“You're a novelty to him, Anita. He's tired of those _blasees_ creatures.” “They didn't look very blah-zay to me. They seemed to be up and doing every minute. But supposing he was crazy about me, if I said to him, 'You can have two kisses for a million dollars apiece?' can you see him begin to holler: 'Where am I? Please take me home!'” Ferriday sighed: “Perhaps you're right. It wouldn't do to give a mercenary look to your interest in him too soon. Let me talk to him.” “What's your peculiar charm?” “I'd put it up to him as a business proposition. I'd say, 'The moving-picture field is the greatest gold-field in the world.' I'd tell him how many hundred thousand theaters there are in the world, all of them eager for your pictures and only needing to be told about them. I'd tell him that for every dollar he put in he'd take out ten, in addition to furthering the artistic glory of the most beautiful genius on the dramatic horizon. I'd show him how he couldn't lose.” “But you just said--” “Oh, I know, but we can't put on the screen everything we say in the projection-room. And it is a fact that there is big money in the movies.” “There must be,” said Kedzie, “if as much has been sunk in 'em as you say.” “Yes, and it's all there for the right man to dig up if he only goes about it intelligently. Let me talk to him.” Kedzie thought hard. Then she said: “No! Not yet! You'd only scare him away. I'll do my best to get him interested in me, and you do your best to get him interested in the business; and then when the time is just right we can talk turkey. But not now, Ferri, not yet.” “You're as wise as you are beautiful,” said Ferriday, again. “I can't see your beauty, but your wisdom shines in the dark. We'll do great things together, Anita.” His arm tightened around her, reminding her that she was still in his elbow. Before she was quite alive to his purpose his lips touched her cheek. “Don't do that!” she snapped. “How dare you!” He laughed: “I forgot. The price on your kisses has just skyrocketed to a million apiece. Don't forget my commission.” She growled pettishly. He spoke more soberly: “You need me yet, little lady. Don't quench my enthusiasms too roughly or I might take up some other pretty little girl as my medium of expression. There are lots and lots of pretties born every minute, but it takes years to make a director like me.” And she knew that this was true. “I was only fooling,” she said. “Don't be mad at me. You can kiss me if you want to.” “I don't want to,” he said, as hurt as an overgrown boy or a prima donna. The door opened, and a wave of light swept into the room. A voice followed it. “Is Miss Adair in there?” “Yes,” Kedzie answered, in confusion. “Gent'man to see you.” It was Jim Dyckman. He followed closely and entered the room just as Ferriday found the electric button and switched on the light.