Jason shook his head. “I don’t think so. I thought the little girl might find that amusing.” He lifted the glass and swallowed the Scotch. He then handed the empty glass to the barman. “Fill it up,” he said. “I shall continue this performance until I feel I have enough to see me through what appears, at present, to be an exceedingly sticky evening.”
The barman put the bottle at Jason’s elbow. “Suppose you help yourself?” he said.
Jason thanked him. “Would it be against the rules if you joined me?” he asked.
The barman shook his head. “I gave up drinking three years ago,” he said.
“How extraordinary. You must tell me about it one of these days.” Jason filled his glass. “Before you go away I should like your opinion.” He leant forward. “The blonde that went out just now. Did she seem to you a trifle undressed under her gown?”
The barman’s eyebrows lifted. “I really didn’t notice, sir,” he said stiffly.
Jason nodded understandingly. “I suppose you gave that up also, three years ago,” he said. “It is really quite astonishing to meet such an iron will. I must congratulate you.”
The barman said, “You’ll excuse me, sir,” and went away down to the far end of the bar.
After several more drinks Jason felt it was time to go into the restaurant. He climbed off the stool, paid his check and went through a glass door into another large room where suppers were being served. A small dance-band played in the far corner of the room, and several couples were dancing on a pocket-handkerchief-size floor.
The head waiter took him to a table set for two near the band. He sat down. “This is my first visit here,” he confided to the waiter. “Is it possible for a lady to join me? Do you do that sort of thing here?”