384
SUSAN SONTAG
record," he howled, pulling at his tie. "How can you stand
all
that bawlin'?"
"I like it," said Miss Flatface sweetly, suddenly lowering her.
self in his lap.
"Hey, watcha- "
Just then, another knock on the door.
"God damn!" muttered Miss Flatface.
It
was the dark-haired girl, good as her word, who silently
proferred a small manila envelope.
Miss Flatface tore it open, then gazed with delight upon her
own features.
Thank
God, things had not gone too far: they were
not indecently protruding. Perhaps they didn't protrude even
in
an
average way. But that a definite change had taken place-a
dis–
tinctly forward, assertive movement of her face- there could not
be
the slightest doubt. In her glee, forgetting who else there was
to
embrace, she threw her arms around the dark-haired girl and
kissed
her.
"Who's there," called out the Inspector, who although he'd
been backing off from Miss Flatface's attentions was now beginning
to feel ignored. It seemed that this day he would not have
his
mind
solely on his professional duties. "Why doncha invite yer friend
in?" he said, feigning causalness. Perhaps, he thought quickly, Mr.
Obscenity could use a report on this one, too.
"Okay," said the girl. "For my collection," she explained
to
Miss Flatface, who didn't know whether she wished to share
In–
spector Jug with anyone else.
"Well, well, well," said the Inspector. "What a pretty pair
cl
ladies we have here. One a little older"-he pointed to Miss Flat·
face, who was gratified to be mentioned first. "One a little younger,"
he said, pointing to the junior student in Marriage
&
the Family.
"One blonde"-Miss Flatface again. "And one brunette"-the
girl.
"One with dimpled knees"- it was Miss Flatface's knees that were
being fondled; "one with knees like a tennis player"-the Inspector
stroked the back of the girl's leg. "One with a mole on her-"
"Inspector Jug!"
Alas, here Inspector Jug's anatomical inventory was
rudely
interrupted. At the fireplace stood Mr. Obscenity, black-caped
and
