just great to see Nadine take some of the treatment that she liked so much to give.

"He's in Nadine's office," Ace jerked a thumb at the wall be- hind him when David got into the dressing room that night.

"Is he going on?" asked David. He saw Babe sitting off in the far corner, only partly dressed, as if he knew he wouldn't be on at all. "Why not?" Farrell chimed in, doffing his top hat at a very rak- ish angle. "She needs the bread as much as the rest of us." "She?" Ace was disconcerted. "He means Marty," said David with a grimace. "Come on, Farr- ell. That isn't fair. If Marty does the part, he'll put money in your pocket, too."

"Sure she will," Farrell grin- ned at David.

"Besides," said David, strip- ping off his levis. "What would you do if Nadine walked in here, and said that Marty wouldn't go on, and you'd have to do Jackie's part. Would you?”

Farrell cocked his head to one side and grinned wide enought to show his gold fillings. "Would you?" he countered.

David didn't have to answer that, for, at that moment, Na- dine Boorman came in through the door. She was was scowling fiercely. She glared at one dancer and then another until each was forced to lookaway, their throats suddenly dry. It was hard, David found, to swallow.

"Marty tells me what a bad time you guys gave him last night," Nadine's voice was raspy, as if she'd been doing a lot of talking. "What a bunch!" After he saves the show, and gives me one of my greatest ideas ever,

you guys put him through hoops. She glared at Farrell. "Well to- night, I'll have you know, we have a full house." She paused to let those words sink in. “Yes, a full house, gentlemen. And all to see Marty. But we're going to cross them up tonight." She glared anew at David Rennick. "We're going to lip-synch all the parts with the Baltimore tapes, so that the performers only have to dance and act. What's more, "she'd shifted on to Ace Deman- ski," who glowered back at her, "your parts tonight will all be done by somebody else."

After about thirty seconds of uncomfortable silence, David finally asked, as Nadine gloated at them, "We're all fired?" "Perhaps," Nadine's tone was mocking. She turned and spoke to someone just out side the door. "O.K., Millie, bring them in."

Millie, the grey-haired old wo- man who dressed the girls, push- ed in a rack of sequinned, glitter- ing dresses and costumes. "Take off your top hats and tails, fellers," She was grinning. "The girls need'em in the other room.” "You mean There was a desperate, sinking feeling at the pit of David Rennick's stomach.

•

"

"Yes," Nadine Boorman was crowing. "We're going to reverse all the roles tonight. It'll be the biggest thing along the block in years!"

-

a woman,

As she spoke, another woman came into the room at least, at first glance But David recognized Marty with a second look. It was hardly the Marty Salter whom he knew. Marty's hair was long and styled in feminine fashion about his be- jewelled ears. His face was made up, too, his cheeks rouged, his

.9.

nose powdered, his eyes mas- cara'd, his lips glossed. He wore a two-piece suit, green, with a pleated skirt. A soft green, silk blouse complimented his outfit as did the dark stockings and green high heels. A faint smile, apprehensive, played across his pink lips.

"Marty, is that you?” Farrell Prior mimicked in a high, unna- tural voice. He flipped a wrist limply at the feminine figure. Marty blushed and bit at his lip. He was forced to look down, showing the blue eyeshadow on the back of his eyelids. The other guys also looked away, embarass- ed both by Marty's appearance and by Farrell's remarks.

"Farrell!" Nadine was enraged For a moment, it appeared that she might attack the black actor- dancer, who for the first time, looked a little abashed. With an effort, Nadine regained her self- control. "Millie," she said curtly, turning to the smug dresser. "help the girls," she snapped the word out, "into dresses for their first number. Those that aren't dressed and on the set in twenty minutes can leave right away - without pay!"

As soon as Nadine had left, Millie's face broke out in a big smile. "O.K., girlies,” she snick- ered. “Into your panties first!”" She held up a pair of red, bikini briefs.

"Give'em to Marty,” said Far- rell savagely. "You're not gonna get the rest of us into them!"

Millie was somewhat taken a- back. Marty sat down daintily on the chair in front of his mirror. He took off his jacket, showing a surprisingly feminine bust through his soft, silk blouse.

"I'm not gettin' tarted up like her!" In moments of stress, Ace