"From the looks of business," Hotstuff said, "you could probably have it for a song."
"Even so," Marc said doggedly, "we are not a crowd. We are only two people, and I'm positive Julie is quite capable of picking a strange young lady out of a group of two."
"I'd be very happy to accompany you," Hotstuff said. "In fact I insist on it, so's I can protect my investment."
"There!" Toffee said. "We're forming a crowd already. All we need are about twenty more."
"And where are we going to get them?" Marc asked serenely.
"I could have a number of my business acquaintances and their—uh—molls—out here on the corner in a flash," Hotstuff offered obligingly. "I know a number of personalities who are quite hot to get out of town for various reasons."
"Go get them!" Toffee said. "We'll hire the bus while you're gone."
"Now, just a second...." Marc yelled, but Hotstuff had already scurried off down the street toward the corner poolhall.
The deal for the bus was concluded in almost the same instant that Marc approached the gangling individual on the sidewalk.