Episode 2

Mr. Steward looked embarrassed. "I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to tell you that," he said.

"However, I can assure you, the organization is of international scope.

"I think you'd better leave," Arthur said standing.

Mr. Steward rose. " Of course."

"And take button unit with you."

"Are you sure you won't care to think about it for a day or so?"

Arthur picked up the button unit and envelope and thurst them into Mr. Steward's hands. He walked into the hall and opened the door.

"I'll leave my card." said Mr. Steward. He placed it on the table by the door.

When he was gone, Arthur tore it in half and tossed the pieces onto the table.

Norma was still sitting on the sofa. "What do you think it was?" She asked.

"I don't care to know," he answered.

She tried to smile but couldn't. "Aren't you curious at all?"

"No." He shocked his head.

After Arthur has returned to his book, Norma went back to kitchen and finished washing the dishes.

"Why won't you talk about it?" Norma asked.

Arthur's eyes shifted as he brushed his teeth. He looked at her reflect in the bathroom mirror.

"Doesn't it intrigue you?"

"It offends me, Arthur said.

"I know but" ______ Norma rolled another curl in her hair_____" Doesn't it intrigue you\, too?" "You think it's a practical joke?" She asked as they went into the room.

" If it is, it's a sick one."

Norma sat on her chair and said after a moment.

"May be it is some kind od psychological research."

Arthur shrugged. " Could be."

" May be some eccentric millionaire is doing it."

" May be."

" Wouldn't you like to know?" Arthur shocked his head.

" Why?"

" Because it is immortal."he told her. Norma slid beneath the covers. " Well, it is intriguing," she said. Arthur turned off the lamp." Good night." he said.

Norma closed her eyes. Fifty thousand dollars, she thought. In the morning as she left the apartment, Norma saw card halves on the table. Impulsively she dropped them into her purse.

She locked the front door and joined Arthur in the elevator.

While she was on her coffee break, she took the card halves from her purse and held the torn edges together. Only Mr. Steward's name and telephone number was printed on the card. After lunch, she took the card halves from her purse again and scotch-taped the edges together. "Why am I doing this?" She thought. Just before five she dialed the number.

"Good afternoon said Mr. Steward's voice.

Norma almost hung up herself but restrained herself.

She clear her throat.

"Thus is Mrs. Lewis." she said.

"Yes, Mrs. Lewis." Mr. Steward sounded pleased.

" I'm curious."

" That's natural." Mr. Steward said.

" Not that I believe a word of what you told us."

" Oh, it's quite authentic." Mr. Steward answered.

" Well\, whatever_______" Norma swallowed. " When you said someone in the world would die what did you mean?"

" Exactly that" he answered. " It could be anyone. All we guarantee that you don't know them. And, of course, that you won't have to watch them die."

" For $50,000." Norma said.