Над пропастью во ржи

           Theyweretheheighthofmodestyinthemorning.ThenIwentdownintheelevatorandcheckedout.Ididn’tseeoldMauricearoundanywhere.Ididn’tbreakmynecklookingforhim,naturally,thebastard.

           Igotacaboutsidethehotel,butIdidn’thavethefaintestdamnideawhereIwasgoing.Ihadnoplacetogo.ItwasonlySunday,andIcouldn’tgohometillWednesday—orTuesdaythesoonest.AndIcertainlydidn’tfeellikegoingtoanotherhotelandgettingmybrainsbeatout.SowhatIdid,ItoldthedrivertotakemetoGrandCentralStation.ItwasrightneartheBiltmore,whereIwasmeetingSallylater,andIfiguredwhatI’ddo,I’dcheckmybagsinoneofthosestrongboxesthattheygiveyouakeyto,thengetsomebreakfast.Iwassortofhungry.WhileIwasinthecab,Itookoutmywalletandsortofcountedmymoney.Idon’trememberexactlywhatIhadleft,butitwasnofortuneoranything.I’dspentaking’sransominabouttwolousyweeks.Ireallyhad.I’magoddamspendthriftatheart.WhatIdon’tspend,Ilose.HalfthetimeIsortofevenforgettopickupmychange,atrestaurantsandnightclubsandall.Itdrivesmyparentscrazy.Youcan’tblamethem.Myfather’squitewealthy,though.Idon’tknowhowmuchhemakes—he’sneverdiscussedthatstuffwithme—butIimaginequitealot.He’sacorporationlawyer.Thoseboysreallyhaulitin.AnotherreasonIknowhe’squitewelloff,he’salwaysinvestingmoneyinshowsonBroadway.Theyalwaysflop,though,anditdrivesmymothercrazywhenhedoesit.Shehasn’tfelttoohealthysincemybrotherAlliedied.She’sverynervous.That’sanotherreasonwhyIhatedlikehellforhertoknowIgottheaxagain.

           AfterIputmybagsinoneofthosestrongboxesatthestation,Iwentintothislittlesandwichbarandbadbreakfast.