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104 for you. You're a jig to a dancing girl in a Tia Juana hot-spot."

He felt the sting of her lashing tongue and turned away. She pushed the counterpane back and scrambled to her feet. Her neck was scrawny, her hair snarled. She chuckled. "Come here, hon. Nita's the same as ever."

"Yes—but I'm different—today!" he cried. "I've got to go, Nita."

"No." Her voice rose. "I've listened to you all I want to. This is the middle of the night for me. Get the hell outa here!"

"If I do go," he said evenly, "you'll never see me again."

"You don't mean that."

He faced her. "I mean it aches inside me today. I've been low. I've got to restore my faith in myself."

"Ken, stay with me!" she pleaded. "Don't leave me alone!"

"I can't stand you any longer," he said bitterly. "Nita, I know you're regular. But I'm still young. I can quit all this tomorrow and never think about it again. And I mustn't wait. I gotta go now while I want to go."

She looked at him curiously. "Have you met someone?"

"No."

"What did you do last night after Pete closed up?"

"I tell you I haven't changed except … that I'm through."

"You're not," she said in a low vibrant voice. She caught his hand and wound herself about him. "Who will you dance with tonight, pretty boy?"

"I'll dance alone—or not at all."

She turned to kiss him. He avoided the contact of that