Page 333 of Edge of Eternity (The Century 3)

"Then all the networks should do the same, and portray America as a place where all men are equal."

"It won't work," said Charlie.

"Perhaps it won't," said Evie. "But we have to try, don't we? We have a responsibility." She looked around the group: Charlie, Tony, Dave, Percy, and Wharton. Dave felt guilty when he met her eye, for he knew she was right. "All of us," she went on. "We make television programs, which influence how people think."

Charlie said: "Not necessarily--"

Dave interrupted him. "Knock it off, Charlie. We influence people. If we didn't, Mr. Wharton would be wasting his money."

Charlie looked angry, but he had no answer.

"Now we have a chance, today, to make the world a better place," Evie went on. "Nobody would mind if I kissed Bing Crosby on prime-time television. Let's help people to see that it's no different if the cheek I kiss is a little darker in color."

They all looked at Mr. Wharton.

Dave felt perspiration break out under his skintight frilled shirt. He did not want Wharton to be offended.

"You argue well, young lady," said Wharton. "But my duty is to my shareholders and my employees. I'm not here to make the world a better place, I'm here to sell Foam to housewives. And I won't achieve that if I associate my product with interracial sex, with all due respect to Mr. Marquand. I'm a big fan, by the way, Percy--I have all your records."

Dave found himself thinking of Mandy Love. He had been crazy about her. She was black--not golden tan like Percy, but a beautiful deep coaly-brown. Dave had kissed her skin until his lips were sore. He might have proposed to her, if she had not gone back to her old boyfriend. And Dave would now be in Percy's position, straining to tolerate a conversation that insulted his marriage.

Charlie said: "I think the duet works as a beautiful symbol of interracial harmony without hinting at the prickly topic of sex between the races. I believe we've done a wonderful job here--provided we leave out the kiss."

Evie said: "Nice try, Charlie, but that's bullshit, and you know it."

"It's the reality."

Trying to lighten the mood, Dave said: "Did you call sex a 'prickly topic,' Charlie? That's funny."

No one laughed.

Evie looked at Dave. "Aside from making jokes, what are you going to do, Dave?" she said, almost taunting him. "You and I were raised to stand up for what's right. Our father fought in the Spanish Civil War. Our grandmother won women the right to vote. Are you going to give in?"

Percy Marquand said: "You're the talent, Dave. They need you. Without you they don't have a show. You have power. Use it to do good."

Charlie said: "Get real. There's no show without National Soap. We'll have trouble finding a new sponsor--especially after people find out why Mr. Wharton pulled out."

Wharton had not actually said he would withdraw his sponsorship over the kiss, Dave noted. Nor had Charlie said that finding a new sponsor would be impossible--just difficult. If Dave insisted on keeping the kiss, the show might go on, and Dave's television career might survive.

Perhaps.

"Is this really my decision?" he said.

Evie said: "Looks like it."

Was he prepared to take the risk?

No, he was not.

"The kiss comes out," he said.

*

Jasper Murray flew to Memphis in April to check out a strike by sanitation workers that was becoming violent.

Jasper knew about violence. All men, including himself, had it in them to be either peaceable or vicious, according to circumstances, he believed. Their natural inclination was to lead a quiet, law-abiding life; but given the right sort of encouragement most of them were capable of committing torture, rape, and murder. He knew.

So when he came to Memphis he listened to both sides. The city hall spokesman said that outside agitators were inciting the strikers to violent behavior. The campaigners blamed police brutality.

---