5
I got through an unusually sultry July without much interference from either Cave or the world. Paul paid me a quick visit to get the manuscript of the dialogues and I was reminded of those accounts of the progresses made by monarchs in other days, or rather of great ministers, for his party occupied four large cars which gleamed side by side in my driveway like glossy beasts while their contents, Paul and fourteen assistants, all strange to me save Stokharin, wandered disconsolately about the lawn until their departure.
Paul, though brisk, was cordial. “Trouble all over the map but b-i-g t-r-o-u-b-l-e,” he spelled it out with relish, size was important, I knew, to a publicist, even to one turned evangelist.
“Is Cave disturbed by it?”
“Doesn’t pay any attention. Haven’t seen him but Iris keeps me posted. By the way, we’re hiring a plane the first week in August to go see him, Stokharin and me. Want to come along?”
I didn’t but I said I would. I had no intention of being left out of anything: there was my work still to do.
“I’ll let you know details. This is hot stuff?” He waved the sheaf of papers I’d given him.
“Real hot,” I said but my irony was too pale, only primary colors caught Paul’s eye.
“I hope so. Got any new stunts?”
I told him, briefly, about my thoughts on marriage or rather Cave’s thoughts. The literary device was for me to ask him certain questions and for him to answer them or, at least, to ask pointed questions in his turn. Cheerfully, I had committed Cave to my own point of view and I was somewhat nervous about his reaction, not to mention the others. So far, only Clarissa knew and her approval was pleasant but perhaps frivolous: it carried little weight, I knew, with the rest.
Paul whistled. “You got us a tall order. I’m not sure we’ll be able to handle that problem yet, if ever.”
“I’ve done it carefully,” I began.
Stokharin, who had been listening with interest, came to my aid. “In the Centers we, how you say, Paul? soft-pedal the family. We advise young boys to make love to the young girls without marrying or having babies. We speak of the family as a social unit, and society changes. I am most eager to study Mr Luther’s approach. Perhaps a little aid from those of us in clinical work....”
But then the dark sedans began to purr; nervous attendants whispered to Paul and I was soon left alone with the fragments of our brief conversation to examine and interpret at my leisure. I was surprised and pleased at Stokharin’s unexpected alliance. I had thought of him as my chief antagonist. But then, my work finished, I tended roses and read Cassius Dio until the summons in August came.