Comedy of Errors by George Rothacker

Author:George Rothacker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Biographical
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Published: 2023-10-19T00:00:00+00:00

Man’s Destiny

Chapter Seventeen

After meeting with his attorney and gaining a broader perspective of the offer proposed by Whitney, Stewart called the phone number the publisher had provided in his letter. After only a few rings, a woman answered, “John Whitney’s office. May I help you?”

Stewart explained the request by Whitney for a call, after which the woman put Stewart on hold, soon returning on the line and saying,“Mr. Little, Mr. Whitney is in a meeting right now, but said that he will call you as soon as it’s concluded. Where may you be reached?”

“At the moment I’m calling from a pay phone at work. If he’s available an hour from now, he can reach me at this number: 215-Flanders 2-8161. If I can’t answer, I’ll call from that number as soon as possible. Please let me know if he’s still not available, and we can make other arrangements.”

“I’ll let Mr. Whitney know, Mr. Little. Thank you for your patience.”

Stewart returned to his office and explained to his boss that he had requested an incoming call on the pay phone in the cafeteria in one hour. Seiler nodded, and Stewart went back to work cutting overlays for the printing of some Lone Ranger tattoo transfers which had recently become part of the company’s promotional offerings. The minutes seemed like hours as Stewart kept glancing at his watch while trying to concentrate on the overlays he was cutting.

Five minutes before the appointed time, Stewart signaled his boss, and left the room under the watchful eyes of his office colleagues who hadn’t been notified of the publisher’s proposal to Stewart.

On reaching the lunch room, Stewart kept his eyes on the phone, hoping that no one in the building would rush to it prior to the call meant for him.

With a minute remaining until the hour mark, the phone rang, and Stewart answered it with an “Hello.”

“Stewart?”

“Yes. Is this Mr. Whitney?”

“Yes, Stewart. I apologize for the delay, but I’m very pleased that you called in response to my letter.”

“I was surprised to hear from you,” said Stewart. “I never expected a response of any kind from anyone concerning my cartoons.”

“Well, Stewart, The New Yorker is well read, and your cartoons are thought-provoking. After the second Kafka panel was published in the magazine, I had a gut feeling that they might strike a chord with a wider audience, especially during these tenuous times with Russia. Nuclear armament is terrifying, as is the thought that roaches may outlast us all –– humans and non-humans alike.”

“We must have read the same article. I’ve been worried about the prospects since I read On the Beach, and then more recently an article about roaches taking over. Because I grew up around roaches, I’m even more terrified of them than I am of Russia or the bomb.”

Whitney responded, “I had hoped that we could meet in person at my office to discuss your project, and the possibility of lunch afterwards, if you can find the time. I’d like to know more about you and see what else you’re working on.

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