Joel waved as he said, “Oh, Matt, you always do that to me. ”
“I wish they did sell that fast,” Wilma Hunter said, nodding at Brown.
Francine said, “Glad to meet you, Professor. What were you doing in Hampton, Matt?”
“Out for a ride and there was old Hank waiting at the station. Must be at least 16 or 17 years since we last saw each other. Hasn't it, champ?”
“About that. I'm really an ex-professor, Mrs. Anthony,” Brown said as the poodle came over and sniffed him. Brown rubbed the dog's wooly head. The professor had big hands for a little man.
Francine lit a cigarette, blew thin clouds of smoke through her nose as she said, “Seems to me I've read something about you, Prof. Brown. A book out recently?”
Hank Brown glanced at Matt, who smiled. “I only published one book. That was quite some time ago.”
“A textbook, and a damn good one,” Matt added. “Joel, that's the racket we should be in, writing textbooks. The dough pours in, year after year.”
“But somehow your name rings a bell,” Francine said. “You can have the bedroom in the...”
“Thank you but I have to be back in New York tonight.”
There was a moment of silence which Matt enjoyed, then Francine asked him, “How many drinks did you have in Hampton?”
“I didn't even sniff a cork, my darling. I stopped to look at some new reels, glanced at the magazines,” Matt said, fingering the car keys in the pocket of his plaid shorts, certain the 'stuff' was safe in the trunk of the roadster. Brown said, “It's nearly one. I want to catch the 2:05 train.”
“Plenty of time, champ. We have a lot of talking to do. Want some lunch?”
“Thanks, Matt, but as I told you, I've already eaten.”
“How about a cocktail?” Francine said, “Matt, the doctor said—”
“Okay, honey, but the doc didn't say my guests couldn't drink. What are you guzzling these days Hank, gin and tonic, Scotch?”
“I could use a beer.”
“Splendid, I have some imported brew that's terrific Wilma?”
Wilma shook her head. Joel said, “Much too early for beer. I'll take a Scotch, please, Matt.”
Matt gave his wife a very tender smile. “Are you gassed-up for the day, yet, darling?”
“Don't be so goddamn smart, Matt. I don't want anything.”'
As Matt started for the kitchen Francine said, “Ring for May.”
“I'm not too old
“Yes.”
“Divorced your wife?” Wilma Hunter asked.
“What? No, no, nothing like that I... uh... refused to sign a loyalty oath and was dismissed from Brooks. I also had the misfortune to do this on a day when there wasn't much news.”
Matt grinned at the sudden hush in the living room, broken somewhat when Francine said harshly, “Oh, yes!”
Joel asked, “Why didn't you sign the damn thing? I mean, what the hell, avoid all the... mess?”
“Well,” Hank said slowly, obviously not wanting to discuss it, “I felt it wasn't a question of loyalty at all, but rather an invasion of privacy. Also, it's rather complicated. If I had signed I probably would have been called upon to... perhaps... become a kind of informer. I couldn't do that.”
There was a long silence and then Joel Hunter suddenly came to life, as if hearing the conversation for the first time. He sat up straight, his red face full of worry. He said, “Oh, my!”
Matt, who was standing in the doorway holding a large glass of dark thick beer and a jigger of Scotch, said, “Don't jump, Joel, Hank isn't a leper.”
Francine actually glared at Matt, then calling the dog, she left the room. Matt said sternly, “Fran!” The Hunters remained for a moment, ill at ease, then Wilma said, “Come along, Joel, show me what you want typed.”
Joel nodded at Brown and as he passed Matt gave him a sickly grin. “Don't forget your goddamn drink!” Matt said, shoving the glass at him, spilling Scotch on Joel's smooth chest.
Matt handed Brown the beer, sat down opposite him. “The smug sonsofbitches. Why didn't you tell them off, champ?”
“Can one explain hysteria in a few sentences? You were wrong, Matt, I am a modern leper. To associate with me can mean blacklist, loss of employment. Really, Matt, I wish you'd drive me to the station. You know I didn't want to come here.”
“Don't worry about the damn train, we have time. Hell of a deal when you, of all people, can't feel at ease in my house. But don't mind Francine, she's the world's biggest bitch.”
Hank stared at him over the glass of beer.
“We've hated each other from the moment we got married. That's why we're so compatible.”
