15 December

“What do you mean precisely, that he’s out of control?”

“Call it what you want, I can’t string him out any longer.”

“Don’t say can’t. I think you’ve handled him magnificently so far, and you’re almost there, aren’t you?”

“Almost there? We’d be done if it weren’t for them! Now they’re taking off for the holidays. The bombs could be falling, and they’ve still got to have their fucking hols.”

“Well, that’s how they do things in the more civilized countries. Why can’t you go on vacation too?”

“I’ve already been on vacation as far as he’s concerned. I’ve been in Europe, Japan, you name it. I’ve been to the fucking moon. I’ve ducked, I’ve been out sick, I’ve practically gotten under my desk. Don’t forget, he still comes in almost every day.”

“So what are you telling me? That you’re the problem?”

“Come on. He’s been talking to the wrong people, for one thing.”

“What people?”

“You know who I’m talking about. Some of my oldest friends, yours too, originally. He’s been telling them that from now on they’ll be doing business with him and him alone. He’s even tried to get some of them to sign a piece of paper. No way I can let that go on.”

“Why not? Aren’t you planning on deep-sixing some of them?”

“Not all of them, for Christ’s sake. Do you want me to put us out of business? How would that look? And how would it look if the guy I’ve told them they don’t have to bother about because he’s out of the fucking business ends up with a hundred percent of our customers?”

“A slight exaggeration.”

“Even so. I’ve had to ask people to stop talking to him. It’s fucking awkward. By now he’s gotten that message, and I understand he’s more than irate … well, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Hell, he’s not that dumb. Plus his wife’s about to have a baby.”

“What on earth does that have to do with it?”

“It makes him jumpy, volatile. I hear it’s been a difficult pregnancy. Jesus Christ, I wish to hell I’d pulled the plug a couple of months ago.”

“But you didn’t.”

“Yeah. Well, it’s easy for you to say, you’re not in the fucking trenches. I tell you, I’ve had it. I’m not kidding. Finished. I can’t do it anymore. I say it’s time to bite the bullet.”

“With everything that’s at stake?”

“With everything that’s at stake.”

“All right, let’s look at that a minute. Assuming you do it, when would that be?”

“I don’t know. I thought I’d let him pick up the final paperwork tomorrow. Maybe he won’t read it right away if his wife drops her baby. The minute he does though, it’s going to get ugly.”

“What do you think he’ll do?”

“I think he’ll start screaming his head off in every direction. Unless we stop him.”

“Do you think he’ll find anyone to listen, the week before Christmas?”

“I don’t know. He might.”

“So you’re agreed there’s a risk, but you’re ready to run it?”

“What about you, partner?”

“What do you mean?”

“What about the insurance?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Come on. I understand there’s some kind of insurance policy. Maybe the time’s come to cash it in, whatever it is.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Never mind. I—”

“I repeat: Where did you hear that? I want to know, and I want to know now.”

“Hell, don’t get your balls in an uproar. A little birdie told me.”

“Who?”

“Okay, okay. Our friendly neighborhood counselor.”

“You mean their attorney?”

“None other.”

“Have you told him I’m involved?”

“Of course not!”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure, what do you—?”

“And what precisely did he say?”

“Nothing. He just said that, if push came to shove, there was insurance. He said it showed admirable foresight on all our parts. I didn’t know what the fuck he was talking about.”

“Is that all he said?”

“That’s all he said.”

“I see.”

“Well?… Is that all you’re going to say? I see? What’s the insurance?”

“It’s nothing. You don’t know anything about it.”

“Oh, no? Hey, that’s great! I love being left in the dark! What the—”

“You listen to me now. Listen carefully. I’m going to take care of it. Unless you hear otherwise from me, you go ahead and do whatever you have to do.”

“But—”

“I said: I’ll take care of it.”

“Wait a minute, if you think … Hello? Hello?… Goddamn son of a bitch!”