Open Writing

'Now you're cornered,' I said, 'there's no escape.'

'Well, perhaps I don't mind being cornered by you,' she said.

'I'm flattered.'

'Don't be too flattered, there's not much competition here.'

'You mean nobody as rich?'

'Are you rich? I didn't know.'

'Well, never mind.'

'Aren't you going to make me laugh?' she asked.

'Can't I be serious?'

'You can try but that may still make me laugh.'

'Do you always play this game?'

'It's not a game, it's the way I get to know men.'

'And what happens when you've got to know them?'

'I take what they have to offer and move on.'

'Is that what you'll do to me?' I asked.

'Of course. Now may I have another drink? My name is Sybil, by the way.'

'And mine is -'

'Oh, I know yours.'

'But I thought - '

'What did you think?'

'I thought you said you didn't know I was rich.'

That's right, I didn't know you were rich. But I knew your name - so I should have guessed that you were rich, shouldn't I?'

'Yes, that follows . . . Are you bored?'

'No, not yet. But I will be at some stage . .. Now are you going to get me that drink or not? Some men would have been there and back already .. . And you still haven't made me laugh . . . When are you going to make me laugh?'