When he had gone Zanin hitched forward in his chair and fixed his eyes on Sue over his teacup.
“What is it, Jacob?” she asked, not facing him.
He wasted no words. “You know something of our business arrangements, Sue—Peter's and mine.”
She nodded.
“There's a complication. When we formed The Nature Film Company we had, as assets, my ideas and energy and Peters money and theatrical experience. And we had you, of course. You were vital—I built the whole idea around your personality.”
“Yes, I know,” she broke in with a touch of impatience.
“Peter stood ready to put in not more than four to five thousand dollars. That was his outside figure. He told me that it was nearly all he had—and anyway that he is living on his capital.”
“I know all that,” said she.
“Very good!” He put down his teacup and spread his hands in a sweeping gesture. “Now for the rest of it. Of course we had no organization or equipment, so we made the deal with the Interstellar people. They took a third interest. They supply studio, properties, camera men, the use of their New Jersey place and actors and hand us a bill every week. Naturally since we got to work with all our people on the outside locations, the bills have been heavy—last week and this—especially this. Before we get through they'll be heavier.” He drew a folded paper from his pocket; spread it out with a slap of a big hand; gave it to her.
“Why, Jacob,” she faltered and caught her breath. “Eight hundred and—”