Here is an excerpt from the book:
Archie DuPage opened the door, but a blast of trumpets rang down the corridor and drove back inside the hotel room.
California, here we come!
Around the comer and down the hall trooped one of the amateur bands already plaguing the convention like trilling locusts. First came an enormous poppy, state flower of California, held high by a youth in gilt pants and jacket. Next pranced a drum majorette, attired in a strapless golden costume that began at mid-breast and ended at mid-thigh. Behind her, in single file, marched a dozen young musicians of both sexes, all shimmering in golden garments, all playing instruments of high decibel potential. The racket caromed off the walls and burst through the open doorway of suite 2306. Archie winced and closed the door, but the noise pursued through the cracks and over the transom.
California, here we come! Bryan Roberts, he's the one!
Six female voices set the tempo, then the trumpets and trombones joined in, and by the time the marchers reached the Royal Skyway suite, the sound was deafening. Most of the group passed the door without recognition, but the last noisemaker, a lad belaboring a bass drum, paused long enough to shout:
"Don't worry in there. Roberts will take you for vicepresident!"
The clamor dwindled gradually as the band turned the next comer, but it left some casualties. As Archie peered out again, a door down the hall was jerked open and a man wearing only pajama pants shuffled sleepily into the corridor. He rubbed a patch of graying hair on his chest and looked at his wrist watch. The man, who was a or functionary in the headquarters, saw Archie's protruding head, then shook his own.
"Not even ten o'clock yet, for Chrissake," he grumbled in Archie's direction, "and already the nuts are at it. Thank God for our side. At least Charlie Manchester don't have so many lunatic bands."
The complainant retreated into his sanctuary and Archie went back to the sitting room of suite 2306 to see what was detaining the others. As usual, it was the telephone.
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