Moving pictures

said, 'that you met me.'

'It is?' said Victor, who had been thinking it was the other way around.

'You're just the type I'm looking for,' said the man.

'Sorry,' said Victor. 'I thought you were being robbed.'

'He was after this,' said the man, patting the package under his arm. It rang like a gong. 'Wouldn't have done him any good, though.'

'Not worth anything?' said Victor.

'Priceless.'

'That's all right, then,' said Victor.

The man gave up trying to reach across both of Victor's shoulders, which were quite broad, and settled for just one of them.

'But a lot of people would be disappointed,' he said. 'Now, look. You stand well. Good profile. Listen, lad, how would you like to be in moving pictures?'

'Er,' said Victor. 'No. I don't think so.'

The man gaped at him.

'You did hear what I said, didn't you?' he said. 'Moving pictures?'

'Yes.'

'Everyone wants to be in moving pictures!'

'No, thanks,' said Victor, politely. 'I'm sure it's a worthwhile job, but moving pictures doesn't sound very interesting to me.'

'I'm talking about moving pictures!'

'Yes,' said Victor mildly. 'I heard you.'

The man shook his head. 'Well,'he said, 'you've made my day. First time in weeks I've met someone who isn't desperate to get into moving pictures. I thought everyone wanted to get into moving pictures. I thought as soon as I saw you: he'll be expecting a job in moving pictures for this night's work.'

'Thanks all the same,' said Victor. 'But I don't think I'd take to it.'

'Well, I owe you something.' The little man fumbled in a pocket and produced a card. Victor took it. It read:

                                Thomas Silverfish

              Interesting and Instructive Kinematography

One and Two Reelers Nearly non-explosive Stock

1, Holy Wood

'That's if ever you change your mind,' he said. 'Everyone in Holy Wood knows me.'

Victor stared at the card. 'Thank you,' he said vaguely. 'Er. Are you a wizard?'

Silverfish glared at him.