needed those fuels-whiskey, food and women-in large doses. For most of
his life he had been fighting ennui, a deep and abiding boredom with the
way the world was.
Pacing energetically, sipping his bourbon, he said, 'A green-eyed woman
named Edna.... He's right about that. We'll be reading it in the papers
tomorrow - '
'You can't know-'
'if you'd been sitting there beside him, Paul, you'd have no doubts
about it.'
'But wasn't it odd that he had his 'vision' just when you about had him
nailed?'
'Nailed for what?' Prine asked.
'Well ... for taking money. For 'if he's ever been paid more than his
expenses for that kind of work, I've no proof of it,' Prine said.
Perplexed, Stevenson said, 'Then why did you go after him?'
'I wanted to break him. Reduce him to a babbling, defenseless fool.'
Prine smiled.
'But if he wasn't guilty-'
'He's guilty of other things.'
'Like what?'
'You'll know eventually.'
Stevenson sighed. 'You enjoy humiliating them right there on
television.'
'Of course.'
'Why?'
'Why not?'
'Is it the sense of power?'
'Not at all,' Prine said. 'I enjoy exposing them as fools because they
are fools. Most men are fools. Politicians, clergymen, poets,
philosophers, businessmen, generals and admirals. Gradually, I'm
exposing the leaders in every profession. I'm going to show the
ignorant masses that their leaders are as dull-witted as they are.' He
swallowed some bourbon. When he spoke again, his voice was hard.
'Maybe someday all those fools will go at one another's throats and
leave the world to the few of us who can appreciate it.'
'What are you saying?'
'I spoke English, didn't I?'
'You sound so-bitter.'
'I've got a right to.'
'You? After your success?'
'Aren't you drinking, Paul?'
'No. Tony, I don't understand-'
'I think you should have a drink.'
Stevenson knew when he was expected to change the subject. 'I really
don't want a drink.'
'Have you ever gotten blind drunk?'
'No. I'm not much of a drinker.'
'Ever gone to bed with two girls at once?'
'What's that got to do with anything?'
