"Sure," I said.
"The pizza's still hot and pretty good," Russell said.
I looked at it with ravenous eyes. I had been doing so well on my diet. but I hadn't eaten much today. I rationalized.
"Thank you."
I took a piece in a napkin and the glass of beer Tess poured and sat across from Russel
l.
"Your uncle had a great night," he said. "The feedback was terrific. We're expecting a sell-out tomorrow night. People around here love these kinds of shows. Right. Tess?"
"Oh. yes. I thought he was great, How did he do that thing where he just rises straight up?"
"I'm not allowed to reveal any secrets," I said, and they both laughed.
"I'll tell you something." Russell said, leaning forward. "I've seen a lot from backstage, of course, but the way he talks to that big puppet and the way it reacts had me going. I could almost believe it was real. right. Tess?"
She nodded.
"I mean, the detail in the face, the skin or whatever it is that's supposed to be skin, and those eyes. everything. It's the best mannequin I've seen."
"Me. too," Tess said. "So, where are you from?"
"Tennessee."
"How long have you been with your uncle?"
"A while." I said, trying to keep it as vague as I could. "I'm exploring my options."
"That's what Tess has been doing, too. For years," Russell added, and laughed. She punched him playfully in the shoulder.
"Is it true that show people are more
promiscuous?" Tess asked after a moment.
"What do you mean?"
"Loose, fun, uninhibited," she added.
"I've always found it to be so." Russell said.
"Tell me about it," Tess commented. "You know what they call this office?"
"All right, keep it to yourself," Russell said sharply.
"We're not hicks out here," Tess continued. "People who come through always think we are. Are you cool?" she asked me.
"I'm not sure what you mean." I said cautiously. "I suppose I am."
They both laughed.
"She's a careful one," Tess said. "Yeah, aren't we all."
He reached under the table and put a packet of what looked like folded wax paper on it. Then he smiled at Tess and me and carefully unwrapped it to reveal a laver of fine white powder. He reached into his shirt pocket and produced three very small straws. He took a razor and began to cut up the powder into lines.
"Tess," he said, pointing to the first line. He gave her a straw. "April," he said, pointing to the second and handing me a straw. I looked at them and took it quickly.