The advance agent presented a card. Upon it a photograph had been pasted and under this was the reading:
“Who am I? Meet me face to face!”
“Why,” smiled Frank in some mystification, “this is a picture of the back of a man’s head?”
“Exactly so—that’s just it!” nodded Booth, animatedly. “In me you see the inventor of that most original idea. I wish you to have that made into a slide. You throw the picture on the screen during the intermissions. A blank card is given to every person with the admission ticket. It is announced that the picture represents a well known local merchant. Who is he? The audience is given a chance to vote and the cards are collected. To those who guess correctly a one-pound box of finest chocolates is delivered next day. These confections, done up in handsome boxes, you pile up in your front windows with a neat placard explaining the scheme. A custom drawer; eh, Mr. Durham?”
“Why, I must say it is quite a novel and ingenious plan,” admitted Frank.
“Got to have some attraction like that to interest new business, sir,” declared Booth. “I have presented the plan to you first, because you stood my friend in time of need and because I am informed that you operate the leading playhouse here at Seaside Park.”
“Are you authorized to make a deal on that business, Booth?” inquired Vincent, in a blunt, matter-of-fact way.
“I am,” replied the advance agent with emphasis. “My client will sign a contract. He is one of the most reliable business men in the community. In later curtain features, first the rear view and then the front view and advertisement of my client’s business will be delineated on the screen. I have several other features to follow this one. I can make it worth your while to enter into a contract.”
“I see no objection to your proposition,” returned Frank, after a moment’s reflection. “I dislike any prize lottery contests, or anything that approaches the gambling idea; but this suggestion of yours seems clean and honest.”
He went over details with Booth and was pleased to realize that quite a neat little income was promised from this unexpected feature of the entertainments.