Page 126 - Just Deserts

Chameleon Dress Tips

high-impact resin that responds to changes in ambient temperature,
pressure and humidity by shifting the spectrum of reflected light
from its surface. Very easy to injection-mold, according to the article.
No doubt the industrial uses of meliorite are being explored in some
tedious laboratory in upstate New York, but I’m sure we can get as
much of the stuff as we need to produce fifty chameleons. All you
have to do is make a model—use this illustration, it’s just right for
what we want.”
Frisko grabbed the book. “Chameleon. The artist as a protean
primitive beast. Chop off his tail and he grows a new one. I can dig
that. Beek, you’re a genius, too, in your own way; I must admit it! I
can probably knock out a clay model of this thing in a couple of days.
How big should I make it?”
The other man considered. “Not too large. If we keep it small, say
about eight inches in length, the clients will think the materials are
precious—and I wouldn’t disabuse them of the notion. Just drop the
model by my gallery when you’re ready. We can sign the necessary
papers and I will take care of getting the ‘casting’ done. All you’ll
have to do is come by and scratch your logo and the copy number on
the bottom of the pieces just before the opening. How does that
sound?”
Frisko grinned. “Like a million bucks.”

* * * * *

“Doesn’t look like any kind of problem to me, Jack. How many
units do they want?”
Jack McCracken, president of Modern Novelties, squinted at the
object nearly hidden from view in the large calloused hands of his
production manager, Angelo Calderon. “Fifty thousand, all going to
Toys U Bet. Never heard of the licensee before—have you?”
“Frisko Kid? No, but these outfits spring up and die like weeds. A
guy gets one good idea, sells it cheap it to a big distributor, then he
can’t follow up on it. Doesn’t matter to us, of course.”
Calderon grunted. “No. What is this thing, a gila monster?”
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