So you want in? - he asked.
Stylish, but not overdressed; plain but not unnoticeable, he smiled at me.
He did not, however, wait for my assent.
You need to read this, he said.
It's a test, he said.
We give it to everyone, he said.
The books deliberately boring, he said.
He laughed and looked at me.
It's 500 pages long, he said.
I looked at him blankly.
It's like Jazz, he said, you either get it or you don't.
He handed me the book.
I took it and walked out, placing the book in the nearest available bin.
I had no idea whether I passed the test or not and, frankly, I'm not sure I cared.
