"Pretty words don't alleviate the truth of the situation. You know, and I know, what Readjustment is! A one-way trip down the incinerator chute!"
"All right, we know it! So shut up about it, and let's keep it to ourselves! What I'm here to find out is—What the hell are you going to do about this idiot son of yours? This is twice he's had to be covered for, in a damned short time, Bodger. I can't spend my time rescuing Lloyd from something I'm starting to think he may well deserve!"
"Aw, Fred, you wouldn't let—"
"The hell I wouldn't! I like Lloyd, and I like you, but if it starts shaking up my position in the Hive, the two of you can go to blazes! Do I make myself clear?"
"I—I'll talk to him, Fred, really I will."
"You mean you haven't!?" Stanton exploded. "What's the idea of coming home here in the middle of the day, then? I thought you were going to—" He took a closer look at the other man, then scowled. "Say, are you all right, Bodger? Your color's kind of funny. You're not ... sick?"
"Of course not!" Bodger snapped. "I'm shaken, if you must know. I came right home here to chew Lloyd out for last night's episode with the Horton girl, and when I couldn't find him, I got so mad that I thought I'd better lie down and cool off. I don't want a scene if I meet him in a public place. That would get the word out in a hurry, wouldn't it!"
"Still, you look kind of—" Stanton halted, and gave the subject up with a sigh. "Maybe I'd be, too, if I got a couple of jolts like you did. Okay, Bodger. See you back at the office, later." He turned and went out.
Bodger stood listening until he heard the front door close. Then, still shirtless, he went into the hallway and threw open the door of Lloyd's room without knocking. It was empty. But there was the elusive memory of a sweet fragrance still hovering in the air there.