Quitters, Inc.

Morrison was waiting for someone who was hung up in the air traffic jam over Kennedy International when he saw a familiar face at the end of the bar and walked down.

Morrison was waiting for someone who was hung up in the air traffic jam over Kennedy International when he saw a familiar face at the end of the bar and walked down.

Morrison was waiting for someone who was hung up in the air traffic jam over Kennedy International when he saw a familiar face at the end of the bar and walked down.

A little heavier than when Morrison had seen him at the Atlanta Exhibition the year before, but otherwise he looked awesomely fit.

A little heavier than when Morrison had seen him at the Atlanta Exhibition the year before, but otherwise he looked awesomely fit.

In college he had been a thin, pallid chain smoker buried behind huge horn-rimmed glasses.

In college he had been a thin, pallid chain smoker buried behind huge horn-rimmed glasses.

In college he had been a thin, pallid chain smoker buried behind huge horn-rimmed glasses.

In college he had been a thin, pallid chain smoker buried behind huge horn-rimmed glasses.

He had apparently switched to contact lenses.

He had apparently switched to contact lenses.

He had apparently switched to contact lenses.

He extended his hand and they shook.

'Bourbon and bitters,' Morrison said.

'No. Going to Miami for a conference.

A heavy client.

I'm supposed to hold his hand because we lost out on a big special next spring.'

I'm supposed to hold his hand because we lost out on a big special next spring.'

I'm supposed to hold his hand because we lost out on a big special next spring.'

Congratulations!

He tried to tell himself that the little worm of jealousy in his stomach was just acid indigestion.

He tried to tell himself that the little worm of jealousy in his stomach was just acid indigestion.

He looked speculatively at Morrison and sipped his drink.

'You might be interested.'

'You might be interested.'

My God, Morrison thought with an inner wince.

My God, Morrison thought with an inner wince.

Jimmy McCann's got religion.

'I wasn't in very good shape,' McCann said.

'Personal problems with Sharon, my.dad died - heart attack - and I'd developed this hacking cough.

'Personal problems with Sharon, my.dad died - heart attack - and I'd developed this hacking cough.

'Personal problems with Sharon, my.dad died - heart attack - and I'd developed this hacking cough.

'Personal problems with Sharon, my.dad died - heart attack - and I'd developed this hacking cough.

'Personal problems with Sharon, my.dad died - heart attack - and I'd developed this hacking cough.

Bobby Crager dropped by my office one day and gave me a fatherly little pep talk.

Bobby Crager dropped by my office one day and gave me a fatherly little pep talk.

Do you remember what those are like?'

'Get your butt in gear or get your butt out.'

Well, to put the capper on it, the doc told me I had an incipient ulcer.

Well, to put the capper on it, the doc told me I had an incipient ulcer.

He told me to quit smoking.'

McCann grimaced.

Morrison nodded in perfect understanding.

Morrison nodded in perfect understanding.

Non-smokers could afford to be smug.

Non-smokers could afford to be smug.

He looked at his own cigarette with distaste and stubbed it out, knowing he would be lighting another in five minutes.

He looked at his own cigarette with distaste and stubbed it out, knowing he would be lighting another in five minutes.

He looked at his own cigarette with distaste and stubbed it out, knowing he would be lighting another in five minutes.

At first I didn't think I'd be able to - I was cheating like hell.

At first I didn't think I'd be able to - I was cheating like hell.

Then I met a guy who told me about an outfit over on Forty-sixth Street.

Then I met a guy who told me about an outfit over on Forty-sixth Street.

Specialists.

'No.' He had taken out his wallet and was rummaging through it.

'No.' He had taken out his wallet and was rummaging through it.

He laid a plain white business card on the bar between them.

Guaranteed.'

'It's part of the contract they make you sign.

Anyway, they tell you how it works when they interview you.'

'And on the basis of that -' 'Yep.'

'Why the great secrecy if this outfit is so fantastic?

'Why the great secrecy if this outfit is so fantastic?

How come I've never seen any spots on TV, billboards, magazine ads -' 'They get all the clients they can handle by word of mouth.'

How come I've never seen any spots on TV, billboards, magazine ads -' 'They get all the clients they can handle by word of mouth.'

'You're an advertising man, Jimmy.

He motioned for another drink and lit a cigarette.

'Do these guys strap you down and make you smoke until you throw up?'

He gestured at Morrison's cigarette.

'I don't suppose it's the same for everyone, but with me it was just like dominoes falling over.

I felt better and my relationship with Sharon improved.

I felt better and my relationship with Sharon improved.

I had more energy, and my job performance picked up.'

