Boy's Cinema (1939-40)

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Evory Tuesday BOY'S CINEMA SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT THERE is a place half-way down Fleet Street known as "The Falstafi," and through its hospitable doorway newspaper- men drift in and out all day long. It is the kind of place where a fellow can get a mug of beer and something to eat on what money is left after the accounts department has cut the expense sheet down to nothing. Reporters go there to tell each other what they would like to do to sub-editors and proorietors. Simon Drake just went there to celebrate. Simon worked on the "Daily Gazette," and up to a couple of days ago he had been having a tough time of it. His trouble had been a man named Macgregor. Macgregor used to be News Editor of the " Gazette." and he was the toughest old Scot who had ever left Auchtermuchty. He had now been trans- ferred to the Paris ofTice—hence Simon's celebration. A couple of men who also worked on the "Gazette" hailed him as he walked ' through the door. "Hey, Simon!" one of them called. ■ Come over here and have one. AVhat's \ iviirs?" Simon told him what it was, and sat ; down. Tlie man who had spoken before I went on: "It's almost worth while being on the ' Gazette' now that old Mac's gone, eh, Simon?" Simon took a long drink and grinned. "Oh. I don't know," he said generously. " Mac wasn't so bad—sometimes. Still, it's a gentleman's life witnout him. He's [nothing but a darned slave- driver." " Well, he's certainly on his way up. Think of it! He's now in charge of our Continental edition! 'Wow! Some people Ihave all the luck." Simon took another swig at his beer. At that moment a, waitress came over and said: "Mr. Drake, your office wants you on .he phone." Simon waved her awav. "Tell them to go and chase them- ielves." he answered. "I'm due at *he jaw Courts half an hour ago! Who is it vants me, anyway?" " I'll ask, sir," the girl replied, and went .way again. When she came back, she ' It's Lord Cran- looked awe-stricken, stone!" "Lord Cr Holy smoko!" Simon slammed down his glass and charged across the bar. He grabbed hold of the telephone. " Simon Drake speaking, sir," he said "What's that, sir? Paris?" He listened for a while longer, then replaced the receiver. When he weni back to the table, his chest was several sizes larger. "What did he want?" asked one of the other men. "Has he fired you?" "Fired me!" Simon chuckled. "He's ordered me to Paris on a special assign- ment. What's more, he's told me that I have a free hand over expenses, and that I can draw all the money I want from Macgregor." "Macgregor! A free hand over ex- penses !" The other roared with laughter. " What's the old maji trying to do—kill Mac outright from shock?" .. Simon glanced at his watch. "I'm in a hurry," he said. "How about one of you fellows ringing up my wife for me and telling her to pack my bag? Then go along to my place and bring it down in a taxi to Croydon aerodrome. I've got to collect a few things from the office." "Right!" said one of them, and went over to the telephone. "Well, au revoir!" said the other. "That's Pi-ench.'' "I'll check up on it when I get there," Simon told him, and barged out into the street. Forty-five minutes later, he climbed out of a taxi and went into the ticket office at the aerodrome. Standing by the entrance was a girl. She was surrounded by luggage, and she had an impish smile. Her eyes lit up as Simon came in, and she w'ent over to him. "Hallo!" she said. "Know me?" Simon stopped and glared at her. "Don't tell me," he said. "Your name is Pat. and I seem to remember marrying you about six months ago." The girl nodded. "That's right, darling," she said. "And wasn't it nice of me to bring the luggage down here all by myself?" Simon put his hands on his hips and confronted her grimly. "■Very nice." he said. "But why? Willis said he would fix everything." 13 A day in the life cf a newspaper- man. And in Parin too where crooks move fast and say it with knives ! A grand story in which the Paramount stars Barry K. Barnes and Alistair Sim make all the excitement and fun "I know, darling." she answered sooth- ingl.v. "But I thouKht it would be sucn a waste of his time. You see, he isn't going to Paris with vou. and I am." Simon blew out his cheeks resignedly. "Now look here, Pat,'' he said, "I'm going on a very important assignment This is to be no pleasure trip. I'm after a big story, and " "I think the man at that funny little window over there is the one who sells the tickets," Pat interrupted gently. Sadly Simon pulled out his wallet and extracted some money. "Oh, what's the use?" he mumbled. "But if you're bored to tears, don't blame me. I've warned you." "Yes, darhng," Pat answered meekly, and signed to a porter to pick up the luggage. By the time Simon got into the plane, he was feeling rather glad that Pat had come after all. She was a cheerful little soul, and he hated having to go away without her. But she wasn't altogether good for work. She liked lots of fun. On the other hand, the proprietor of the " Gazette " had told him that he had a free hand with expenses, and as Pat liked spending money—well, that was going to keep her quiet while he did his work. On arrival in Paris, thev drove to one of the most expensive hotels in the city. Simon approached the reception desk. "Pardon, monsieur," he said, "mais— er parlez-vous?" "Yes, sir, I do," the clerk rephed politely. Simon blinked at him, taken slightly aback. "Oh, well—er—that's fine." he said. "I want a suite for my wife and myself. Let me see now, 'Viscount Margrave stayed here, didn't he?" "■Viscount Margrave?" Pat bi'oke in. "Who's he, Simon? Have you been keep- ing your swanky friends from me?" Simon gave her a kick on the ankle. "Shut up!" he hissed. ' "Ow!" said Pat loudly. The clerk looked a bit worried. He scratched his head and hesitated. Quickly Simon took a note for fifty francs from his pocket and laid it on the desk. "It is not going to be easy to allot you that suite, sir," the clerk said. "The management has ordered it to be—er— closed for cleaning." Silently Simon laid a second note by the side of the fu-st. The clerk coughed dis- creetly. "Excuse me a moment, sir." he said, and disappeared tlxi-ough a door mai'ked manager. Pat turned to Simon wrathfully. "What did you kick me for?" sho wanted to know. "And who is this 'Vis- count Margrave, anyway?" "Quiet, woman! Quiet!" said Simon sternly. "I will not be quiet, t want to know. Why do we have to have that particular suite? Why couldn't we have something else?" "Pipe down!" Simon whispered. "He's coming back!" The clerk retm'ned and picked up the two notes that were lying on the desk. Then he bowed slightly. " It is arranged that you have the suite, sir," he said. "It is number 305." He touched a bell, and a boy came up and took the key. He led the way to the suite, and waited politely while Simon filled in the registration card. Then, when the door had closed behind December 2u'L. :S39.