Jack and Susan in 1953 Read Online Free

Jack and Susan in 1953
Book: Jack and Susan in 1953 Read Online Free
Author: Michael McDowell
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the men who were hired to run it. But most of all, he was forced to admit, he didn’t like the fact that it was Susan Bright’s companion who had brought them there.
    As it happened, Libby Mather was further indebted to Mr. García-Cifuentes for an introduction to the roulette croupier, and was standing quite close to Rodolfo at the edge of the table, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her chips. “You are so slow, it makes me furious,” Libby complained as Jack approached. “I could have made five hundred dollars in the last ninety seconds. How much are these worth? How much money did I give you?”
    â€œThese are five-dollar chips, and you gave me two hundred dollars,” said Jack. “Why on earth do you carry around so much money, Libby?”
    â€œIn case I’m asked to elope,” returned Libby archly, “I want to make sure I have decent shoes for the wedding.” She lurched forward and placed ten of her chips, which were red, on black.
    Though he had not gone to the cage in the corner, Rodolfo had chips as well, and Jack wondered for a moment where he might have gotten them. Was he such an habitué of this Mr. Vance’s establishment that he carried them about in his pocket at all times? Rodolfo was working with ten-dollar chips and was betting on even, as well as directly on the number twenty-seven.
    Jack stood behind Libby and was watching as the croupier spun the wheel in one direction and snapped the small white ball into its trough, sending it around in the opposite direction. “It’s very bad luck to have someone standing over your shoulder at a roulette wheel,” Libby said severely.
    â€œI just thought I’d watch and see how it works,” Jack returned mildly.
    â€œI’ll buy you a book,” said Libby. “I don’t have time to teach you. Now go away. Rodolfo,” she went on in a whisper, “ask the croupier how the table’s been going tonight. Has it been running black or red?”
    Jack backed off, and headed for the bar that ran down one long side of the room. Susan was seated on a stool at one end, looking a little self-conscious, as women sitting at bars alone often did in 1953.
    â€œRum Collins,” Jack told the barman. With the memory of how he and Susan had parted four years before, it was with some apprehension that Jack turned to her and remarked, with as much inconsequence as he could muster, “We’ve both been abandoned, it appears.”
    â€œI haven’t been abandoned,” said Susan. “I just have no interest in gambling. Of course, I had no idea that Libby was so…”
    â€œYes?” Jack prompted. For the first time Jack could smell the perfume Susan was wearing. It startled him. Lilacs.
    â€œâ€¦enthusiastic,” said Susan. “About roulette.”
    â€œI didn’t know either,” returned Jack. “Has Rodolfo brought you to this place before?” He looked about with an air of unsettled mistrust. What was that perfume called?
    â€œI’ve never been here,” said Susan. There was an evasiveness about her answer that piqued Jack’s interest.
    â€œAt the restaurant,” he said, “you did look surprised when Rodolfo mentioned it.” Duchess of York. White lilacs. He’d bought Susan Duchess of York perfume their last Christmas together. She was still wearing it—but for another man. Very annoying.
    Susan paused only a moment before answering. “Rodolfo hasn’t been in New York long. I’m always surprised how well he can find his way around. It takes most people years.”
    â€œYou’ve been showing him about?” asked Jack with a pleasant smile.
    â€œRodolfo is a friend of the family,” replied Susan shortly. Then, with a smile as pleasant as Jack’s had been, she remarked, “You know I was a little surprised to see you at the restaurant with Libby.”
    â€œReally?” said
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