The session at the Ship Ahoy had been just what he needed. His body stiffened, sobered, with a sense of outrage. Who was this young snip to talk to him this way?
The trouble with him was he was too nice to people. Called just a few minutes after you left. Said you had to see a doctor. Then he got on the phone himself. So I said you wrenched your foot getting off the plane.
Manley swayed slightly. And if he was through in Hollywood β¦ damn it these Hollywood jitters. His pride made him sound a good deal surer of himself than he could possibly be. I mean tremble every time a producer picks up a phone.
We were cocky. Because no matter how low they stoop, the executive element is helpless without the creative element. I know these first- and second-generation tycoons. Inferiority complexes a yard wide. At the entrance to his bedroom he paused. Feeling rather pleased with the performance, he went into the bathroom. There his confidence began to falter. And the caloric content of the whiskey would have to be figured in. Damn it, this lousy tripβfor all those months before it he had been so careful.
Ann and Dr. Rubin would have a fit if they knew. As a peace-feeler, Manley produced a smile. William, Mr. Chenery, the English social secretary, greeted them. Milgrim was in conference and she hoped they would not mind standing by. They were shown to seats in a wide entrance-way that had been converted into a waiting room. The waiting, Shep thought again, the waiting. But this time Manley had no objection. It provided a brief cooling-off period in which to collect himself and perhaps force his mind back to the story.
