Ray Cummings

Name: The Big Idea — III. The Interview
Author: Ray Cummings

The Big Idea — III. The Interview (1920)

Summary

“The Big Idea — III. The Interview”, published in 1920, is a work by Ray Cummings. It explores elements such as Jimmy, Leffingwell Hope and coal.

Quotes from The Big Idea — III. The Interview (Ray Cummings)

Ray Cummings, The Big Idea — III. The Interview (1920)

“ With his hat clutched tightly in his hand and his heart beating so it seemed about to smother him, Jimmy suddenly found himself facing a large, flat-topped mahogany desk that stood in the center of the huge office into which Mr. Hope had ushered him.
At the desk sat a gray-haired, slightly stout gentleman of about sixty. His mustache was very long and almost snow-white. His skin was clear and ruddy, and his eyes that smiled at Jimmy as he entered were very kindly. Jimmy liked him at once, but he was afraid of him just the same.
“This is the young man who wants to see you. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ray Cummings, The Big Idea — III. The Interview (1920)

“ Jimmy noticed that there was nothing on Mr. Wentworth’s desk except ink-well, pens, and blotter; not the slightest sign of any big business to be attended to—and yet he knew Mr. Wentworth was the biggest, most important man in the business world he had ever seen in his life. He could not understand this fact; later he found out that the higher up an executive is, the less he allows to accumulate on his desk and the more leisure time he seems to have.
“What is your business, Mr. Rand?” The president seemed slightly surprised at his visitor’s continued silence. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ray Cummings, The Big Idea — III. The Interview (1920)

“ Mr. Leffingwell Hope raised his eyebrows. “Perhaps you’d better say it over again,” he suggested. “I’m afraid I don’t understand you.”
“Why, I—you see, Mr. Hope, my idea is to build a factory over some coal deposit, and then, instead of mining the coal, just burn it in the ground, and pipe the heat up to the factory boilers.”
Once Jimmy got started he found it easier. Mr. Hope listened casually—impatiently, Jimmy thought. But he did not notice the gleam of interest in the secretary’s eyes so at variance with his disinterested, almost sarcastic manner. Finally Mr. Hope interrupted him. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ray Cummings, The Big Idea — III. The Interview (1920)

“ Jimmy nodded confusedly. Mr. Wentworth inclined his head also, and then turned aside to speak to his daughter. And Jimmy, not having spoken a word since he entered the president’s office, turned and followed Mr. Leffingwell Hope through the opened door.
The private office of Mr. Wentworth’s secretary, into which Jimmy was now ushered, was a smaller and only slightly less magnificent replica of that of the president himself.
Mr. Leffingwell Hope took a seat at his desk, and motioned Jimmy to sit down also.
“Mr. Wentworth is always very busy,” he began, in his soft, unpleasant tones. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ray Cummings, The Big Idea — III. The Interview (1920)

“ The president sighed hopelessly. For one brief instant he seemed undecided. Then he frowned.
“I— Tell your business to my secretary,” he said abruptly to Jimmy, waving his hand in dismissal. “He’ll take care of it for you. Oh, Mr. Hope—if you please. Will you see this young man in your office? Thank you. Good day, Mr. Rand.”
Jimmy stood stock-still. He could feel himself flushing. A sudden hot resentment toward this girl—this intruder—possessed him—that she should have come into the room, at this of all times, just when he had been given his big chance. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ray Cummings, The Big Idea — III. The Interview (1920)

“ Jimmy hesitated. “That’s what I’m going to tell him when I see him,” he said finally.
“Mr. Wentworth never sees anybody except by appointment.”
“I’m in no hurry,” Jimmy grinned cheerfully; his courage began coming back. This Mr. Leffingwell Hope, after all, didn’t seem so very formidable. “I’ll make an appointment, then.”
“If your business is important. I’ll hear it now.” The secretary turned slightly away, as though he were being unnecessarily detained from important work inside. “Tell it quick,” he added. “The young lady says you don’t represent any one. What is it?” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ray Cummings, The Big Idea — III. The Interview (1920)

“ The coal you use in your glass factories has to be mined and hauled from the mine to you. That’s what makes it cost you so much. I—I know you burn a lot of it, and this year especially, with all the labor trouble and the shortage, it is getting to be awful expensive. And—and I’ve been thinking—why couldn’t the coal be burned in the ground right where it is, and put the factory there—instead of mining it? The heat would come up from below, you know.”
Jimmy paused, a little out of breath. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ray Cummings, The Big Idea — III. The Interview (1920)

“ But he knew he must speak—must say something. This was his big chance. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak the words that trembled on his lips the door of the office opened unceremoniously and a young lady swept into the room. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ray Cummings, The Big Idea — III. The Interview (1920)

“ There was no use going to any other company—the Wentworth was as good as he could find. And all this time, while he was learning all these things, he would have to live.
The idea occurred to him then that perhaps he could get a job right here in this very organization. Then he could learn the glass business, and work out his idea at night. And when he was all ready and had all his facts down pat he could tackle Mr. Hope and Mr. Wentworth again. He could never find anybody better than Mr. Wentworth, he was sure of that.
All this flashed through Jimmy’s mind in an instant. Mr. ”

Ray Cummings

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Quotes from The Big Idea — III. The Interview (Ray Cummings)

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