human
Bruce, said he, looking steadfastly at the comb,
gpt
I've sent a boy six blocks to buy one,
human
It's the curse of the nation, Val earnestly assured him.
gpt
You are ready for the theater. You have fifteen minutes to spare. You drop into a gilded palace of crime to drink a highball. In your earnestness you muss your hair. You retire to primp. A comb hangs before you, with one serviceable tooth. A brush with eight bristles hangs by its side. You smooth your hair with your towel and go away saddened for ever!
human
The trouble is, said Colonel Bouncer,
gpt
Thanks, acknowledged Johnny.
human
Now suppose you could step into any barber shop, theater, hotel, saloon or depot wash room, drop a nickel in a slot and take out a nice papier-mache comb, paraffined and medicated and sealed in an oiled-paper wrapper. Would you do it?
gpt
Just as fast as I could push the button,
human
Well, I've just invented that comb, explained Johnny, smiling.
gpt
Do you think there would be a good business in manufacturing it?
human
There's a handsome fortune in it, he declared.
gpt
It is one of those little things of which there are enormous quantities used and thrown away each day. If you want to organize a company to put it on the market, Johnny, I'll take any amount of stock you think proper--not only for the investment, but for the pure philanthropy of it.
human
Also for the pure selfishness of it, laughed Joe Close.
gpt
Courtney wants to be sure to find a private comb in every public wash room.
human
When you get your factory going I wish you'd send a salesman to my head supply man, requested Mort Washer.
gpt
I'll buy them by the ton, and every guest who comes into one of my hotels will find a fresh comb in an aseptic wrapper by the side of his individual soap.
human
That will be up to Bruce, Johnny informed him.
gpt
Bruce intends to manufacture this device at his papier-mache factory.
human
Thanks, acknowledged Bruce.
gpt
I hadn't contemplated enlarging the factory, but I see I shall need to.
human
Johnny isn't kidding, Bruce,
gpt
Neither am I, maintained Bruce stoutly.
human
I'll have that comb on the market so quickly that you can almost afford to wait for it. Royalty, Johnny?
gpt
No, denied Johnny promptly.
human
I'll sell it to you outright for ten thousand dollars, me to sign any sort of papers you need and you to pay the patent lawyer.
gpt
I'd be robbing you, protested Bruce.
human
I should think you'd want to retain an interest in the manufacture, or at least a royalty. There'd be a lot more money in it for you.
gpt
Wait just a minute,