Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE night’s dereliction had been a severe setback in his ultimate conquest of the dancer. He’d go to any length to make up for it. “Actually what I have in mind is hardly a favor at all, since it'll be to your benefit as much as anybody’s. I mentioned that new ballet I’m working on.” “Yes,”’ said Philip, wishing there was some way to stop his head from feeling like an expanding and contracting balloon. “It’s about finished. The music is all done. I want Hoke to get the thing into production as rapidly as possible but that will take time. Meanwhile, we ought to introduce the music to the public. I want the Association to sponsor a recital to which we can invite the critics.” “That shouldn’t be too hard to arrange,” said Philip, finding it difficult to follow Connie’s train of thought. “Will you do it?” “Tf it will make you happy, my dear.” Connie’s spirits soared. It was all she could do to contain herself until she could get Philip out of her apartment. It took all the reserve she could muster to keep her voice even. | “Thank you, Philip.” He lumbered to his feet, feeling that he was getting off re- markably light. “There should be something more personal. I’d love to take you shopping this afternoon, Connie, but to tell you the truth I just don’t feel up to it.” “Go on home, Philip,” she said as an amused smile crossed her lips. ‘“You’re still half-crocked I do believe. You need to be in bed.” “You're the most understanding girl I’ve ever met.” She brushed his lips with a kiss. Philip reeled. He looked as if he were going to be drunk all over again but this time not from champagne, Adoration showed in his eyes. Connie walked to the door with him. ; “Tl give you a ring in the morning, if that’s okay,” he said. “Tt is, but don’t make it early,” Connie laughed. The moment the door closed behind him she whirled and ran to the bedroom. Larry was standing by a window looking down on Manhattan as she burst in. To his amazement she did a quick entrechat and ran to him beaming. “Larry! Did you hear? You're in!” 60 CHAPTER EIGHT HE significance of Connie’s words did not fully dawn on Larry until several days later. Within moments after she ad burst into the bedroom he completely forgot everything xcept Connie. He had never known such a girl and he had gone way walking on clouds. About the same time that Larry was finding out what he as in for, so too was Philip. And while some benefit was ikely to accrue to Larry as a result, Philip, on the contrary, faced nothing but expense. The reaction of these two men stemmed directly from Connie’s ability as an organizer. Within an hour after Larry had left her apartment—and two hours after Philip—Connie was on the phone making arrangements for the recital. In four days time she had rented Crichton Hall, hired a promoter to see that the recital was well advertised, ordered the printing of invitations, set the date for ten days hence, “notified the music critics, and committed the Ballet de le Roi sociation to underwrite those things together with what other expenses would accrue in connection with the recital. “Tf you haven't got white tie and tails you’d better make arrangements to rent them for that evening,” she told Larry on the telephone at noon one day. “What?” he asked surprised. “What’s all that about, Connie?” ‘“Why—the recital. What else?” There was a moment of silence at the other end. “Maybe _you’d better bring me up to date. I haven’t seen you for several days remember. Every time I’ve called you've been busy or hurrying somewhere.” a Hastily she reviewed the plans she had made and was a little provoked with him that_he gave out with an exclamation of astonishment. “What the hell do. you think I’ve been running my legs off for if it wasn’t to get this thing going?” she demanded. “Yes, can see. You really have been busy,” he said, swallow- 61 Gomicbooksnco