If I'm going to lose the hand, at least I want to deal the cards."
Nevada nodded.
He'd heard my father say the same words often enough. And he'd been the one who taught me always to reach for the deal when the stakes were high.
"But what do you know about making pictures?" Pierce asked.
"Nothing," I said. "But how many people do you know who have made a talking picture?"
That stopped him. I could see the comprehension come into his eyes. What I had said was true.
It was a new business. There were no veterans any more.
I turned back to Nevada. "Well?"
"I don't know," he said slowly. "I'm lettin' you take the whole risk. I can't lose anything."
"You're wrong!" Pierce said quickly. "If it's a stinker, your career is shot!"
Nevada smiled at him.
"I got along pretty good before," he said. "I'm a little old to worry about anything I fell into by accident."
"Well, Nevada?"
He stuck out his hand and the worry lines around his eyes lifted suddenly and he was young again.
"It's a deal, Junior."
I took his hand and then went over to the telephone. I called Moroni at the bank.
"Make arrangements to transfer the loan to Cord Explosives," I said.
"Good luck, Jonas," he said with a chuckle. "I had the feeling you were going to do it."
"Then you knew more than I did."
"That's what makes a good banker," he said.
I hung up and turned back to the others.
"Now, the first thing I do is fire Von Elster."
Nevada's face was shocked.
"But Von is one of the best in the business," he protested. "He's directed every picture I ever made. He discovered me."
"He's a lousy little shit," I said. "The minute he thought you were in trouble, he tried to sell you out.
He had Bernie Norman up here at seven o'clock this morning. They wanted to give me some free advice. I didn't talk to them."
"Now maybe you'll believe me when I say Bernie was behind the squeeze," Pierce said.
"Like it or not, Nevada," I said, "we made a deal.
It's my picture and what I say goes." He nodded silently.
"The next thing I want is for Pierce to arrange for me to see as many of the talkies as possible in the next three days.
Then, next weekend, I'll fly you all to New York. We're goin' to spend three or four days goin' to the theater. We might even pick up a stage director while we're there. We'll see."
I paused to light a cigarette and saw a sudden look come over Nevada's face.
"What are you smiling at?"
"Like I said, you're gettin' more like your pappy every day." I grinned back at him.
Just then, the waiter came in with breakfast.
Nevada and Pierce went into the bathroom to wash up and Rina and I were left alone.
There was a gentle look on her face. "If you'd only let yourself go, Jonas," she said softly, "I think you might become a human being."
I looked into her eyes. "Don't try to con me," I said.
"We both know why I did it.
You and I made our deal last night."
The gentle look faded from her face.
"Do you want me to blow you right now?" she asked.
I knew I had hit her from the way she spoke.
I smiled. "I can wait."
"So can I," she replied. "Forever, if I have to."
Just then the telephone rang.
"Get it," I said.
Rina picked it up and I heard a voice crackle for a moment, then she handed the phone to me.
"Your wife."
"Hello, Monica."