The Applicant Transcription
Here is my attempt to transcribe The Ithell Colquhoun Short Story ‘The Applicant’ previously called The Model from the Tate e-Archive collection from the following link: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/archive/items/tga-929-2-1-2-1/colquhoun-short-story-titled-the-applicant
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THE MODELAPPLICANT
      Mr Rosenbloom lifted his receiver once more.
      ‘Not a promising lot this time,’ he grunted into it. ‘How many more, Mavis?’
      ‘Only one, and I don’t think it’s any use your seeing her.’
      It was coming up to five-thirty and Mavis wanted to get away; she forgot that advice always ruled her employer.
      ‘Why not?’ he snapped.
      ‘She doesn’t have the right look.’
      ‘Why? What’s she like?’
      ‘Her height’s O.K, but that’s about all.’
      ‘The rest can be managed, as you well know. Send her in.’
      Mr Rosenbloom contemplated his advertisement for models in the ads(?) of the evening paper which lay on his desk. He chose to seem pre-occupied when applicants presented themselves for interview, so he did not at once raise his eyes when the office-door was opened. What he saw when at last he glanced up entaine(?) did not have the right look in woman wearing glasses, with abundant hair unmodistly [sic] arranged, a sinewy neck and bosom and an
      (55)(79)
intense manner stood before him. He appraised her swiftly: a foundation including falsies, make-up and a new hair-style would improve matters; she could be taught to move. Her clothes were disastrous, of course he (?) Â shuddered at the no finishness of the lace-knit jumper but then she would not be wearing those.
      ‘Good evening’ she returned with an attempt at poise.
      ‘Can’t you manage without glasses?’
      ‘Oh yes, I take them off for modelling work.’
      ‘Experience?’
      ‘Plenty; I was three years at Pinkey’s.’ She produced a packet of letters from a work brief-case. ‘Here’s a testimonial from Mr Pinkey himself.’
      He marked(?) the paper aside, unexamined.
      ‘What were you doing with him?’
      Surprised at her connection with his rival in the manufacture … he put the question involuntarily. What could he see in her? She’d had pull(?) of some sort or she’d never have made it. But she was answering him.
      (56)(80)
‘Well almost everything is in that line; imitations(?) too (?) I don’t mind.’
      Does she think we’re the Ministry of Agriculture, he speculated. Dotty as well as dowdy: What was Pinkey up to?
      ‘He used to say my back(?) was very good. The vertebrae are so dear; it’s easy for demonstrating to the students.’
      ‘He takes students?’
      ‘Yes, he has quite a training-school now; didn’t you know?’ Beside massage and osteopathy, I’ve modelled for enemas and colonics and I can take the large speculation(?) without any difficulty.’
      Whether(?) to meet her gaze, Mr Rosenbloom allowed his eyes to slither down to the unopened(?) testimonial. As he now saw it was headed ‘Pinkey’s Nature-Cure Clinic, Bonne(?) End Books’. He pressed the desk bell.
      ‘Leave your address with my secretary,’ he fubbled(?), ‘You must excuse me now for(?) an (?)nt appointment.’
      As he fled the open door of the office. Mavis was also
      (57)(81)
looming(?). The gypsy warned me. She wouldn’t miss her evening date after all.