Prescott a tough customer?

KEN. No. That's just the trouble. He's a queer duck. Half the time
I feel he doesn't know I'm there.

TIPPY. He hired you, didn't he? He pays you, doesn't he? He knows
you're there!

KEN. Of course he isn't ready to use my stuff yet. Just wants me to
work it up.

TIPPY. Sure. That's what he hired you for.

KEN. But, damn it, I've been there several months and ...
[_Laughs._] Maybe the trouble is that I don't have to take orders
from anybody; maybe it's that I don't have to fuss and sweat over
details the way the others do. Maybe that's the trouble. I can work
on my plans in my own sweet way. Maybe that's it. Maybe I'm unhappy
because Prescott doesn't bawl hell out of me the way he does the
others.

TIPPY. That's it. The trouble is you've got it too good!

KEN. That's right. Maybe I've got it too good, [TED _enters. Now
has new hat, brown; better taste, better fit, and more becoming. He
and_ KEN _greet each other with a little restraint._] Hello, Ted.

TED. Hello. You look fine. Married life must agree with you.

KEN. Nothing like it. Married life, _and work_.

TED. Oh yes, work. You do have a job, haven't you?

KEN. Yes, you bet I have.

TED. And a job's a job, even if it falls from the moon.

TIPPY. The moon? Are there capitalists on the moon?

TED. Do all jobs come from capitalists?

TIPPY. Don't they?

TED. Ask Martin. He says there are no capitalists in Russia but
lots of jobs.

KEN. God, are you going Red, Ted?

TIPPY. Ted's not going anywhere, but I'm going to the kitchen to
start the muffins. The rest of the dinner is on the way, Ted. So
lick your chops for a feast.

[_He goes. There is an awkward pause, during which_ TED
_self-consciously removes his coat under_ KEN'S _curious eyes._]

KEN. Nice outfit.

TED. Glad you like it.--Going to be like old times. Regular reunion
of the Class of '29.

KEN. Yes.

[_Pause._]

TED. Where's Laura?

KEN. She's gone out to do some shopping.

TED. Oh. With Kate?

KEN. No. Kate wasn't here.

TED. She was here before.

KEN. She wasn't when we came.

TED. Oh!

KEN. Laura went with Martin.

TED. Shopping?

KEN. That's right.

[_Pause._]

TED. Great to have the whole bunch together again, huh?

KEN. Yes, great.

[_Pause._]

TED. You seem satisfied with your job.

KEN. Hell yes. It's a great job. The salary isn't anything to boast
of--yet. But the future looks like a million. You see, Prescott
didn