"Sit down, Tracy," Maggie said. "How'd you do?"

"Not so good," Tracy shrugged.

Maggie frowned.

"I told, you. Listen, if you want a good job in this city you have to be nice to the right people." Tracy thought about what her sister said. Maggie had an office of her own. She looked healthy and in good spirits. Her words had some wisdom. Tracy would be an old lady before she got a job in this town.

"I can get you a few minutes with Gary," Maggie said. "One more try."

"What would I have to do?" Tracy asked.

"Anything he wants."

"God," Tracy said. "I don't know if I can go through with something like that. It's so cold-blooded."

"You get used to it," Maggie said. "Should I pick up the phone?"

Tracy looked down at the floor. She could feel herself blushing red under her sister's direct gaze. She wondered what her sister would say if Maggie knew she was a virgin. A virgin. The sound of the word seemed odd in this day and time. She tried to look at things realistically. A girl couldn't keep it forever, could she?

"Yes," Tracy said in a whisper.

"Good girl," Maggie said. "But don't mess it up again or I'll never get you another interview."

Tracy waited about fifteen minutes while Maggie got through to Gary Hudson. It took another fifteen minutes for Maggie to convince Gary to see Tracy again. Tracy was amazed at the sound of Maggie's voice changing when she talked to Gary. Her voice had been businesslike but now it was sweet, low and sexy, promising things in the tone. Maggie finally hung up the phone.

"He'll see you," Maggie said. "Please don't mess it up this time."

"I'll try not to," Tracy said.

"Just do any damn thing he wants," Maggie said. "No matter how far out."

"I'll try," Tracy said again.