I had more energy, and my job performance picked up.'

I had more energy, and my job performance picked up.'

'Look, you've got my curiosity aroused.

'Look, you've got my curiosity aroused.

'Did you put on any weight?'

For a moment he thought Jimmy McCann looked almost grim.

For a moment he thought Jimmy McCann looked almost grim.

A little too much, in fact.

I'm about right now.

'Flight 206 now boarding at Gate 9,' the loudspeaker announced.

'Flight 206 now boarding at Gate 9,' the loudspeaker announced.

He tossed a five on the bar.

And then he was gone, making his way through the crowd to the escalators.

Morrison picked up the card, looked at it thoughtfully, then tucked it away in his wallet and forgot it.

Morrison picked up the card, looked at it thoughtfully, then tucked it away in his wallet and forgot it.

In fact, things were bloody horrible.

He gave Henry a ten to pay for his drink, then picked up the small card and reread it - 237 East Fortysixth Street was only two blocks over; it was a cool, sunny October day outside, and maybe, just for chuckles -When Henry brought his change, he finished his drink and then went for a walk.

He gave Henry a ten to pay for his drink, then picked up the small card and reread it - 237 East Fortysixth Street was only two blocks over; it was a cool, sunny October day outside, and maybe, just for chuckles -When Henry brought his change, he finished his drink and then went for a walk.

Quitters, Inc., was in a new building where the monthly rent on office space was probably close to Morrison's yearly salary.

Quitters, Inc., was in a new building where the monthly rent on office space was probably close to Morrison's yearly salary.

Quitters, Inc., was in a new building where the monthly rent on office space was probably close to Morrison's yearly salary.

From the directory in the lobby, it looked to him like their offices took up one whole floor, and that spelled money.

He took the elevator up and stepped off into a lushly carpeted foyer and from there into a gracefully appointed reception room with a wide window that looked out on the scurrying bugs below.

He took the elevator up and stepped off into a lushly carpeted foyer and from there into a gracefully appointed reception room with a wide window that looked out on the scurrying bugs below.

He took the elevator up and stepped off into a lushly carpeted foyer and from there into a gracefully appointed reception room with a wide window that looked out on the scurrying bugs below.

He took the elevator up and stepped off into a lushly carpeted foyer and from there into a gracefully appointed reception room with a wide window that looked out on the scurrying bugs below.

He took the elevator up and stepped off into a lushly carpeted foyer and from there into a gracefully appointed reception room with a wide window that looked out on the scurrying bugs below.

He took the elevator up and stepped off into a lushly carpeted foyer and from there into a gracefully appointed reception room with a wide window that looked out on the scurrying bugs below.

'A friend gave me this,' he said, passing the card to the receptionist.

'I guess you'd say he's an alumnus.'

But very muted clacks; the typewriter was an IBM.

'Your address?'

He thought of Alvin and frowned slightly.

He thought of Alvin and frowned slightly.

His son was mentally retarded and lived at a special school in New Jersey.

His son was mentally retarded and lived at a special school in New Jersey.

'Who recommended us to you, Mr Morrison?'

He sat between the woman, who was wearing a severe blue suit, and a young executive type wearing a herring-bone jacket and modish sideburns.

He sat between the woman, who was wearing a severe blue suit, and a young executive type wearing a herring-bone jacket and modish sideburns.

He sat between the woman, who was wearing a severe blue suit, and a young executive type wearing a herring-bone jacket and modish sideburns.

He sat between the woman, who was wearing a severe blue suit, and a young executive type wearing a herring-bone jacket and modish sideburns.

He might even tap some ashes on their maroon shag rug if they made him wait long enough.

He might even tap some ashes on their maroon shag rug if they made him wait long enough.

He picked up a copy of Time and began to leaf through it.

He was called a quarter of an hour later, after the woman in the blue suit.

His nicotine centre was speaking quite loudly now.

A man who had come in after him took out a cigarette case, snapped it open, saw there were no ashtrays, and put it away looking a little guilty, Morrison thought.

Morrison walked through the door beyond her desk and found himself in an indirectly lit hallway.

A heavy-set man with white hair that looked phoney shook his hand, smiled affably, and said, 'Follow me, Mr Morrison.'

He led Morrison past a number of closed, unmarked doors and then opened one of them about halfway down the hall with a key.

Beyond the door was an austere little room walled with drilled white cork panels.

Beyond the door was an austere little room walled with drilled white cork panels.

Beyond the door was an austere little room walled with drilled white cork panels.

Beyond the door was an austere little room walled with drilled white cork panels.

There was what appeared to be a small oblong window in the wall behind the desk, but it was covered with a short green curtain.

