CHAPTER EIGHT
Mike personally drove Jim O'Flanagan to Arlene's hotel, with the promise that he would pick him up at 9:18 p.m. That was necessary so Jim could be in bed by 10 p.m. back at the team headquarters. The curfew was rigidly enforced by Collins, and Jim never violated rules.
Jim didn't think it strange that Mike should take such a personal interest in his affair with Arlene. He thought Mike was just a fine fellow, a real Pros fan and a friend. It was 7 p.m. when Arlene opened the door to her room to greet him.
"We've only got a couple of hours together," said Arlene, "so we might as well make the most of the time. She had given Jim a perfunctory kiss but was unable to put any enthusiasm into it. Mike had warned her to go all out, to simulate passionate, clinging love-but somehow
