Ambrose Carver stood with his back to the room, intently studying a painting on the wall.
So Amby was the person Tony had asked to wait! Then the agent knew about the He show and was going to bat for Sonny Baker. Sonny would come speeding east. Perhaps Sonny would fly east and be in town to-morrow. Perhaps Amby would have him in Tony’s office reading the Larry Logan part to-morrow afternoon.
Joe had only one thought—to get out of there before the agent faced about. He didn’t want to look at a little trick mustache; he didn’t want to listen to what the brisk Amby might have to say. He pressed a down button and a door slid open. As he stepped into the car a startled voice called his name. The door closed and the elevator plunged toward the main floor.
A clock in the lobby gave the time as one-thirty. Archie Munn would have gone out for coffee and sandwiches; a Ritz à-la-Wylie lunch would be over. He debated about food without interest and ended by going to the thirty-five-cent restaurant. He ordered, but he scarcely touched what the waitress brought. He was afraid. Sonny could bring to a part two or three years of experience. Summer stock and radio experience. And all he had behind him was two auditions and a bit part in an FKIP platter.
At three o’clock he returned to Vic Wylie’s office.
“Joe!” Miss Robb cried. “Where have you been? I’ve telephoned every place. They’re auditioning the Sue Davis show.”
Joe was instantly breathless. “Where?”
“FKIP. Studio D. Mr. Wylie’s frantic.”
“What time?”
“Four o’clock.”