“A lot better than you are likely to know her,” the young man said angrily. “Will you keep your snout out of my affairs? She’s my girl and I’m a very tough guy.”
Jason smiled. “I don’t think so. You just smell strong.”
The young man got unsteadily to his feet.
Jason said hurriedly: “Not here. Let’s go to the toilet.”
“O.K., I only just wanted to show you that I can take you and think nothing of it.”
Jason settled his check. The waiter glanced at the uneaten meal, but didn’t say anything. He seemed quite pleased with the tip Jason gave him.
“Come along,” Jason said to the young man, “let us see who is the better man.” He had to support the young man, who seemed to have considerable difficulty with his legs.
The toilet was empty, and Jason had no difficulty in overpowering the young man. He tied his hands and feet together with towels and put him in one of the closets. The young man wept with humiliation, but Jason really couldn’t be bothered to console him.
He hurried back to the restaurant, but he couldn’t see the girl anywhere. However, after what seemed to him to be hours of suspense, he caught sight of her waiting in the lounge.
He went over to the cloakroom and gave up his hat check. The girl found his hat and asked him how he was getting on.