Thursday October 27th 1932

Scene - the Exchange door. At 9 am it opens and a small knot of men rush in. I am second in the queue. I am given a card for the Gem Company, Silver Arcade. By sprinting, I get there at the same time as my rival, the first man in the queue. We mount the stairs side by side. A dirty looking office on the second floor. We wait and two more men arrive. We toss coins for the chance and I am fourth. The other three enter and leave, unsuccessful. My turn. Shorthand and typing are necessary. I try to bluff. Am shaken when I watch the sleazy boss dictating to his present (girl) secretary.

I called again and had a pleasant talk with the girl, but the vacancy had been filled.