“Look here, Mann—everything's just right for us now. I've interested the Interstellar people—-that's partly what I came to say—they'll supply studio stuff for the interior scenes and a camera man. Also they'll stand a third of the expense. They're ready to sign whenever you are. And what's more important—well, here's the question of Sue.”
“What's the question?”
“It's delicate—but I'll be frank.”
“Better be. You and I are going into this as business men, Zanin.”
“Exactly. As business men. Well—Sue's a girl, after all. In this thing we are staking a lot on her interest and enthusiasm—pretty nearly everything.”
“Of course.
“Well, she's ready—eager. I know her pretty thoroughly, Mann. I've studied her. We have no real hold on her. She isn't a professional actress, to be hired at so much a week. Her only reason for going into it at all, is that she believes, with you and me, that the thing ought to be done. Now that's all right. It's fine! But it's going to take delicate handling. A girl acts as she feels, you know. Right now Sue feels like doing my Nature film with all her might.” He spread out his hands. In his eyes was an eager appeal. “God, Maun, that's all we've got! Don't you see? Just Sue's feelings!”
“I see,” Peter replied. He threw the last heap of photographs on the fire. “But what was the frank thing?”
Zanin hesitated; drummed nervously on the chair-arm. “I'm coming to that. It's a bit awkward, Mann. It's—well, I am more or less in Sue's confidence, you know. I'm with her so much, I can sense her moods.... The fact is, Mann, if you'll let me say so, you don't seem to understand women.”
“So I've been told,” remarked Peter dryly. “Go on with it.”