RANSVESTIA

"What!!?" he spluttered, "you mean there's more?"

Cynthia nodded guiltily.

"Like what?" Harry prodded.

She hesitated for a moment, then blurted: "A mink coat."

"Did I hear you right? A mink coat?"

"Y-yes. I couldn't help it, Chief- it looked so beautiful on me, a perfect fit," she apologized. "On sale, too-a real bargain at only $7,997."

“Only!, she says!" throwing his hands in the air. Harry shuddered to think what Barrett would do. He looked down at Cynthia and noticed that she still had a worried look on her face. That worried him, too. “Is there something else I sould know about?"

Cynthia gulped and spilled it out: "Yes-a diamond necklace and earrings."

"Real ice?" Harry questioned in disbelief.

"Uh-huh. Girl's best friend."

"Oh! No!" Harry groaned. "How much?" almost afraid to ask.

Cynthia's eyes gave him a soft appealing look. "Ten thousand, plus tax," she confessed.

Poor Harry slumped into his chair. He imagined cash register bells ringing in his ears. He pressed his hands over them. Cynthia opened her mouth, but Harry forestalled her, "Don't say another word until I digest what you've already told me." Staring blankly into space, he called weakly, "Kathy-get me a glass of water."

Kathy dutifully responded. Harry reached for a tranquilizer and gulped it down with the water. After Kathy had departed to the outer office, Harry returned to reality.

"How could you do this to me, Brewer? Surely you don't expect Uncle Sam to foot the bill for such things?"

9