Read A Singular Man for Free Online Page A

a row. I'm just not up to it. Examine the stamps. Always a nice distraction. Whoa, one or two countries I've not yet heard of. What could they be after. I'm putting my soul under lock and key. And by Jesus these three go in the safe, unopened. Miss Tomson come back. I must not weaken. Open this harmless one. With one neat slit. Goodness, handmade paper inside. No. Not one of these.
    Dear Sir,
    Quite obviously you intend overlooking the particular seriousness of this matter.
    Perhaps you will have to be made to dance a different tune. And we take this opportunity of reminding you that it shall be to our music.
    We know you have read this.
    Yours faithfully,
    JJJ. & Others
    George Smith putting feeble hand to the buzzer. Still able to press down. Three shopping days till Christmas. Cigar store man has a big sign, Give Smoke For Yule. Soon as good will towards men comes round in the calendar they try to get in a sneaky boot to one's oxsters.
    "Miss Martin, come in please."
    "Yes, Mr. Smith."
    "Would you get me a glass of water."
    "Certainly. Will a paper cup do."
    "Goatskin, anything."
    "I wasn't trying to be funny, Mr. Smith."
    "I know you weren't Miss Martin, forgive me. Put all this correspondence in the safe and lock it. Bum it, eat it-"
    "I don't understand Mr. Smith."
    "Forgive me Miss Martin forgive me, in my moment of mood."
    "I'll get the water right away."
    "And ice."
    "Yes Mr. Smith, right away."
    "Hold it Miss Martin. Stop right where you are. Gome here a minute. Right over to the desk. Don't be scared. I just want you to tell me something. In my eyes. See. Just tell me what color they are."
    "I think they're green, Mr. Smith."
    "I mean the whites, what are they."
    'White. Mr. Smith."
    "How white."
    "Just white, Mr. Smith."
    "You don't think they're going grey."
    "No, Mr. Smith."
    "Or brown."
    "No."
    "Miss Martin thank you very much. Really thanks. Stop all calls. I'll be away from tonight over Christmas. And just one more thing before you go. Make an account of Miss Tomson's wages, till the end of this week."
    "Shall I mail them to her sir."
    "Don't be distant Miss Martin."
    "Sorry Mr. Smith."
    "No, don't mail them to her. Leave it on my desk. That's some buckle you have on that belt."
    "Like it Mr. Smith. Out of an antique shop. I was looking at a brass pig. And just behind it was this buckle."
    "Where is this brass pig."
    "Two blocks over and right across from a building has big sign in front which says Religious Fittings."
    "Thanks Miss Martin."
    Two thirty that unurgent time of afternoon with wandering minstrels toting signs on portable radios, it is possible I may cough again with a transplant throat. Madam I cannot speak but can feel. And past a window full of wines. And around this corner. There, Religious Fittings. With additional remarks. Crosses our speciality, everyone welcome to come in and look around. Get tacked up. Measurements free.
    Smith viewing the large stuffed ape. Under which stood the little brass pig. Overshadowed by the anthropoid's private parts. Miss Martin says she was looking at the brass pig at the time. Mustn't betray eagerness in the shop. Just look as if I'm after a cane or an instrument for some neat little ulterior appetite. I like having satisfied alone. And which I keep tucked away in my personality. Don't like the look of this proprietor.
    "Good day, are you the proprietor."
    "What do you want."
    "As a matter of fact I want canes."
    "You want canes, mister."
    "I want canes. Everyone in the shop."
    "Mister wait a minute."
    "No."
    "Well wait a minute."
    "No."
    "You mean you want all the canes."
    "Yes."
    "I got two hundred canes."
    "Wrap them up."
    "Hold it. Do you know what you're saying."
    "Wrap them up."
    "I ain't got that much wrapping paper. You don't know what you're saying."
    "Are you questioning my sanity."
    "Yeah."
    "Let me repeat. You own this shop."
    "What do you mean, repeat. You haven't said it once yet."
    "I repeat. You own this shop."
    "Look mister I understand