Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/88

 METROPOLIS give it up. It is of value to one who knows how to appreciate such things. You will not have time to pack any large trunks, either. You can only take what you need for tvventy-four hours. The journey-new outfit-a years expenses-all this is to be added to the sum: what is the price of your .Bat,. ]osaphat?" "I shall chuck you into the street," stammered }osaphat with feverish mouth. "I shall chuck you seven stories down into the street-through the window, my good sirl-through the closed window-if you don't get out this very secondl" "You love a woman. The woman does not love you. Women who are not in love are very expensive. You want to buy this woman. Very well. The threefold cost of the flat.... Life on the Adriatic coast-in Rome-on TeneriHe-on a splendid steamer around the world with a woman who wants to be bought anew every day-comprehensible, Josaphat, that the. Hat will be expensive. ,, . but to tell you the truth, I must have it, so I must pay for it," . He plunged his hands into his pocket and drew out a wad of banknotes. He pushed it across to Josaphat over the black, polished mirror-like table. ]osaphat clutched at it, leaving his nail marks behind on the table~top and threw it into Slim'! face. He caught it with a nimble, thought-swift movement, and gently laid it hack on the table. He laid a second one beside it, "Is that enough?" he asked sleepily. "No-I" shouted Josaphat's laughter. "Sensihlel" said Slim. "Very sensible. Why should you not make full use of your advantages. An opportunity like this, to' raise your whole life by one hundred rungs, to become in~ dependant, happy, free, the fulfilment of every wish, the satisfaction of every whim-to have your own, and a beautiful woman before you, will come only once in your life and never again. Seize it, Josaphat, if you are not a fooll In strict confidence: The beautiful woman of whom we spoke just ~ow has already been informed and is awaiting you near the aeroplane which is standing ready for the journey,. , . Three times the price, ]osaphat, if you do not keep the beautiful woman waiting!"

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