Chapter 16 September 1951

(Maxine wrote in the background) London September 10, 1951 sweetheart: This is a cute shop that just popped out of a Dickens book. If you see it, you won't love it. There are several shelves of books displayed at the entrance of the store. Before opening the door to enter, I stood outside and pretended to browse a few books at random, so that I looked like I was strolling through the bookstore as if nothing had happened.As soon as you walk into the store, the hustle and bustle is all shut out.A stale smell of ancient books came to the nostrils.I really don't know how to describe it: it is a musty smell, a long-term dusty smell, and the woody smell from the walls and floors... There is a desk on the left hand side of the store, and there is a person about five years old sitting on it. 10. A man with a pure Hogarth nose.He stood up and said to me in a northern accent, "Good day." I replied that I was just wandering, and he said politely, "Please."

Bookshelves as far as the eye could see--dark old bookcases soaring to the ceiling, with oak tops that had faded and radiated with age.Then there is a special area for displaying pictures—it should be said: a large table with many pictures stacked on top of each other.On it were beautiful paintings by Cruikshank, Rackham, Spike, and many, many other British illustrators whose names I can't name; on the other side were stacks of charming old paintings journal. I was in the store for about half an hour, waiting for your Frank or some girl to show up.However, since it was past one o'clock when I arrived, I guessed they were all out to eat and I couldn't stay long.

That's it!The preview of the new play didn’t turn out to be a crowd, but it was said that the other party was pretty good and we had a few months’ schedule, so I went out yesterday to find a rental apartment, and there was a small, pretty good one near Knightsbridge. Junior suite.It's not confirmed yet, once it's decided, I will write to you and let you know, or you can call my mother again. Three meals are not a problem, we all eat in restaurants or hotels, and the most advanced Claritz Hotel can fully supply roast beef and ribs.Although the price is outrageously expensive, it is quite a bargain when converted into US dollars, so we can still afford it.If I had been an Englishman, I would have hated this sight.But instead they were so nice to us that we were invited to their homes or restaurants everywhere.

The only thing in short supply is sugar.All sweet things are readily available.Maybe I should be thankful that I'm just here to lose a few pounds. write a letter to me. love you Maxine New York City 14 East Ninety-fifth Avenue September 15, 1951 Maxine: Thanks to your ingenuity, the bookstore has been brought to life by you—your writing is much better than mine! I just called your mother to ask for your address, and she asked me to tell you that the sugar cubes and chocolate bars have been sent to you according to your instructions.Didn't you tell me that you want to take the opportunity to lose weight?

I don't want you to think I'm sour grapes, but I really don't understand, what kind of virtue and ability are you?God let you browse all over "my bookstore"; and why should I just squat in my crappy apartment on Ninety-fifth Street and bury my head in writing this shitty "The Adventures of Ellery Queen" Scripts for TV series! "Didn't I tell you that a cigarette butt with lipstick on it can't be used as a clue to solve the case?" "Our show is sponsored by Baiyou Cigar Company, please don't make up the line "cigarette" for me." ...Even if a prop ashtray is arranged in the scene, no cigarette butts are allowed; and cigar butts are not allowed--the manufacturer thinks it is not good-looking-so, as long as there is an ashtray in the plot, there is a brand-new, Unopened Beyou cigars!

It just doesn't make sense!And yet you can flirt with John Gielgud in a bar in the Clarets! When writing letters, write more things about London - subways, alleys, old houses and courtyards...anything is fine, and write carefully.Tell me what Knightsbridge looks like. At this moment, Coates's "London Suite" seems to be ringing in my ears...it sounds so green, majestic and elegant. xxxx hh