Part 25 (2/2)

”Sure, darling, I'll go any place--let's gather up all the licker we have left here and get started,” as she began to set all the bottles on the sink.

The news spread, and soon everybody was singing in a loud voice, ”we're going to the Hussman--we're going to the Hussman,” amidst much skipping and dancing.

”Shall I call Tony?” asked Evelyn.

”Sure,” answered Pearl. ”The sooner the better.”

”You better call several cars for this mob,” said Pearl.

”How many of them are there?” asked Evelyn, as she picked up the phone.

”I don't know, but you better call about five or six cars, maybe seven--there's some people out in the yard, and it's too dark to see how many there are.”

”h.e.l.lo, Tony--this is Ev--well, look--we want you to send some transportation out to Mickey's for the party that is moving to the Hussman--you knew that there was a party going on, didn't you? Well, I guess there wasn't anyone who didn't--come right on out--O.

K.--good-bye,” as she hung up. ”They will be here right away.”

The cars soon began to arrive, the drivers were taken in and made to drink whether they wanted to or not, and there were none who didn't want to. Seven cars were little enough--people were hanging all over the outsides of the cars, screaming and singing, some fully dressed, others partially dressed, others with only a street coat and shoes on.

They arrived at the Hussman--the bellboys were rus.h.i.+ng around madly, expecting at least to earn some tips, which they did by bringing ice, and ginger ale to the room, the crowd unloaded in front of the hotel, each one trying not to look drunk and to be a lady or gentleman, until they got through the lobby to the elevator--some were helping others, others were staggering it alone. Pearl and Evelyn and Mickey in the lead, with Mickey loaded down with bottles, wrapped in a sheet like it might be soiled laundry, elevators started the mad procession of getting everyone off on the right floor, which became more noisy as the newness of the place began to wear off.

Pearl threw everything wide open, told everybody to make themselves at home, which they were already doing--those who had gotten thirsty on the ride were already in the kitchenette, uncorking bottles. Evelyn sat at the phone, ordering more liquor; Pearl and Harry, locked in each other's arms, oblivious to all that was taking place. Mickey eyeing one of the taxi drivers that the crowd had brought with them, and wondering how much he might have in his pockets, and proceeding to make him drunk enough to find out.

The party grew--other guests who were on the same floor, who were in the mood, joined in the crowd. People were going from one room to another, soon the phone in Pearl's apartment began to ring--the management asked them to be just a little more quiet, as they were annoying guests five floors away. The crowd was quiet at least three minutes, when it began all over again, in all its flamboyancy--drinking began to get heavier, some of the crowd began to pa.s.s out wherever they happened to be--that's where they lay.

Noon the following day.

Big Boy approached the desk of the Hussman. ”Is Miss Jones in?”

”That would be rather hard to say, sir,” answered the clerk, ”but I'll try and find out.”

”What do you mean by that?” asked Big Boy, puzzled.

”Well, you see, sir--there has been a party going on on that floor, and in her apartment, since last night, and it's only been quiet for about two hours now. There were a few who left, I'll find out if Miss Jones is still up there,” as he asked the operator to ring Pearl's apartment, which she did for several minutes, but got no answer.

”I'll go up and see if she is there, and what the h.e.l.l's going on,” as he started for the elevator.

The apartment door was standing half open--two of the maids were peeking in, and commenting in low tones on what they saw, as Big Boy came up, they moved away.

He pushed the door open, stood looking in at the sight that greeted him--of bodies laying on the floor, piled on the divan, on chairs, and on each other. He started for Pearl's bedroom.

Pearl was laying in Harry's arms on the bed, where they had both pa.s.sed out hours before. Evelyn was laying on the floor on one side, and Mickey on the other. Mickey had pa.s.sed out with her hand in the taxi driver's pocket.

Big Boy quivered with rage--he grabbed Harry and Pearl by the arms, and dragged them out of bed, nothing on his mind except that Pearl had lied to him again.

Twenty minutes later the police began to arrive--screaming a partly clad woman, running through the lobby headed for the street, made the more respectable guests' eyes bulge in amazement.

Pearl's apartment was a total loss. Big Boy had completely wrecked it with Harry, who had come out of his stupor long enough to put up a savage fight, all the partic.i.p.ants of the party that could make a get-away had done so, except those that were too drunk to realize that this might mean a jail sentence. Evelyn had taken Pearl into the bathroom, with the help of Mickey, and they were trying to revive her.

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