you suppose they got their first job? That's the hard part—to find someone who'll give you a job. Maybe we ought to go to Omaha."
"Oh Pussy, it would be a shame to spend what we've saved on Omaha."
"Let's get up and count how much we've saved."
"Not now, it's chilly—you'll catch cold."
"I won't, and I'm wide awake. I feel like practicing."
"And wake Mabel! It's about a hundred dollars. Tomorrow is payday, we'll count it tomorrow night."
"A hundred dollars! Oh boy, we're rich. I think I'll ask Clem if he knows an artist in New York City I can pose for. If I pose for Clem until June we'll have a lot more. Isn't he nice? But I am surprised he didn't have better table manners than to keep his knife in his right hand like that and eat with his left. Semy's table manners were better. He noticed Clem's table manners too. Well, I like Clem best anyway. Let's not spend another cent on perfume until we get to New York City. Anyway we have enough until then."
Nicolo Machiavelli
to
Semanter The Magnificent
My God, this book is a gold mine. A Bible.
Semanter King scanned the table of contents of The Prince. It was unbelievable. One scarcely knew where to begin. He flipped open the book. Each page was crowded with personal messages and confirmations. Take this from Chapter 10.
"Of all men who have been eulogized those who deserve it most have been authors and founders of religions. Next come such as have established Republics or Kingdoms. After these the most celebrated are those who have commanded armies, and have extended the possessions of their kingdoms or country. (Skip this—but no—the next line.) To these may be added literary men, but as these are of different kinds, they are celebrated according to their respective degrees of excellence. All others—(Well, who cares about them, Titus, Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, etc.—But Chapter 11 now) Whoever had to contend against many enemies may nevertheless overcome them, though he may be inferior in power, provided he is able to resist their first efforts … Deceit in the conduct of war is meritorious."
Also, at this time, he read Krafft-Ebing and, erotically obsessed,
