Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “It’s a pretty ambitious proj ect,” he commented after Connie had outlined her plan for a new ballet company. é “But we can’t miss, Guy,’ said Connie. “The Ballet du Roi is on the skids. You watch.” Ackers smiled. “Ballet has never been exactly my line, Connie. I’d rather see you in one of my new shows. You've got a name and a reputation. Why don’t you consider a contract with me instead?” “Because I want a ballet of my own,” said Connie, deter- minedly. Larry, seated on the other side of the desk, glanced at her, A ballet of her own? Connie and Ackers talked on for a while, The net result was that Ackers was not interested in putting money in such a new project. Just before they left he again reminded Connie that he’d gladly sign her to a contract if she changed her mind. Their next stop was in the office of Barnaby Monroe. Monroe brushed Larry off with a glance as they. shook hands, then spent the next hour talking with Connie. Monroe was interested in Connie’s project but didn’t have any Spare money to sink at the moment. That was the upshot of the meeting with Monroe. Undismayed Connie led Larry to two more producers. Only one was mildly serious about going into the project with her. But he couldn’t do a thing for at least ninety days due to previous commitments. . At six-thirty they stood on the sidewalk on Vanderbilt Avenue across from Grand Central. Connie Suggested they run up to “21” for dinner but Larry shook his head, “Well eat in Thompson’s around the corner, It’s the best I can afford.” “But Larry, I’ve got money,” said Connie reasonably. “We're going to eat at Thompson’s,” he said grimly, After dinner Connie announced that she was going to phone Some other producers and see if they couldn't get together this evening for further discussion of a new ballet. Larry smiled at her mirthlessly. “We spent the afternoon on your business. Tonight we’re going to attend to mine,” “But this is your business too,” she said puzzled at his‘remark, 120 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “Nope. We’re going to visit some honky tonks and see about getting me a job as a piano player ” Connie put up a beef about that at once. He wasn t showing a very good sense of proportion. What was more important, a new ballet or a job in a honky tonk?” eas “Really, darling.” she said, “I don’t get your point. “The most important thing to us is my job,” Larry retorted. “But youre in the geal with me.” He gave a hollow laugh ‘None of those men today even knew I was along ” “They will. I’ll see to that,” she asserted. “Nevertheless we’re going to spend this evening finding me a job,” he said with finality. Connie hadn’t seen so many different dives since her own search for employment during her early days in New York. Larry was acquainted with several of the owners or Managers they talked with. Every one of them, meeting the famous Con- stance Carter for the first time, insisted on buying drinks They wound up at one o’clock in a basement cafe in Green- wich Village. The manager, a Mr. Vescovo, offered him a job starting next week and magnanimously offered Connie a like salary if she’d dance there. 4 : “I might take you up on that someday, Mr. Vescovo,” Connie laughed. Despite the fact that the evening hadn't turned out as she had planned, she was mellow from the drinks they’d had and highly pleased that Larry had found employment. “There’s an idea, Connie,” Larry grinned. “Instead of me going into the ballet business with you, you get into the night club trade with me.” “Shake.” Connie stuck out her hand in mock solemnity. When his hand touched hers she squeezed it lovingly. Their eyes met for a second, but they spoke much. The rest of the night was before them and suddenly they both had the same thing in mind. They smiled at each other. It was time to go. Larry made final arrangements with Mr. Vescovo and they left. A taxi picked them up and Larry gave the driver his address. “But why go there, honey?” Connie asked. “My place is much more convenient and—” ; “COnnicbooks.conn