Part 45 (1/2)
She opened a large manila envelope and took out some papers, which she placed on his desk ”I told you about my father's accident Here are all the details you asked h the was in there, from the accident report to his paid-uphis dues were up to date There was only one thing wrong The local he belonged to was bankrupt Money that was supposed to have been paid into the pension fund had disappeared along with the union's president and treasurer
He looked up at the girl, who had been watching him intently ”There is a problem”
”They have no ht”
”But my father said that you were the one who set up the pension plan for them and that they weren't supposed to be able to touch that money”
”That was the way it was set up,” he said ”But the local itself changed it”
”How can they do that?” she asked ”If you people are responsible--”
He interrupted her ”We can only advise the We haven't the authority We set up e thuik is a safe, foolproof plan If the union wants to go along with it, good If they don't-”
''It's not fair,” she said angrily ”My father said the union paid you to take care of it You have to be responsible”
”They never paid us to administer the pension plan We would have had they requested it, but all they wanted was our advisory services”
She looked down at the papers on the desk ”Then those things aren't even worth the paper they're printed on”
He didn't speak
She looked up at him, tears of frustration in her eyes ”What do we do now? My father can't work, and there are two er than I am We even applied for welfare but were turned down because I' But there's no e all can live on the thirty dollars a week I make”
”What about the union? Did your father ask if they could find a watchman's job in one of the plants for hi,” she said bitterly ”All they could tellto find out what happened after the president took off with their money”
”Let me see what I can do,” he said
She rose frorily ”You're all alike Great when you're collecting dues, but none of you are there when it's your turn to pay”
”That's not true,” he said quickly ”Most unions take their responsibilities seriously It's unfortunate that your father belonged to one where the president was a thief”
”You're all thieves,” she said ”You can't make me feel any different”
He was silent for a ently ”Why don't you sit dohile we try to figure so out?”
Slowly she returned to her chair, her eyes on his face ''Do you really think you can do so?”
''I don't know,” he admitted ”But we can try” He reached for the telephone ''Let me make a few calls”
It was almost an hour later when he put down the telephone for the last time He looked across the desk at her ”At least we have a few possibilities started Noe'll wait and see what happens”
Her eyes ins I shouldn't have said what I did”
”It's all right I understand You've had enough provocation” Suddenly he was tired ”If you don't hear fro of next week, call me”
A concern suddenly cains?”
”Just tired,” he said wearily ”It's been a rough day”
”I'm sorry,” she said ”I suppose you have lots of problems like this I didn't o”
”It's okay, Margaret,” he said He opened the bottom desk drawer ”Do you mind if I have a drink?”
She shook her head and watched as he took out the bottle and two glasses He poured himself a shot and looked over at her ”No, thanks,” she said
He sed the drink, and she could see the color colass ”Where do you work?”
”I'ency,” she said
He took the second drink ”Good job?”
”It's okay,” she said ”I' I could get' ”Do you live far from work?”
”Two-hour bus ride,” she said ”But it's not so bad I get through work at four o'clock and I'et dinner ready”
”What about your mother?”
”She's dead”
'ro Dinner will be late enough as it is”
''It's okay I've hbor to do it”
He finished his drink and returned the bottle to his desk He got to his feet ”My car's outside I can drop you at the bus station”
”I can walk,” she said ”The next bus doesn't leave until nine o'clock”
He looked at his watch It was just past seven o'clock ”Would you like to have a bite of dinner with et you to the bus in time”
She hesitated ”I've put you to too much trouble already”
”Don't be silly,” he said, s planned Just an early dinner and then to bed” He reached for the telephone His secretary answered ”Call ho dinner out” He saw the questioning look on her face ”Ma
”I'm not married,” he said