human
I found a costume shop, Ken,
gpt
Great, Malone said.
human
The chief authorized it.
gpt
He did?
human
He said to buy her whatever she wants. He says to treat her like a queen.
gpt
That, Boyd said,
human
I know it, Malone said.
gpt
I know it altogether too well.
human
Anyhow, Boyd said, brightening,
gpt
You didn't give up, did you?
human
Of course not, he said.
gpt
Ken, this is on the expense account, isn't it?
human
Expense account, Malone said.
gpt
Sure it is.
human
Good, he said.
gpt
Because I had the proprietor phone her size in, to New York.
human
Better get two of 'em, Malone said.
gpt
The chief said anything she wanted, she was supposed to have.
human
I'll go back right away. I told him we wanted the stuff on the afternoon plane, so--
gpt
And give him Bar ... Miss Wilson's size, and yours, and mine. Tell him to dig up something appropriate.
human
For us?
gpt
For us,
human
No,
gpt
Listen, Tom, Malone said,
human
I don't like this any better than you do. But if I can't resign, you can't either. Costumes for everybody.
gpt
But, Boyd said, and stopped. After a second he went on:
human
Malone ... Ken ... FBI agents are supposed to be inconspicuous, aren't they?
gpt
Well, how inconspicuous are we going to be in this stuff?
human
It's an idea, Malone said.
gpt
But it isn't a very good one. Our first job is to keep Miss Thompson happy. And that means costumes. And what's more, Malone added,
human
Ken, Boyd said,
gpt
No, I haven't, he said.
human
I just wish I had. It would be a relief.
gpt
Me, too, Boyd said. He started for the door and turned.
human
I wish I could have stayed in San Francisco, he said.
gpt
Why should she insist on taking _me_ along?
human
The beard,
gpt
Right, Malone said.
human
She says it reminds her of someone she knows. Frankly, it reminds me of someone, too. Only I don't know who.
gpt
I'll shave it off,
human
You will not, Malone said firmly.
gpt
Touch but a hair of yon black chin, and I'll peel off your entire skin.
human
Now, Malone said,
gpt
He fished in his pockets, came out with a crumpled slip of paper and handed it to Boyd.
human
That's a list of my clothing sizes. Get another list from B ... Miss Wilson. Boyd nodded. Malone thought he detected a strange glint in the other man's eye.
gpt
Don't measure her yourself, he said.
human
Just ask her.
gpt
All right, Ken, he said.
human
But if we just don't get anywhere, don't blame me.
gpt
If you get anywhere, Malone said,
human
I'll snatch you baldheaded. And I'll leave the beard.
gpt
I didn't mean with Miss Wilson, Ken, Boyd said.
human
I meant in general.