“Unfortunately,” Jack said. His tone was flat.
“You have a problem with our working with them?” Terese asked.
“Probably,” Jack said.
“Can I ask why?”
“I’m against advertising in medicine,” Jack said. “Especially the kind of advertising these new health-care conglomerates are engaged in.”
“Why?” Terese asked.
“First of all, the ads have no legitimate function except to increase profits by expanding enrollment. They’re nothing but exaggerations, half-truths, or the hyping of superficial amenities. They have nothing to do with the quality of health care. Secondly, the advertising costs a ton of money, and it’s being lumped into administrative costs. That’s the real crime: It’s taking money away from patient care.”
“Are you finished?” Terese asked.
“I could probably think up some more reasons if I gave it some thought,” Jack said.
“I happen to disagree with you,” Terese said with a fervor that matched Jack’s. “I think all advertising draws distinctions and fosters a competitive environment which ultimately benefits the consumer.”
“That’s pure rationalization,” Jack said.
“Time out, you guys,” Chet said, stepping between Jack and Terese for the second time. “You two are getting out of control again. Let’s switch the topic of conversation. Why don’t we talk about something neutral, like sex or religion.”
Colleen laughed and gave Chet a playful swat on the shoulder.
“I’m serious,” Chet said while laughing with Colleen. “Let’s discuss religion. It’s been getting short shrift lately in bars. Let’s have everybody tell what they grew up as. I’ll be first…”
For the next half hour they indeed did discuss religion, and Jack and Terese forgot their emotional outburst. They even found themselves laughing since Chet was a raconteur of some wit.
At eleven-fifteen Jack happened to glance at his watch and did a double take. He couldn’t believe it was so late.
“I’m sorry,” he said, interrupting the conversation. “I’ve got to go. I’ve got a bicycle ride ahead of me.”
“A bike?” Terese questioned. “You ride a bike around this city?”
“He’s got a death wish,” Chet said.
“Where do you live?” Terese asked.
“Upper West Side,” Jack said.
“Ask him how ‘upper,’ “Chet dared.
“Exactly where?” Terese asked.
“One-oh-six a Hundred and Sixth Street,” Jack said. “To be precise.”
“But that’s in Harlem,” Colleen said.
“I told you he has a death wish,” Chet said.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to ride across the park at this hour,” Terese said.
“I move pretty quickly,” Jack said.
“Well, I think it’s asking for trouble,” Terese said. She bent down and picked up her briefcase that she’d set on the floor by her feet. “I don’t have a bike, but I do have a date with my bed.”
“Wait a second, you guys,” Chet said. “Colleen and I are in charge.
Right, Colleen?” He put his arm loosely around Colleen’s shoulder.
“Right!” Colleen said to be agreeable.
“We’ve decided,” Chet said with feigned authority, “that you two can’t go home unless you agree to have dinner tomorrow night.”
Colleen shook her head as she ducked away from Chet’s arm. “I’m afraid we’re not available,” she said. “We’ve got an impossible deadline, so we’ll be putting in some serious overtime.”
“Where were you thinking of having dinner?” Terese asked.
Colleen looked at her friend with surprise.
“How about right around the corner at Elaine’s,” Chet said. “About eight o’clock. We might even see a couple of celebrities.”
“I don’t think I can…” Jack began.
“I’m not listening to any excuses from you,” Chet said, interrupting. “You can bowl with that group of nuns another night. Tomorrow you’re having dinner with us.”
Jack was too tired to think. He shrugged.
“It’s decided, then?” Chet said.
Everyone nodded.
Outside of the bar the women climbed into a cab. They offered Chet a ride home, but he said he lived in the neighborhood.
“Are you sure you don’t want to leave that bike here for the night?” Terese asked Jack, who’d finished removing his panoply of locks.
“Not a chance,” Jack said. He threw a leg over his bike and powered out across Second Avenue, waving over his head.
Terese gave the cabdriver the address of the first stop, and the taxi made a left onto Second Avenue and accelerated southward. Colleen, who’d kept her eye on Chet out the back window, turned to face her boss.