Chapter 7

           ThehandsomeyoungJapanesecouplewhohadvisitedRobertChildan’sstore,theKasouras,telephonedhimtowardtheendoftheweekandrequestedthathecometotheirapartmentfordinner.Hehadbeenwaitingforsomefurtherwordfromthem,andhewasdelighted.

           AlittleearlyheshutupAmericanArtisticHandcraftsInc.andtookapedecabtotheexclusivedistrictwheretheKasouraslived.Heknewthedistrict,althoughnowhitepeoplelivedthere.Asthepedecabcarriedhimalongthewindingstreetswiththeirlawnsandwillowtrees,Childangazedupatthemodernapartmentbuildingsandmarveledatthegraceofthedesigns.Thewrought-ironbalconies,thesoaringyetmoderncolumns,thepastelcolors,theusesofvariedtextures…itallmadeupaworkofart.Hecouldrememberwhenthishadbeennothingbutrubblefromthewar.

           ThesmallJapanesechildrenoutplayingwatchedhimwithoutcomment,thenreturnedtotheirfootballorbaseball.But,hethought,notsotheadults;thewell-dressedyoungJapanese,parkingtheircarsorenteringtheapartmentbuildings,noticedhimwithgreaterinterest.Didhelivehere?theywereperhapswondering.YoungJapanesebusinessmencominghomefromtheiroffices…eventheheadsofTradeMissionslivedhere.HenoticedparkedCadillacs.Asthepedecabtookhimclosertohisdestination,hebecameincreasinglynervous.

           Veryshortly,asheascendedthestairstotheKasouras’apartment,hethought,HereIam,notinvitedinabusinesscontext,butadinnerguest.