can make a living is by doing business. For example, they import raw cotton, weave it, and sell it to India and the Philippines. But in the Depression the two great economic empires – Britain and the USA – put up tariff walls to protect our own industries. That was the end of Japanese trade with the British Empire, including India, and the American zone, including the Philippines. It hit them pretty hard.’
Diana said: ‘Does that give them the right to conquer the world?’
‘No, but it makes them think that the only way to economic security is to have your own empire, as the British do, or at least to dominate your hemisphere, as the US does. Then nobody else can close down your business. So they want the Far East to be their backyard.’
Joanne agreed. ‘And the weakness of our policy is that every time we impose economic sanctions to punish the Japanese for their aggression, it only reinforces their feeling that they’ve got to be self-sufficient.’
‘Maybe,’ said Chuck. ‘But they still have to be stopped.’
Woody shrugged. He did not have an answer to that.
After dinner they went to the cinema. The movie was great. Then Woody and Chuck walked the girls back to their apartment. On the way, Woody took Joanne’s hand. She smiled at him and squeezed his hand, and he took that for encouragement.
Outside the girls’ building he took her in his arms. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Chuck do the same with Diana.
Joanne kissed Woody’s lips briefly, almost chastely, then said: ‘The traditional goodnight kiss.’
‘There was nothing traditional about it last time I kissed you,’ he said. He bent his head to kiss her again.
She put a forefinger on his chin and pushed him away.
Surely, he thought, that little peck was not all he was going to get?
‘I was drunk that night,’ she said.
‘I know.’ He saw what the problem was. She was afraid he was going to think she was easy. He said: ‘You’re even more alluring when you’re sober.’
She looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘That was the right thing to say,’ she said eventually. ‘You win the prize.’ Then she kissed him again, softly, lingering, not with the urgency of passion but with a concentration that suggested tenderness.
All too soon he heard Chuck sing out: ‘Goodnight, Diana!’
Joanne broke the kiss with Woody.
Woody said in dismay: ‘My brother was a bit quick!’
She laughed softly. ‘Goodnight, Woody,’ she said, then she turned and walked to the building.
Diana was already at the door, looking distinctly disappointed.
Woody blurted out: ‘Can we have another date?’ He sounded needy, even to himself, and he cursed his haste.
But Joanne did not seem to mind. ‘Call me,’ she said, and went inside.
Woody watched until the two girls disappeared, then he rounded on his brother. ‘Why didn’t you kiss Diana longer?’ he said crossly. ‘She seems really nice.’
‘Not my type,’ said Chuck.
‘Really?’ Woody was more mystified than annoyed. ‘Nice round tits, pretty face – what’s not to like? I’d have kissed her, if I wasn’t with Joanne.’
‘We all have different tastes.’
They started to walk back towards their parents’ apartment. ‘Well, what is your type, then?’ Woody asked Chuck.
‘There’s something I should probably explain to you, before you plan any more double dates.’
‘Okay, what?’
Chuck stopped, forcing Woody to do the same. ‘You have to swear never to tell Papa and Mama.’
‘I swear.’ Woody studied his brother in the yellow light of the street lamps. ‘What’s the big secret?’
‘I don’t like girls.’
‘A pain in the ass, I agree, but what are you going to do?’
‘I mean, I don’t like to hug and kiss them.’
‘What? Don’t be stupid.’
‘We’re all made differently, Woody.’
‘Yeah, but you’d have to be some kind of pansy.’
‘Yes.’
‘Yes, what?’
‘Yes, I’m some kind of pansy.’
