“You couldn’t have reached me anyway. I was in one of the cottages.”
“What the hell were you doing there? I mean, in February!”
“Let’s say taking stock, brother mine.… Nice office, Chance. I can’t remember when I was here last.”
“About three years ago.”
“What are all those gadgets?” asked Ulster, pointing at the desk.
“Newest equipment. See.… Here’s an electric calendar that lights up on specific days to remind me of meetings. This is an intercommunicator setup with eighteen offices in the building. Now, right here a private wire to …”
“Never mind. I’m impressed. I haven’t much time. I thought you might like to know.… I may get married.”
“What!… Ulster, my God in heaven! You! Married! You’re going to get married?”
“Seems to be a general request.”
“Who, for God’s sake!”
“Oh, I’ve whittled the numbers down, sport. Don’t fret. She’ll be acceptable.”
Chancellor eyed his brother coldly. He was prepared to be told that Ulster had chosen some Broadway trollop from a Ziegfeld show, or, perhaps, one of those weird female writers in black sweaters and men’s haircuts who were always at Ulster’s parties.
“Acceptable to whom?”
“Well, let’s see, I’ve tried out most of them.”
“I’m not interested in your sex life! Who?”
“Oh, but you should be. Most of your wife’s friends—married and otherwise—are lousy lays.”
“Just tell me who you intend honoring, if you don’t mind?”
“What would you say to the Saxon girl?”
“Janet!… Janet Saxon!” Chancellor cried out with delight.
“I think she’d do,” murmured Ulster.
“Do! Why, she’s wonderful! Mother will be so pleased! She’s just terrific!”
“She’ll do.” Ulster was strangely quiet.
“Ulster, I can’t tell you how pleased I am. You’ve asked her, of course.” It was a statement.
“Why, Chance, how can you think that?… I wasn’t sure she’d pass inspection.”
“I see what you mean. Of course.… But I’m sure she will. Have you told Mother? Is that why she’s calling so hysterically?”
“I’ve never seen Mother hysterical. That should be quite a sight.”
“Really, you should phone her right away.”
“I will. Give me a minute.… I want to say something. It’s quite personal.” Ulster Scarlett sat carelessly down in a chair in front of his brother’s desk.
Chancellor, knowing that his brother rarely wanted to be personal, took his seat apprehensively. “What is it?”
“I was pulling your leg a few minutes ago. I mean about the lays.”
“I’m relieved to hear that!”
“Oh, don’t mistake me—I’m not saying it isn’t true—just tasteless of me to discuss it.… I wanted to see you get upset. Take it easy, I had a reason.… I think it makes my case stronger.”
“What case?”
“It’s why I went out to the island.… To do a lot of thinking.… The aimless, crazy days are coming to an end. Not overnight, but they’re slowly fading out.”
Chancellor looked intently at his brother. “I’ve never heard you talk like this before.”
“You do a lot of thinking in a cottage by yourself. No telephones, no one barging in on you.… Oh, I’m not making any big promises I can’t keep. I don’t have to do that. But I want to try.… I guess you’re the only person I can turn to.”
Chancellor Scarlett was touched. “What can I do?”
“I’d like to get some kind of position. Informal, at first. Nothing regimented. See if I can’t get interested in something.”
“Of course! I’ll get you a job here! It’ll be simply great working together.”
“No. Not here. That’d be just another gift. No. I want to do what I should have done a long time ago. Do what you did. Start right at home.”
“At home. What kind of position is that?”
“Figuratively speaking, I want to learn everything I
can about us. The family. Scarlatti. Its interests, businesses, that sort of thing.… That’s what you did and I’ve always admired you for it.”
“Did you really?” Chancellor was very serious.
“Yes, I did.… I took a lot of papers out to the island with me. Reports and things I picked up at mother’s office. We do a lot of work with that bank downtown, don’t we? What in hell is the name?”