K.atHisDesk

    Heisherabruptwithnorexcessivelykindtoassociates.Orheisbothabruptandkind.

    Thetelephoneis,forhim,awhip,alash,butalsoaduitforsoothingwords,asinkintowhichhehurlgallonsofsyrupifitestothat.

    Hereadsquickly,scratgbriefents("Yes,""No")inersofthepaper.Heslouchesiherchair,lookingabouthimwithaslightlyirritatedairfornewvisitors,newdifficul?ties.Hespendshistimesendingandreceivingmessengers.

    "Ispendmytimesendingandreceivingmessen?gers,"hesays."Someofthesemessagesareim?portant.Othersarenot."

    DescribedbySecretaries

    A:"QuitefranklyIthinkhefetsalotofthings.Butthethingshefetsarethosewhichareiial.Ieventhinkhemightfetdelib?erately,toleavehismindfree.Hehastheabilitytogetridofunimportaails.Andhedoes."

    B:"OncewhenIwassick,Ihadntheardfromhim,andIthoughthehadfottenme.Youknowusuallyyourbosswillsendflowersorsomethinglikethat.Iwasinthehospital,andIwasmightyblue.Iwasinaroomwithanirl,andherbosshadheranythiher.Thensud?denlythedooropenedandtherehewaswiththebiggestbunchofyellowtulipsIdeverseeninmylife.Ahergirlsbosswaswithhim,aulipstoo.Theywerestandingtherewithallthosetulips,smiling."

    BehindtheBar

    Atacrowdedparty,hewandersbehiomakehimselfaScotdwater.HishandisoleofScotch,hisglassiswaiting.Thebar?tender,asmallmaninabeigeuniformwithgiltbuttons,politelyasksK.toreturntotheotherside,theguestsside,ofthebar."Youletonebe?hiheyallbebehindhere,"thebartendersays.

    K.Read