THE BIG CHANCE Part IV

"He does look nice."…

…When Hargrave finally pressed one of those buttons it was at Paula's desk

  that the light went on.  She started to make a grab for her notebook,

but she quickly took out her mirror first.  Then she grabbed up

her notebook and an envelope that was on the desk.

As for Nancy, what else could she do but sit here with her pretty blonde head

bent over her typewriter?

Nancy was a natural blonde, and that seemed the best way to describe her. 

She just didn't seem to know any tricks

such as Paula did for making herself more popular with the boss.

The moment Paula got inside Hargrave´s office he asked about that stateroom. 

"Any luck, Paula?"  Paula wasn't dumb.

It was little things that would count with Mr. Bill. 

Orchestra seats at the theater when an important client was in town and

the show was sold out.  Or a stateroom when were "no staterooms

to be had for love or money."

He looked again at the number of his stateroom and he put the envelope

carefully in his inside pocket.

Then he told her.  She was going to have a new job. 

He mentioned the salary, too. He didn't neglect to mention the salary.

She took it just right - in a very businesslike manner.

Just enough, of gratitude and then, the old sportsmanship.  

How sorry she felt about Nancy.  She didn't look sorry.

And neither did Bill. 

He told her it was okay, that she shouldn't worry about Nancy,

that Nancy wasn't made for the job anyway, and that besides,

he and Nancy were leaving on their honeymoon tonight,

tonight at eight-fifteen.

End