human
What's the news?
gpt
Not very good, was the reply.
human
Benny's worse.
gpt
Then he won't be with us to-day?
human
No, and not for some days to come, I fancy.
gpt
Will you do the act this afternoon and to-night then, Joe? You see we've billed it big here, and it's too late to make a change in this town. When we move on we can drop out that act without its being so noticeable. If necessary I can have that part of our bill poster advertising covered up with blank sheets, though I hate to. But that's all there is to be done if Benny can't act.
human
No, he can't act, Joe said.
gpt
I'll go on to-day, of course. The Lascalla Brothers won't kick, will they?
human
I don't care if they do. You can do your principal stunts with them, and we'll shove the tank act back on the programme so as to give you a chance to make the change. I suppose, though, if you keep too much out of the Lascalla act they will be kicking.
gpt
They may want another partner,
human
That's right, agreed the ring-master.
gpt
But there's one thing, though. If they ask to have Sim Dobley back again I'll tell 'em it can't be done. I won't have that fellow around. That's flat, let me tell you.