“Are you kidding me,” she asked, “or just showing me a good time?”
“Just asking questions. How about getting me some information I could use?”
She chopped at a little dab of ice-cream with the edge of her spoon, cutting it into little particles, and then tapping those little particles until there was nothing but a liquid in the bottom of the glass dish. She said, “Let’s see if I get you right, Donald. You’re working for someone. You’re trying to get information. If I gave you any information that was worth while, you couldn’t pay for it — not until you talked with someone.”
“That’s right,” I said.
“Then why should I tell you anything?”
“Just being friendly and co-operative,” I said.
“Listen. I don’t want money. That is, I don’t know anything that’s worth money, but I might be able to help. If I did, would you help me get a job in the city?”
“Frankly, I don’t know of any jobs. I might be able to introduce you to someone who would know of some.”
“If I helped you and then came to the city, would you — well, sort of show me the ropes?”
“If I could, yes.”