They were fascinated but not interested. The liqueurs had a beatiful blue flame. The girls enjoyed the blue reflection. They smiled at Otto in gratitude but Otto hardly noticed it because of his nervousness brought on by George, and his own embarrassment over the unplanned sexual display his too tight trousers had provided in such specific detail. His thoughts were interrupted when he noted a five dollar tip on his tray. "Nice service," the girls said and smiled. Otto thanked them and headed for the bar again.

George and Johnny were still talking about the two girls. Otto drew near them but didn't say a word. George kept repeating and repeating the same things. Otto ventured to remark, "Whatever you people said is probably right, but why should you care? They spent a good deal of money and they dinn't bother a single soul." Encouraged by their silence, he continued, "Customers like those two girls are much better than people like Finegold."

This made Johnny angry. "What do you know about peaple, anyway? You talk too much."

George smiled and said, "That's the trouble with college students. They think they know everything." John nodded in agreement.

The two girls got up and said good night, very quietly. George thanked them, then said, "I hope you won't mind my saying so, but you should know that this place is very exclusive and is not for people of your type." The girls looked at him with surprised embarrassment and didn't say a word. They left quietly.

Otto had been watching the scene intently. He thought a little and then left the room. Outside, in the corridor by the kitchen, he reached for a telephone. He dropped in a dime, dialed his number, and waited a few moments.

"Hello!" the other party answered.

"Hello, Richard. This is Otto speaking." His voice seemed shy and uncertain, but he continued at once, "How would you like to get killed tonight by red cheeks.....? He paused a moment, and then added in a rush, "I'm coming over to spend the night at your place."

The Hall

Downstairs they're talking about girls I stand in the doorway in my underwear to catch the breeze from the open window. The night is hot. I listen.

They were lying on the floor in their underwear because of the heat, talking about girls, but when I passed on my way upstairs, they giggled. They'll be there tomorrow. I'll pass. I'll say Hi! I won't stop. I'll go up to my room. I'll stand in the doorway, listening, while they talk about girls.

-R. J. Stark

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