Jackpot. Chapter 13

The next day, José refuses to leave his room. He tells Smedley he’s sick and asks him to keep Leon away, a request at which Smedley doesn’t bat an eye. All morning he agonizes over what to do. By all means he should get the hell out of there, but the screenplay’s almost finished and more importantly, they’re having dinner with a number of Leon’s associates tomorrow night, including Eliza and the Important Client. Is there a way he can back out and preserve his reputation? Try as he might, he can’t think of one. He hasn’t built up enough rapport with Eliza yet, and with the movie still unfinished, Leon could tear him to shreds. Why does it have to be this way? Why are there people like Leon?