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Elaine’s, late

Stone Barrington sat at his usual table with Dino Bacchetti and Bill Eggers Dino was his old partner fro partner of Woodman and Weld, the law firm for which Stone was of counsel, which is to say, he did the work that the firm did not wish to be seen to do, sometimes for clients the firm did not wish to be seen to represent He did this work from a distance, at his home office in Turtle Bay

Stone took his first sip of his second bourbon, while Dino and Eggers did likewise for their second Scotch

“I’ since we ordered dinner?”

Eggers glanced at his watch “Twenty minutes”

“I should have reen bean salad, hold the peppers, by now,” Stone said

“Look around,” Dino said “It’s a busy night”

It was a busy night, Stone reflected, and then it got even busier The front door opened, and in walked Herbert Q Fisher with two hookers Stone knew they were hookers, because renting was the only means by which Herbie Fisher could acquire company so attractive, not that they were all that attractive

“Oh, shit,” Stone said

“Shit what?” Dino asked

“It’s Herbie Fisher” Stone looked away from the door, so as not to catch Herbie’s eye It didn’t work

Herbie stopped at Stone’s table, picked up his hand and pu his words carefully enough that he appeared drunk “How’s it hanging?”

“Hello, Herbie,” Stone said “How are you?” He iretted the question

“Well, I’m a lot better than okay,” Herbie said “I passed the bar today”

Stone squinted at hi to be a bartender?” Visions ca

“No, no-the bar You and I are now brothers in the law”

“You’re drunk, Herbie Go away”

Herbie began searching for so I’ve got it right here” He cae from a newspaper and unfolded it to reveal a list of many names in sht here!” Herbie pointed helpfully

Stone looked at the naht?”

“No! Look up at the top of the page”

Stone followed Herbie’s finger “Candidates Successfully Co the Bar Examination of the State of New York,” read the title

“It’s a joke newspaper,” Stone said

“No, it’s not!” Herbie said indignantly

“You’ve never been to law school,” Stone pointed out

“I most certainly have,” Herbie said, “for the past nineteen e of Law I graduated summa cum laude”