“Look, Jack,” he said. “You didn’t say you’d be out all day. That’s all right but at least you could have called up. I been in a spot and I didn’t know what to do. Michaels—he’s still waiting. He swears he’s gonna tear up Shayne’s contract and the hell with it if he doesn’t sign right away. I knew you’d want to hold out but hell, fifteen hundred a week ain’t beans and Shayne ain’t as hot as he thinks he is anymore. I didn’t know what to do.”

Terry watched Colin’s face grow hard. “I couldn’t get back today. I don’t want to talk business now, if you don’t mind. I’ll see you in the morning, Sam.”

Rafael looked from Colin to the girl and back.

“Can that, will you Jack?” he pleaded. “The lady will excuse you.” A wave of resentment made Terry flush as she caught the slur in ‘the lady.’ “I tell you Michaels means it. He won’t wait till tomorrow.”

Colin shook his head impatiently. “Please forgive this unwelcome interlude, Terry,” he said pompously. “It’s the price one must pay.” He turned to Rafael. “All right, Sam. Go to Michaels. Tell him if he won’t renew Shayne’s contract at two thousand, he can go to hell. Tell him I said so and tell him that Apex’ll be goddam glad to pay it. You must be an awful sap letting a guy like Michaels put it over on you. He knows damn well Shayne is worth two thousand to any studio in town.”

Rafael looked dubious. “You really think it’ll work, Jack? I’m not so sure.”

“You’re not sure! What do you know about it? Letting Michaels pull stuff like that! Who the hell’s he think he’s fooling around with?”

Rafael rose to go. “I hope you’re right, Jack. I’ll see you in the morning.” A pasty grin spread over his face as he turned to Terry. “Good night Miss—or—”

“Stafford,” Terry said shortly.

“Glad to have met you.”

Terry saw him smirk at Colin as he turned to leave.

When Rafael was gone, Colin finished his drink. It restored him quickly to his former mood.

“It’s as I was saying, Terry,” he said. “Sometimes men have dreams in their hearts but the world won’t let them bring those dreams to beautiful life. A man’s soul doesn’t really belong to him then.”

Terry took a cigarette from the pack on the table. Colin held a match to it. With her other hand she held her glass. That left neither hand free for him to dampen with his moist paws.

“I understand, Jack,” she said mechanically, feeling strangely stupid and uncertain that she could carry on with the game.