title: Concrete Comedy: An Alternative History of Twentieth-Century Comedy
author: David Robbins
description: The author's unassuming, slightly crackpottish voice and enthusiasm for his subjectand it does seem to be his subject, with little other literature around-makes for an engrossing read. (Stephen Maine <i>Art in America</i>)
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  A Comedy on the Gold Coast  
    
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com
  
  
  # A Comedy on the Gold Coast
  
  
  ### ARNOLD BENNETT
  
  
  
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  IT was five o'clock on an afternoon in mid-September, and a couple of American
  millionaires (they abounded that year, did millionaires) sat chatting together
  on the wide terrace which separates the entrance to the Kursaal from the
  promenade. Some yards away, against the balustrade of the terrace, in the
  natural, unconsidered attitude of one to whom short frocks are a matter of
  history, certainly, but very recent history, stood a charming and imperious
  girl; you could see that she was eating chocolate while meditating upon the
  riddle of life. The elder millionaire glanced at every pretty woman within
  view, excepting only the girl; but his companion seemed to be intent on
  counting the chocolates.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  