What's Better Than Money Read Free Page B

She lifted her shoulders. “Tell me something: where can I find a cheap room to live in? I’m nearly out of money.”
    I laughed at her.
    “You should worry about money. Don’t you realise your voice is pure gold?”
    “One thing at the time,” she said. “I’ve got to economise.”
    “Come to my place,” I said. “There’s nothing cheaper, and nothing more horrible. 25 Lexon Avenue: first turning on the right as you leave here.”
    She stubbed out her cigarette and stood up.
    “Thanks. I’ll go and fix it.”
    She walked out of the bar, her hips swaying slightly, her silver head held high.
    All the lushes up the bar stared after her. One of them was stupid enough to whistle after her.
    It wasn’t until Sam nudged me that I realised she had gone without paying for the coke.
    I paid for it.
    I felt it was the least I could do after listening to that wonderful voice.
     
     

CHAPTER TWO
    I
     
    I got back to my room just after midnight. As I unlocked my door, the door opposite opened and Rima looked at me.
    “Hello,” she said. “You see: I’ve moved in.”
    “I warned you it wasn’t much,” I said, opening my door and turning on the light, “but at least it’s cheap.”
    “Did you really mean that about my singing?”
    I went into my room, leaving the door wide open and I sat on the bed.
    “I meant it. You could make money with that voice.”
    “There are thousands of singers out here starving to death.” She crossed the passage and leaned against my door post. “I hadn’t thought of competing. I think it would be easier to make money as a movie extra.”
    I hadn’t been able to work up any enthusiasm about anything since I had come out of the Army, but I was enthusiastic about her voice.
    I had already talked to Rusty about her. I had suggested she should sing in the joint, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He had agreed she could sing, but he was emphatic that he wasn’t having any woman singing in his bar. He said it was certain to lead to trouble sooner or later. He had enough trouble now running the bar without looking for more.
    “There’s a guy I know,” I said to Rima, “who might do something for you. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. He runs a night club on 10th Street. It’s not much, but it could be a start.”
    “Well, thanks. . .”
    Her voice sounded so flat I looked sharply at her.
    “Don’t you want to sing professionally?”
    “I’d do anything to make some money.”
    “Well, I’ll talk to him.”
    I kicked off my shoes, giving her the hint to go back to her room, but she still stood there watching me with her big cobalt blue eyes.
    “I’m going to hit the sack,” I said. “See you tomorrow sometime. I’ll talk to this guy.”
    “Thanks.” She still stood there. “Thanks a lot.” Then after a pause, she said, “I hate to ask you. Could you lend me five dollars? I’m flat broke.”
    I took off my coat and tossed it on a chair.
    “So am I,” I said. “I’ve been flat broke for the past six months. Don’t worry your head about it. You’ll get used to it.”
    “I haven’t had anything to eat all day.”
    I began to undo my tie.
    “Sorry. I’m broke too. I haven’t anything to spare. Go to bed. You’ll forget to be hungry when you are asleep.”
    She suddenly arched her chest at me. Her face was completely expressionless as she said, “I must have some money. I’ll spend the night with you if you will lend me five bucks. I’ll pay you back.”
    I hung up my coat in the closet. With my back turned to her I said, “Beat it. I told you: I don’t have attachments. Get out of here, will you?”
    I heard my bedroom door shut and I grimaced. Then I turned the key. After I had washed in the tin bowl on the dressing-table and changed the plaster on my face I got into bed.
    I wondered about her, and this was the first time for months that I had even thought about a woman. I wondered why she hadn’t got going as a singer before now. With a voice like hers, her