Leila noticed. 'Good God, Sparrow, don't get sick now. It's just another few minutes.'
She couldn't wait to get off the bus. She just wanted to smell cool, clean air. But the air was heavy, and it was so hot-hotter even than at home. Elizabeth felt fretful and tired. She was about to complain, but then she saw how tired Leila looked.
They had just left the platform when a man came over to Leila. He was thin, and his dark hair was curly but started pretty far back. He had long sideburns and small brown eyes that got squinty when he smiled. 'I'm Lon Pedsell,' he said. 'Are you the model the Arbitron Agency from Maryland sent?'
Of course Leila wasn't the model, but Elizabeth could tell she didn't want to just say no. 'There wasn't anyone else my age on this bus' was the way she answered him.
'And obviously you are a model.'
'I'm an actress.'
The man brightened up as though Leila had given him a present. 'This is a break for me, and I hope for you. If you can use a modeling job, you'd be perfect. The pay is one hundred dollars for the sitting.'
Leila put down her bags and squeezed Elizabeth 's shoulder. It was her way of saying, 'Let me do the talking.'
'I can tell that you're agreeable,' Lon Pedsell said. 'Come on. I've got my car outside.'
* * * Elizabeth was surprised at his studio. When Leila talked about New York, she'd thought that every place Leila worked would be beautiful. But Lon Pedsell took them to a dirty street about six blocks from the bus terminal. Lots of people were sitting on stoops, and garbage was spilled all over the sidewalk. 'I have to apologize for my temporary situation, ' he said. 'I lost the lease on my place across town, and the new one is still being equipped.'
The apartment he brought them to was on the fourth floor and as messy as Mama's house. Lon was breathing hard because he insisted on carrying the two big suitcases. 'Why don't I get a Coke for your sister, and she can watch television while you pose?' he said to Leila.
Elizabeth could tell that Leila just wasn't sure what to do. 'What kind of model am I supposed to be?' she asked.
'It's for a new swimsuit line. Actually, I'm doing the test shots for the agency. The girl they choose will do a whole series of ads. You're pretty lucky you ran into me today. I have a hunch you're just the type they have in mind.'
He brought them into the kitchen. It was a tiny, dingy room with a small television set on a ledge over the sink. He poured a Coke for Elizabeth and wine for Leila and himself. 'I'll have a Coke, 'Leila said.
'Suit yourself.' He turned on the television set. 'Now, Elizabeth, I'm going to close the door so leila can concentrate. You just stay here and keep yourself amused.'
* * * Elizabeth watched three programs. Sometimes she could hear Leila saying in a loud voice, 'I don't like that idea,' but she didn't sound scared, just kind of worried. After a while she came out. 'I'm finished, Sparrow. Let's get our bags.' Then she turned to Lon. 'Do you know where we can get a furnished room?'
'Would you like to stay here?'
'No. Just give me my hundred dollars.'
'If you'll sign this release …'
When Leila signed, he smiled over at Elizabeth. 'You must be proud of your big sister. She's on her way to becoming a famous model.'
Leila handed him the paper. 'Give me the hundred dollars.'
'Oh, the agency will pay you. Here's their card. Just go over in the morning and they'll issue a check.'
'But you said-'
'Leila, you really are going to have to learn the business. Photographers don't pay models. The agency pays when it gets the release.'
He didn't offer to help them carry down their bags.
* * * A hamburger and milk shake at a restaurant called Chock Full o' Nuts made both of them feel better. Leila had bought a street map of New York City and a newspaper. She began to read the real estate section. 'Here's an apartment that sounds about right: 'Penthouse; fourteen rooms, spectacular view, wraparound terrace.' Someday, Sparrow. I promise.'
They found an ad for an apartment to share. Leila looked at the street map. 'It doesn't look too bad,' she said. ' Ninety-fifth Street and West End Avenue isn't that far, and we can get a bus.'
The apartment turned out to be okay, but the woman's nice smile disappeared when she learned that Elizabeth was part of the deal. 'No kids,' she said flatly.
It was the same everywhere they went. Finally, at seven o'clock, Leila asked a cabdriver if he knew of any cheap but decent place to stay where she could bring Elizabeth. He suggested a rooming house in Greenwich Village .
* * * The next morning they went to the model agency on Madison Avenue to collect Leila's money. The door of the agency was locked, and a sign read, 'Put your composite in the mailbox.' The mailbox had a half-dozen manila envelopes in it already. Leila pressed her finger on the bell. A voice came over the intercom. 'Do you have an appointment?'
'We're here to pick up my money,'Leila said.
She and the woman began to argue. Finally the woman shouted, 'Get lost.' Leila pressed the bell again and didn't stop until someone yanked the door open. Elizabeth shrank back. The woman had heavy dark hair all done up in braids on her head. Her eyes were coal black, and her whole face was terribly angry. The woman
