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Spires and Gargoyles
AfternoonatthePlaza,withwintertwilighthoveringoutsideandfaintdrumsdown-stairs...theystrutandfretinthelobby,takinganothercocktail,scrupulouslyattiredandwaiting.Thentheswingingdoorsrevolveandthreebundlesoffurmincein.Thetheatrecomesafterward;thenatableattheMidnightFrolic—ofcourse,motherwillbealongthere,butshewillserveonlytomakethingsmoresecretiveandbrilliantasshesitsinsolitarystateatthedesertedtableandthinkssuchentertainmentsasthisarenothalfsobadastheyarepainted,onlyratherwearying.ButtheP.D.isinloveagain...itwasodd,wasn’tit?—thatthoughtherewassomuchroomleftinthetaxitheP.D.andtheboyfromWilliamsweresomehowcrowdedoutandhadtogoinaseparatecar.Odd!Didn’tyounoticehowflushedtheP.D.waswhenshearrivedjustsevenminuteslate?ButtheP.D."getsawaywithit."
The"belle"hadbecomethe"flirt,"the"flirt"hadbecomethe"babyvamp."The"belle"hadfiveorsixcallerseveryafternoon.IftheP.D.,bysomestrangeaccident,hastwo,itismadeprettyuncomfortablefortheonewhohasn’tadatewithher.The"belle"wassurroundedbyadozenmenintheintermissionsbetweendances.TrytofindtheP.D.betweendances,justtrytofindher.
Thesamegirl...deepinanatmosphereofjunglemusicandthequestioningofmoralcodes.Amoryfounditratherfascinatingtofeelthatanypopulargirlhemetbeforeeighthemightquitepossiblykissbeforetwelve.
