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(Testimony of Icarus M. Pappas)
Mr. Pappas.
In other words, the thing that marked off the room, or the beginning of the room, apparently, was the counter. And on the counter were the telephones.
Mr. Griffin.
All right. Tell us what you did then, at that point. You picked up a telephone, or what happened?
Mr. Pappas.
Henry Wade was on the phone to other radio stations, I imagine, or to other newsrooms, because he was being asked a question, and he was answering into a telephone. This is a technique that we use. I felt that it would be more expeditious for me to do it that way. And I picked up a phone, after Henry Wade had gotten toward the end of his interview--I picked up a phone and dialed New York, and I asked him, "Could you do this interview with me?" and he said. "Yes, but I have another phone call over there." And he pointed across the room. Somebody had said, "Come over here." I don't know whether he recognized him or what. But he left my telephone, and I don't know whether I hung up, or whether I had them wait in New York for me to get him back. But at any rate, this disturbed me, because it was long distance, and I had promised them this interview, and I wasn't coming through with it immediately, and this is always frustrating.
It was at this point that I ran into Ruby--the first time that I recall. He came up to me as I was waiting for Wade and he said, "Where are you from?" I said, "New York." He said, "Are you a reporter?" I said, "Yes." He said, "How long are you going to be in town?" And I said, "I win be here as long as It takes to do this story." And he reached into his pocket, and he pulled out a card. It said the Carousel Club on it. And I was amazed. I didn't know who he was or what he was. My immediate impression of him was that he was a detective. He was well dressed, nattily dressed, I imagine.
Mr. Griffin.
Do you recall his clothing?
Mr. Pappas.
It was a dark suit. Whether it was gray or not, I don't know. But he had on a gray hat, fedora. And I looked at the card. I couldn't imagine what was happening.
It said, "Jack Ruby, your host," on it. I said, "Are you Jack Ruby?" He said, "Yes; come on over to the club if you get a chance you can have some drinks"--or something like that--"there are girls there." And then ,he disappeared. Naturally I had other things on my mind at the time. I must have put the card in my pocket. And-
Mr. Griffin.
Let me interrupt you. Can you describe his mood? Was it straightforward, was it somber, businesslike, was it exhilarated?
Mr. Pappas.
Well, I would not call it exhilarated. I would say that he was in a very animated mood. He moved quickly, and he spoke quickly. Of course, I cannot tell you what his mood is, because I don't know the man. Maybe this is the way he is naturally. Maybe when he is in a mood he is somber. I don't know. But to me he appeared very worked up by the happenings, by the activity, by the people, by the reporters, by the cameras, by the flashguns, and everything else. He seemed, as I said before, very animated.
Mr. Griffin.
Do you still have the card that he gave you?
Mr. Pappas.
Yes; I don't have it personally. I have it--someone has it. It is a magazine editor who is keeping it. He wanted to see it.
Mr. Griffin.
What happened after Jack left you?
Mr. Pappas.
Well, I still had to get Henry Wade. He was on the telephone, on this long interview. I was trying to get him over.
Mr. Griffin.
Were you calling to Wade, or making any indication?
Mr. Pappas.
He knew I wanted him on the phone.
Then it was awhile, and he had some other people to talk to. Then I think he had another phone call. Anyway, he was occupied, and Ruby came back. He darted past me again. I was still in this frustrated--this look on my face. He said, "What's the matter?" I said, "I am trying to get Henry Wade over to the telephone." He said, "Do you want me to get him?" I said, "Well, if you can, certainly, I can use any help I can get. I don't know the area." At least these are the thoughts going through my mind. I don't know whether said that to him or not. But I said, "Yes, I would like to have him over here." And he went around the desk, over to Henry Wade on the telephone. I don't know what they said to each other, but Ruby pointed over to me, and Henry looked up, and then Ruby came back and he just left. I don't know whether
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