The Trouble With Eden - Lawrence Block [113]
“I took some of your mother’s pills once when she dieting. Those would be amphetamine, wouldn’t they?”
“Probably.”
“Then I see what you mean. There was too much mental energy and no place for it to go. It’s something like that now. I haven’t had this feeling on a book in years, and by God it’s a good feeling, but I’d like to be able to close the door on it when the day’s over.”
“Oh, you had some phone calls. Mentioning Mother reminded me. She called.”
“What did she want?”
“Also Mary Fradin.”
“Again? I hope I’m not supposed to call her.”
“Just a minute, I wrote it down. No, you don’t have to call her. She thinks she has a three-book contract almost nailed down with Huber and Lazarus, whoever they are.”
“A publishing house.”
“Also she had a feeler from somebody interested in making a television movie of Caleb’s House. She’ll report on that if there’s anything definite.”
“Then why bother me with it in the meantime?” He drank half his drink. Mary had been calling far more frequently than usual lately, ever since he had spoken to her about The Edge of Thought. Evidently she had caught his own enthusiasm for the book and felt it might serve as a turning point in his career. A week ago she had reported that his most recent editor had left Hugh’s publishers for a position at another house. Hugh’s publishers had recently had an especially high turnover rate in an industry where musical chairs was a way of life, so Hugh had not been surprised.
“Well, I won’t much miss him,” he had said. “Editors come and editors go but Markarian is here to stay. The one constant in a world of change.”
“Maybe it’s time for you to be a rat.”
“And leave the ship? I didn’t know that boat was sinking.”
“I think it is as far as you’re concerned,” Mary had said. “They’ve been taking you for granted for years.”
“I’m easy to take for granted.”
“Only because they’re in a position to do it. I’ve had interest from other houses on and off over the years. I never bothered you about it because I didn’t think it was worthwhile. But right about now might be a good time. I ought to be able to get you a three or four-book contract with a healthy advance. A very healthy advance, I’m thinking in terms of six figures.”
“That’s healthy, but isn’t that just numbers? I don’t have any particular need for cash at the moment.”
“Lucky you. It isn’t just numbers. It’s an investment on their part. If they put up that kind of money in front, they have to back it up with the kind of advertising and promotion you deserve. And which you’re not getting from you-know-who. All we need is the right book to make the jump with, and I think you’re writing that book right now.”
“I haven’t even let on what it’s about.”
“No, but how long have I known you, Hugh? You’ve never been this excited about anything you’ve done. That’s good enough for me.”
“Your faith is reassuring, but—”
“Cut the crap. The only thing I have faith in is that ten percent of six figures is five figures. And this new one—damn it, I can’t think of the title—”
“I never told you the title. Nice try, Mary.”
“Why don’t you tell me the title, lamb?”
“No.”
“Jesus, give me something to play with. The title, the theme, something. You’re a pro, for Christ’s sake. You’re not going to lose the handle this late in the game. You sound like one of those baseball players who won’t change their socks while the team’s on a winning streak.”
But he had been adamant and she had stopped trying to push him. Still, she kept finding excuses to call him, dangling possible deals in front of him every chance she got. He was pleased by her enthusiasm and knew it would still be there when the book was done. As far as a switch in publishers was concerned, he had told her to use her own judgment and get what she felt were the best terms at the best house.
“You’re the agent,” he had said.
“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t constitutionally opposed to a jump.”
“Why should I be?”
“The