The Good Life by Gordon Merrick Read Free Book Online Page A

time overcoming resistance.
    â€œI’ve been working until fairly late at night, but I’m starting an earlier shift tomorrow. Then I’ll be free at 5.” It happened to be true, but Perry knew guys who would trade with him if he asked.
    â€œThat would give me some time. Would you like to come have a drink with me tomorrow and let me see what I can do with you? You have a very fine head.”
    â€œThanks. You live in the city? I can certainly be there by 6.”
    â€œGood. Actually, I don’t live here. I live mostly in France, on the Riviera, where I keep my yacht. I’m planning to go back soon. I’ve been subletting a furnished flat for this visit. When the Munich crisis was going on, everybody thought we were going to have to hurry home, but everything seems to be all right again. Thank heavens, Chamberlain had the sense not to drag us all into war.”
    Perry was impressed by France and the yacht but disappointed that his find was going to slip through his fingers so soon. He could use a well-connected friend in the city, somebody with an entrée to the highest social level, where he might even meet Barbara Hutton. He had lost track of whether she was married or planning to marry soon, but miracles happened. She wasn’t all that much older than he.
    He pushed Mr. Vernon around for half an hour and then was directed to go back to the restaurant.
    â€œI’m so glad I met you,” the passenger said, getting out. “I’d better go see how Jimmy is faring. I promised his mother I’d look after him. I’ll expect you tomorrow at about 6 or sooner if you can make it.” He gave his address as East 66th Street and paid. He gave Perry a ten-dollar tip, a record so far.
    â€œThat’s an awful lot, Mr. Vernon,” Perry said.
    â€œPlease. Call me Billy. And I should thank you . It was worth a great deal more.” He held Perry’s hand a moment longer than usual in his slightly plump well-tended one and left.
    Perry supposed he couldn’t hope for much from the meeting, but he was sure Billy would make what he could of it.
    The sublet apartment turned out to be the sort of place Perry was beginning to hope he could take for granted, as luxuriously furnished as some where he’d gone to gay parties but considerably bigger, on two floors of a converted house. He was admitted by an attractive young man who Perry assumed might be another guest.
    â€œMr. Vernon told me to send you right up.” The young man directed him to the stairs — a manservant rather than a guest. “He’s waiting for you. I’m just leaving.”
    Perry mounted the stairs. Billy met him on the landing. “I thought it was you. I’m delighted. My word, you’re even more dashing than in your uniform. Let’s go in here.”
    He ushered him into a room where furniture had been carelessly pushed against the wall to make room for an easel. “I’m making do with this as a studio while I’m here. Laszlo has left everything we need for drinks. How old are you, Perry?” He stood in front of him and took both of Perry’s hands in his. He was wearing a loose coverall over his clothes, like a housepainter.
    â€œI was twenty-one a few months ago.”
    â€œYes. I thought you couldn’t be any older. Lucky you. It’s the perfect age. What will you have to drink?”
    Perry asked for his dependable whiskey and noticed that Billy already had a drink. When they both had glasses in hand, Billy’s eyes focused on him more sharply, and Billy moved around him, scrutinizing him carefully. “Yes. Very handsome from every angle. You don’t have a bad side.”
    Billy put a big folder of drawing paper on the easel and picked up a glasses case from the table and waved it at the folder. “I just want to do some quick sketches while we talk to see how everything fits together. Don’t pay any attention. Perhaps