here and look at me. You were lying, weren’t you?”

What the hell! The job was gone anyway. I swung around and faced her. “Yes,” I said, “I was. It’s a habit I have. Oddly enough, however, I prefer to have my prevarications called to my attention in a more tactful manner.”

“Ever been in jail?”

“No.”

“Come back here and sit down.”

That’s what pounding the pavement does for your morale. I went back and sat down. I had exactly ten cents in my pocket. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday noon. The employment agencies either couldn’t or wouldn’t do a thing for me. I’d finally resorted to answering the ads that looked just a little fishy on their face. That’s the last step.

“Now tell me the truth,” she said.

“I’m twenty-nine,” I told her. “My parents are dead. I’ve had a college education. I’m reasonably intelligent. I’m willing to do almost anything. I need the money. If you give me the job, I’ll try and be loyal.”

“Is that all?” she asked.

“That’s all.”

“What’s your name?”

I smiled.

“Then I take it Lam isn’t your real name?”

I said, “I’ve told you the truth. Now, I can keep on talking if you want—I’m rather good at that.”

“I fancy you are,” she said. “Now tell me, what did you really study in college?”

“What difference does that make?”

“I don’t know, I’m sure,” she said. “But it was the way you answered questions about your college education that made me realize you were lying. You never went to college, now, did you?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t graduate?”

“Yes, I did.”

“You weren’t expelled?”

“No.”

She pursed her lips. “Do you know anything about anatomy?”

“No, not much.”

“What did you study in college?”

“Want me to improvise?” I asked.

“No,” she said. “Not now—yes, I do, too. This job needs a liar. It also needs a convincing talker. I didn’t like your first lie. It wasn’t convincing.”

“I’m telling you the truth, now,” I pointed out.

“Quit it, then. Lie to me for a while.”

“What about?”

“Anything,” she said, “only make it sound convincing. Build it up. Embroider it. What did you study in college?”