TRANSVESTIA

"What do you mean, 'Oh,' in that tone of voice," said Cort. "Come on, Arthur. Give. And why did you want such an urgent meeting with me tonight? Found a new talent that can't wait until tomorrow, eh?"

"I only wish it were." Mayer's whole expression had become gloomier than it normally was. "I'm afraid," he said softly, “that I may have done Pacific a great disservice."

Cort smiled as he handed Mayer the Bloody Mary that the scout was notorious for drinking no matter what the occasion. "Nothing you say is going to upset me tonight, Arthur." Cort's voice was good- humored. "The rushes show me we've a great film in the can and we'll have a bright, new star by this time next year in Angie Saunders."

"She's that good, huh?" muttered the older man sipping as slowly as ever on the tomato juice and vodka.

Cort shook his head. "You wouldn't believe it," he began enthusiastically. “Her timing in comic sketches is phenomenal. And as for sex appeal well, she's got the whole crew eating out of her hand. She's just what this studio needs right now to lead us back into the black."

→

"Yes, I can see that," Mayer's naturally grim mouth became even grimmer. "Just how well, Robert, do you happen to know this, er, this, ah, young lady?"

Cort sat up straight in his swivel chair. Alarm had already touch- ed his face, exposing how young he really was for such a post. “What do you mean?" he said anxiously. "Do you have something to tell me about Angie Saunders?"

Mayer ran a hand over his nearly hairless scalp, smoothing the heavily greased sides even tighter to the sides of his head. For the first time, Cort realized that Arthur Mayer, the great Arthur Mayer, was both nervous and upset. "J-just tell me," Mayer said, shivering even though the whole building was temperature-controlled, "how well you know Angie Saunders, and your relationship to her, and then I'll share my information with you."

Cort glowered. This was a most unusual request, particularly from a man like Mayer, who was only too aware of the status and re-