The Washington times., 1932-12-15
"I was in. the theatrical bust
ness, sir" said he.
"I thought so," said I.
Staggering Expenses

Staggering Expenses
At the conclusion of each
days work Abe presented me
with an expense account. Since
my director, my cameraman
and I have been working
steadily in an attempt to grind
out fairly decent motion picture
stuff, it is only natural that the
costs should be rather heavy
But Abe didn't make them
heavy; he made them stag
gering.
It was nothing at all for him
to tell me that a blind beggar
wouldn't have posed unless he
had been given 200 francS-or
So in our money. Or for him to
tack on q few vague incidentalS
that ran anywhere from $40 to
$40 a day.
The first two days, I didn't
object too strenuously. wanted
to see how far my friend would
go. But late this afternoon,
when he Strolled in and handed
me the most absurd bill have
looked upon--incIuding my own
expense accounts boiled over.
Enough was too much.
"Sit down, Abe" I said
Sweetly enough. He sat. I went
into my bedroom and took my
revolver from my bag. I re-
turned to the other room, threw
the gun careleSsly upon the
table and sat down beside Abe.
One look at his face and had
all I could do to keep from
laughing.
The man had turned a pasty
green. He was wetting his lips
nervously. He leaned backward
and pointed shakily at the gun.
What" he muttered, "is that
for?"
I placed a hand on his
shoulder.
That, Abe" Il said softly, els
for the next time you mention
anything more about an Orien-
tai dance. Now I'm going to
tell you something, and I want
you to get me straight.
Brother Racketeers
I don't mind paying you a
little extra every now and
then, because I somehow sense
the fact that, in different di-
rections, we're a couple of
brother racketeers. You get
paid for doing nothing, and so
do I. ....
But here's the catch. I
don't want you ever to think
that you're putting anything
over on me. The way I figure
1t, you have already gypped
me out jof some 300 francs. Am
I correct?"
Abe scratched his head,
which is something he does ex-
tremely well. It was evident
tn at he was. deliberating
whether to bluff the thing
through, or to take his chances
on playing ball. He finally de-
cided upon the latter course.
Gentleman" he replied,
you are a most unusual man,
So I will give you a most un.
usual reply. You are giving me
too much credit. I have not
gypped you out of 800 francs.
AS a matter of fact, I don't
mink it Is more than 5OO!"
IL was at that moment that
ABE and I became friends. I
laughed, put. out my hand
and he shook it warmly.
"Okay, Abe" I cried, I'VE
now understand each other for
the first time. From now on
the party's over. If you think
you can steal a few francs
from me every now and then,
you're welcome to 60 ahead and
try 1t. But be sure that I
don't catch you"
The guide arose. He sighed
and moved toward the door
WHATS the matter, Abe?" I
asked. "Our little conversation
uidnt nSII leave you unhappy, did
He nodded.
1T did" he replied, and
since the American Is a gen.
GIeman, I win tell him why.
Tnere has never been a film
OUTFIT here from which I wasn't
able to steal at least $500
from you ] am now positive
VIII not be able to take mora
than $500. Good night, Sir /"
DOQgOnA n H(ra fkot -.