The Black Museum - The Jack Handle

During the war, London lived in the blackout, and many American soldiers found their after-dark amusement in tiny hole-in-the-wall cafes. Small places with a few tables, not much light, and the blackout curtains. The girl singing is pretty in a tawdry sort of way, but the two young men, named Ted and Tom, in the American uniforms don't seem to mind. Ted says "How's about it, Tom? Not bad for a dive?" Tom says "Not too bad. Five will get you ten, it's out of bounds" Ted says "Not yet. it just opened. The MP's haven't cased the joint yet". Their interest shifts, and quite naturally, of course, to the singer. Tom says "She's not too bad. Maybe she dates". Ted says "You wouldn't know what to do about it if she does". Tom says "Says who?" Ted says "Says me. What did you do, stateside, anyway?" Tom says "I worked in a bank. So what? I got along. I did all right". Ted says "Hiding in the Army?" Tom says "Hiding in the.... oh, maybe. Could be. Look, Teddy, what you don't know won't hurt you, see". Ted asks "That apply to Gracie?" Tom says "Gracie? You mean the babe?" Ted says "Who else? Grace Harwell". Tom asks "You know her?" Ted says "I met her a couple of times". He calls her over to their table. Gracie says "Well, Teddy, the yank who thought he'd take Soho single-handed". Ted says "Sit down, Gracie. What'll you have?" She says "My regular. Who's your friend?" Ted says "Oh, meet Private Tom Bennett, Gracie Harwell". Tom says "Hi". She says "Hello, soldier". Ted gets up and says "Let me get you a drink, Gracie", and goes toward the bar. Tom says "Grace?" She says "Yeah?" Tom says "How would you like to help me win a bet?" Gracie says "Well, this is a new approach". Tom says "Good. Now, look, all I need to win, is a date with you, see, for tomorrow night. Well, how about it? After the show?" Gracie asks "You on furlough?" Tom says "Maybe. Maybe not. I'll be in town tomorrow night". She asks "Got a car with petrol?" Tom says "No, but I will have". She says "You said it like you meant it". Tom says "I will have a car and gas". Gracie says "I'm not saying for sure, but be outside at one o'clock in the morning. You may win your bet"