So who foots the bill? How? And why?

I can get you half that amount tonight, in cash, and the other half in a week to ten days. You tell us how you want it, and that is the way it will be. 'Why?' though, do not ask that question. It will be one of the things we will be buying.

Your boss obviously has a lot of money to throw around, I said, glancing at me clock and seeing that it was now six fifteen. No, I must refuse your offer.

Then you could not be a government man. One of them would take it, and then make an arrest.

I already told you that. So what else is new?

We seem to have reached an impasse, Mister Schweitzer.

Hardly, I replied. We have simply reached the end of my preface. Since reasoning with you has failed, I must now take positive action. I apologize for this, but it is necessary.

You are really going to resort to physical violence?

I'm afraid so, I said. And don't worry. I expected a hangover this morning, so I signed for sick leave last night. I have all day. You already have a painful flesh wound, so I'll give you a break this time around.

Then I stood, cautiously, and the room swayed, but I did not let it show. I crossed to the smaller guy's chair and seized its arms and his together and raised them up from off the floor. Woozy, I was; but not weak.

I carried him off to the bathroom and set him, chair and all, in the shower stall, avoiding the forward thrustings of his head.

Then I returned to the other.

Just to keep you abreast of what is going on, I said, it all depends on the time of day. I have measured the temperature of the hot water in that stall at various times, and it can come out of there at anything from 140° to 180° Fahrenheit. Your buddy is about to get it, hot and full blast, as soon as I open his shirt and trousers and expose as much bare flesh as possible. You understand?