Last Year's Model

Prologue

PrologueThe older man swiveled and looked out the window, drumming the fingers of his right hand on the desk.

“You’re out of your f*****g mind, Jesse.”

The younger man sighed. They’d had this discussion before.

“I’ve explained why I want out.” He paused, waiting for the other to look at him. When Sid turned his chair back toward the desk, he continued. “You know I’m grateful for what you’ve done for me.”

“I f*****g made you!”

“Yeah, well, to a point. But right now I can’t help thinking your objections are mostly due to the loss of your commission.”

“You’re not my only client, kid. I’ll do just fine.”

“Good. And so will I.”

“But where’ll you go?”

It was Jesse’s turn to look out the window. A faint smile on his face, he said, “There are universities everywhere. Maybe it’ll be somewhere in the boonies.”

Sid’s shoulders drooped. “I think you really mean it this time.”

“I’ve meant it every time. I’ve just let you talk me out of it before.”

“You have bookings, commitments, you know.”

“Yeah. For about six months. I’ll honor them. Just don’t sign me up for anything new. I’ll be finished in the Spring. And that’ll give me time to decide where I’m going, apply, and all that shit.”

“You know, if you leave the business, there’s no way you can come back. People have short memories.”

“Believe me, I won’t want to,” Jesse said.

“Your sainted mother will be turning in her grave.”

“What do you mean, sainted? I’m not Catholic and you’re Jewish!” And, Jesse thought, more b***h than saint.

Sid c****d his head to one side and raised his eyebrows. “Well, it was worth a try.”