about this topic before.

"We don't do anything that isn't predictable," said David, slipping in beside her, his warm toes on her cold ones. "We're all talented, sure." His arm went about her, pulling her body a- gainst his. "Marty and Babe are even really great. It'd all be fan- tastic in support of one eye- catching or heart-stopping idea."

"Yes, David," murmured Cin- dy. She closed her mouth over his, realizing that it would be the only way to stop him once he was in flow. He yielded reluc- tantly, but her mouth was insis- tent and her body inviting. Soon he was responding nicely and they melded together. It doesn't matter how the lousy show works out, thought Cindy. I've got you, David, and I would never have even met you but for Nadine's idea for the show.

It was the one thing that had never happened yet, thought Nadine savagely, and now it had to happen! Of the six boys and six girls who made up the show, Johnny 'Babe' Corbin was the youngest at nineteen, there had never been three ill for one show. And, just on the night when two of the show's backers were in town to decide whether to pull the plug or to keep the show on for a while longer in the hope of re-couping some of their losses, three girls were out.

Nadine bit at her elegant, red fingernails. She could not afford another loser. Three in a row, and this would be her third, would be the 'out' from directing for her. They'd gone on before with five pairs, even with four, but never with three. It just wouldn't be a show with three. Oh, damn Jackie, Shirley and

Danielle, she thought savagely.

It just couldn't happen that three girls would go down on the same day.

She looked about the stage. The set and the performers were in place. From the orchestra pit, there came the sounds of tuning up along with a few practice riffs from the two or three numbers from the show that were already well known. Ace Demanski, in top hat and tails, glared at her from the doorway to the 'Roar- ing Twenties' speakeasy. Jackie should have been there in a long black evening dress, her flapper costume concealed beneath the gown. They would have to fill in for her, which meant an awful strain on the three girls. It would be tough on the others, too, try- ing to give and receive the right cues, and make the whole show a polished one. But they were all good kids... If only she had another girl!

Nadine's eye swept over the group, checking their costumes. Marty Salter never looked butch enough, she thought angrily. If only he could be as tough a man as he was agile as a dancer She stopped, suddenly, a mad thought chasing through her mind. Marty looked back at her becoming nervous under her staring. Why not, she thought savagely. At least, it'll give them a show tonight. Nadine Boorman may be failing, but she'll go out with something for everyone to talk about.

"Come with me," she snapped at Marty, heading off stage to- wards the dressing rooms. She waved Farrell Prior, the only male black on the cast, to take over Marty's position. Sally Ra- der wouldn't mind, she thought fiercely. Farrell would make that

-6.

pairing work much more attrac- tively to the 'liberated' audience they usually got at their perfor-

mances.

Marty followed her very reluc- tantly down the narrow passage. He didn't know why he'd been pulled off the stage. Of all the dancers they still thought of themselves that way despite what they were called upon to do – he was the most versatile. He'd done every role on the road, and he could pick up and do sections of others when they were missing even for the girls at rehearsals. He was more versatile than any- one else, save for possibly David, who was a study of the show it- self. Better for Nadine to leave out the inexperienced Babe, he thought miserably, not Marty Salter.

"Come on! Come on! We haven't got all day!" Nadine snapped at him and turned into the girls' dressing room. The dresser, Millie, looked up anx- iously at the Director's invasion of the room. Marty stopped at the door, the top hat twisting nervously in his hands. "Get Jackie's things ready!" ordered Nadine.

Millie blinked. Her eyes open- ed wide in surprise. "She's bet- ter?" she asked.

Nadine's mouth smacked in annoyance. She turned and eyed Marty. Millie's eyes followed hers and came to rest on Marty, who stood now stiff with shock and fear. Slowly, Millie began to smile.

"Use a shoulder-length wig, with heavy bangs," said Nadine curtly. "And long gloves. Gloves for all his skits. Short, black lace ones underneath. You'll have to stuff her out everywhere, too. Cotton-wool if you've nothing