"What?" Recalled from his visions, Sachs gazed at Lennox with faraway eyes. "You're faking," Lennox said savagely. "And you're not kidding me with the act. These letters were written to you. You're the one who's putting the show on a spot." "They're not written to me." "I don't believe you." "Isn't it obvious?" Sachs said wearily. "What's that line from Number Two? Yes. 'You fancy college cess-pool....' And so on. I'm no college man. That's why I've still got my talent. '_A set o' dull conceited hashes confuse their brains in college classes!_' What are we going to do about Sunday?" "I don't know," Lennox said in disgust, returning the photostats to his pocket. "I'm doing the best I can with what I've got. Amateur. I should have stayed out of the act. Maybe the police can do better." "If I could whip you into coming up with something fresh, I'd throw out the Nolan. A different 'Monkey's Paw' or--That's an idea! Instead of three wishes, make it three New Year's resolutions." "Lay off, will you. There's nothing wrong with the Philip Nolan." "It isn't televisionwise, Jake." "It's as televisionwise as any book can be when you compress it into five minutes." "Don't argue with me, Jake." Sachs spoke in deadly earnest. "I have one talent in this business, and that's all. It terrifies me because it's subconscious and I can't control it. It's a quality that nobody else has.... I'm never wrong." Lennox was speechless. He opened his mouth, closed it and fled from the brain room. Robin was waiting for him in the outer reception office where she told him her experience with Sachs in an indignant whisper. Lennox took Robin out of the office. "Don't go back," he told her. "And don't worry. You've got the job. If Sachs gives you a hard time just call me. I'll take care of it." Suddenly he grinned and pinched her bottom. "This is a new role for me, Robin. I've been thinking of chasing you into bed for a year and here I am protecting you. Turns me into a pimp for virtue, doesn't it?" "Why don't you chase me a little," Robin said wickedly. "I'm curious about you." "I'll take a rain check." "I've got a rival?" Lennox nodded. "Who she?" He shook his head. "How're your chances?" "It's all reversed," Lennox said in a confused voice. "We started where most chases end and now we're working our way to the beginning." "Like running a movie backwards?" "Exactly. I used to wonder what happened to those people who had to marry each other before they met. Now I know. It's exciting, Robin. It's wonderful, but it scares hell out of you. Christ, love is mixed up on The Rock." "You got that from Kit. His favorite theme: Life and Death on The Rock." "Death," Lennox repeated. He took a breath. "No. Three down. Three to go." He departed. * * * * * He talked treason with Ned Bacon and made peace.