“They announced the program would be resumed in the fall. Well, the sponsor’s changed his mind. Mamma must find herself another meal ticket.”
Stella’s bird-like voice fluttered: “Casting starts next week.”
All their fronts had momentarily cracked. In that moment Joe Carlin felt very close to them. He took up the collection for lunch.
“See if you can get me a fat part on rye,” Lucille drawled. They were gay and casual again. Show business!
Coming back with the food, Joe was all at once conscious that the outer room had undergone another change. Once more his friends seemed to stand alone, individual and apart. Once more they had become watchful and wary.
“A gorgeous day,” Archie Munn said. “I’m going to take a stroll. Who’s with me?”
Lucille held out her cup. “I can be ready in about five minutes.”
Stella was breathless. “Let’s all go.”
Joe looked thoughtfully from the two girls to Archie Munn. Archie, ignoring the scrutiny, took his hat from a rack.
“Care to come along, Joe?”