human
Now that's enough, Horatio, I said.
gpt
You can turn yourself off again. I don't want you to wear out.
human
Thanks, Horatio said gratefully. He smiled faintly at Alice.
gpt
Pleased to have met you,
human
Get me a drink! Mystiffio said. He grasped the edge of the desk and stared solemnly at the empty brown chair.
gpt
Get me two drinks.
human
What is it? Alice demanded.
gpt
How do you do it? Mirrors? Lighting? It's terrific.
human
It's completely on the level. Now here's the angle. I'm going to put this guy into your act. Wait'll the crowds get a load of Mystiffio's magic then. With Horatio in the background pulling the strings he'll make Thurston look like an amateur parlor entertainer.
gpt
What, he said frigidly,
human
You're quoting your own press notices now, I said.
gpt
I know; I wrote 'em.
human
And what makes you think I'm not as good as Thurston?
gpt
Ah, temperament! I murmured. I turned to Alice.
human
You work on him. You can see that Horatio will be a good thing, can't you? You don't want your act to die, do you?
gpt
Mr. Flannigan. It was Horatio. His voice sounded apologetic.
human
I don't want to disturb you, but what has all this got to do with getting me into the army? You sound more like a booking agent than the Soldier's Friend.
gpt
Heel, she said.
human
What kind of line are you giving him?
gpt
Horatio, I said.
human
I am disappointed. I expected a little trust from you. Didn't I tell you it might be a little while before I got things set? This angle I'm working now will put you practically into the army.
gpt
Yeah! How?
human
I'm going to line you up doing an act for the U. S. O. Does that show you my heart's in the right place?
gpt
There will be a short pause for cat-calls and boos,
human
All right, Horatio said with a sigh.
gpt
I'll go along with you.
human
Fine, I said.
gpt
And just to get you used to army life I'm going to start paying you fifty bucks a month.
human
You great big generous man,
gpt
Now that's no way to talk, I said.
human
I'm doing the lad a favor.
gpt
Yeah, she said.
human
I'm sure you are. Just like a man picking up a dollar bill is doing the street cleaners a favor.
gpt
You don't understand my noble motives, I said,