“He’ll probably have to leave the country like so many others,” said Dave.

“Or shoot himself like Nelson Hilyard,” said Joe.

“Hilyard was a homo,” Dave clarified. “At least Max Leslie isn’t an actor, or a director. They’re really screwed. A writer can always find someone to front for him—put a new name on the script and who knows the difference? Sometimes the studios themselves slip a different name on the credits, and keep their own men working.”

“Leon Greene would never do that,” said Joe. “Is it true that he makes everyone at Empire recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, Roxanne?”

I collapsed at my desk.

“To name names, or not to name names! That is the question!” cried Dave, shattering the dour mood by leaping to his feet and striking a Shakespearean pose. “A story in three classical acts: First, you abase yourself before the Committee, then you swear it was a rotten mistake in your rotten youth, which you deeply, truly, tremendously regret—pause here for sackcloth and ashes.” He crossed himself and looked skyward. “Then you blather the name of every face you can remember, and some you can’t. The more names, the better. The more they love you. Mea culpa, the gang’s all here! Or there. Or about to get subpoenaed. The Committee then thanks you for your courageous and forthright testimony, and you thank them for the opportunity to serve your country and for their fine work serving our country, and everyone is just so delighted to serve their country that ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ blares over the loudspeakers.” Dave hummed a few bars and saluted. “Be a friendly witness, and you go on working. Do it not, and your life is over!”

Joe picked up a pencil, brought it down on the desk like a gavel, and barked at me, “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? Speak up! Don’t think you can claim the First Amendment! Men have gone to prison for that!”

Tom Willis ambled into the Farm, beaming, happy to inform them all of his promotion in glowing terms. “Lunch and drinks are on me, boys! Success will make me invincible!”