“Ledbetter.”
“Costello.”
“Well? I’m a busy man, Ledbetter—“
“So they told me on reception. Not avoiding me, are you Hank?”
“Some of us still have a job to do, Spencer.”
“Ouch. The famed Costello rapier. I suppose this is where I should point out that I’d still have a job too, if it wasn’t for—“
“Old ground. We move on, that’s business. You carry a grudge around the rest of your life, nobody’s gonna give you anything else to bear.”
“Hmm. Nice view you’ve got in here.”
“I’d prefer to be round the other side. Where you can see the park.”
“What, like my old office? I bet you were pissed they gave that to Aaronson.”
“Aaronson’s not long for this world, Spencer. Not that it matters. By then, I’ll be up a floor anyway. What can I do for you – I’ve got Pan Am at three.”
“Pan Am, eh? So they gave you that account too, huh?”
“What? Can I do? For you? Spencer?”
“You know perfectly well—“
“I’m sorry – you seem to have me at a disadvantage.”
“My commission! Six months, twenty per cent – I’ve been waiting seven weeks now. I’ve got bills due, I’ve got— Linda’s pregnant, for god’s sake!“
“Oh. Yes. The small matter of money owed. You know, Franklin & White were going to pay you, they were going to pay you the full amount, almost a month ago now. I managed to persuade them it was an unnecessary expenditure.”
“Unnecessary–!?”
“Please, Spencer, don’t raise your voice so. I’ll have to call security and have you escorted off the premises.”
“Yeah? Well, how about I call my lawyer, Hank? How about I call Buddy Biddulph from Silverman & Woch – how about I have him meet us down in the lobby. I’m sure he’d be interested how you’re out-and-out refusing to pay me money I’m rightfully owed. I’m sure he’d be very interested in that.”
“Buddy Biddulph, you say? Wow. Spencer, I’m impressed. He’s quite the litigator. I certainly wouldn’t want to face him in open court. Incidentally – does he handle divorce cases also?”
“Does he–? What’s that got to do with–? Listen Hank, Buddy thinks I’ve got a pretty strong case for unfair dismissal. The only reason I haven’t pursued that avenue, the only reason – I’ve still got respect for old man Franklin. He’s been good to me over the years, he’s treated me square. I don’t want to make this any messier than it needs to be. But I will. If I don’t get what I’m owed, I’ll—“
“I’m sure you would. I’m sure you wouldn’t give it a second thought, misguided respect for our former CEO not withstanding. But hear me out here, Spencer. Not for nothing did I ask the question. Let’s see… how best to…? Well, yes, we’re admen – let’s take it as a brief, shall we? Your basic ‘Who-What-Why’? Like we did in the old days… Who am I talking you? That would be you, Spencer – and you better listen, and listen good now. What do I want you to do? I want you to get the fuck out of my office and never set your imitation Gucci loafers in this building again. Why should you do that? Because I’m telling you, and I’m the better man – as indicated by my position behind this desk and my charge of all your old accounts (apart from the ones I’ve handed down to the juniors), but most of all—“
“If you really think I came here to listen to your bullshit—“
“But most of all, Spencer, because of the contents of this video security tape.”
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