human
Do you know anybody who knows Louis Ersten, the ladies' tailor?
gpt
Ersten? replied Close unexpectedly.
human
I've quarreled with him for thirty years. He banks with me.
gpt
Start a quarrel for me, requested Johnny.
human
I've been down to look him over. I can do business with him if he'll listen.
gpt
I doubt it, he rejoined.
human
Ersten has just lost the coat cutter who helped him build up his business, and he's soured on everything in the world but Schoppenvoll's and skat and Rheinthranen.
gpt
Could I learn to play skat in about a day?
human
You have no German ancestors, have you?
gpt
No.
human
Then you couldn't learn it in a thousand years!
gpt
I have to find his weak spot, Johnny persisted.
human
If you'll just make him talk with me I'll do the rest.
gpt
I'll try, he agreed,