He beamed at me through his glasses. “It does, doesn’t it? Makes it sound so much better, too. Your receipt will be for fifty, young man. Your payment will be one thousand bucks.”
“And after that?”
“After that,” he said, “you’ll pay me ten per cent of the take.”
“How will you be protected on that?”
“Never fear.” He chuckled. “I’ll be protected.”
The secretary came in with the letter. He pushed his glasses back up on his nose with the tip of his forefinger, and his glittering black eyes read the letter carefully. He took a fountain pen, signed the letter, and handed it to the secretary. “Give it to Mr. Lam,” he said. “Have you got the fee available, Mr. Lam?”
“Not right at the present moment — not the amount you mentioned.”
“When will you have it?”
“Probably within a day or two.”
“Come in any time. I’ll be glad to see you.”