He was holding a sheet of paper in one hand.

He looked vaguely familiar.

'If you decide to go ahead with our programme, I'll be in charge of your case.'

He looked directly into Morrison's eyes.

Morrison cleared his throat, crossed his legs, and tried to think of a way to equivocate.

Morrison cleared his throat, crossed his legs, and tried to think of a way to equivocate.

He scanned it quickly.

The undersigned agrees not to divulge the methods or techniques or et cetera, et cetera.

The undersigned agrees not to divulge the methods or techniques or et cetera, et cetera.

The undersigned agrees not to divulge the methods or techniques or et cetera, et cetera.

The undersigned agrees not to divulge the methods or techniques or et cetera, et cetera.

He scratched his name, and Donatti signed below it.

A moment later the paper disappeared back into the desk drawer.

Well, he thought ironically, I've taken the pledge.

Well, he thought ironically, I've taken the pledge.

'We don't bother with propaganda here, Mr Morrison.

'We don't bother with propaganda here, Mr Morrison.

Questions of health or expense or social grace.

Questions of health or expense or social grace.

Questions of health or expense or social grace.

We have no interest in why you want to stop smoking.

We are pragmatists.'

'Good,' Morrison said blankly.

'We employ no drugs.

We employ no Dale Carnegie people to sermonize you.

And we accept no payment until you have stopped smoking for one year.'

And we accept no payment until you have stopped smoking for one year.'

Excellent.

These are somewhat personal, but I assure you that your answers will be held in strictest confidence.'

These are somewhat personal, but I assure you that your answers will be held in strictest confidence.'

These are somewhat personal, but I assure you that your answers will be held in strictest confidence.'

These are somewhat personal, but I assure you that your answers will be held in strictest confidence.'

Morrison asked noncommittally.

Her maiden name was Ramsey.'

Morrison looked up sharply, but Donatti was looking at him blandly.

Morrison looked up sharply, but Donatti was looking at him blandly.

'Have you ever had marital problems?

'What has that got to do with kicking the habit?'

He sounded a little angrier than he had intended, but he wanted - hell, he needed - a cigarette.

He sounded a little angrier than he had intended, but he wanted - hell, he needed - a cigarette.

He sounded a little angrier than he had intended, but he wanted - hell, he needed - a cigarette.

He sounded a little angrier than he had intended, but he wanted - hell, he needed - a cigarette.

Although things had been a little tense just lately.

He's in a private school.'

'All right,' Donatti said agreeably.

He smiled disarmingly at Morrison.

'All your q~estions will be answered tomorrow at your first treatment.'

'One final question,' Donatti said.

Donatti exclaimed.

'Mr Morrison,' Donatti said solemnly, 'we guarantee it.'

He was sitting in the outer office of Quitters, Inc. ,the next day promptly at three.

He had spent most of the day swinging between skipping the appointment the receptionist had made for him on the way out and going in a spirit of mulish co-operation - Throw your best pitch at me, buster.

He had spent most of the day swinging between skipping the appointment the receptionist had made for him on the way out and going in a spirit of mulish co-operation - Throw your best pitch at me, buster.

He had spent most of the day swinging between skipping the appointment the receptionist had made for him on the way out and going in a spirit of mulish co-operation - Throw your best pitch at me, buster.

He had spent most of the day swinging between skipping the appointment the receptionist had made for him on the way out and going in a spirit of mulish co-operation - Throw your best pitch at me, buster.

He had spent most of the day swinging between skipping the appointment the receptionist had made for him on the way out and going in a spirit of mulish co-operation - Throw your best pitch at me, buster.

In the end, something Jimmy McCann had said convinced him to keep the appointment - It changed my whole fife.

In the end, something Jimmy McCann had said convinced him to keep the appointment - It changed my whole fife.

Before going up in the elevator, he smoked a cigarette down to the filter.

He offered his hand and smiled, and to Morrison the smile looked almost predatory.

'A great many prospective clients never show up again after the initial interview.

'A great many prospective clients never show up again after the initial interview.

They discover they don't want to quit as badly as they thought.

Hypnosis, he was thinking.

Then, smiling into Morrison's eyes, he curled his right hand into a fist and began to hammer it down on the pack of cigarettes, which twisted and flattened.

Tobacco crumbs spilled.

The smile remained on his face in spite of the force of the blows, and Morrison was chilled by it.

The smile remained on his face in spite of the force of the blows, and Morrison was chilled by it.

The smile remained on his face in spite of the force of the blows, and Morrison was chilled by it.

Probably just the effect they want to inspire, he thought.

Probably just the effect they want to inspire, he thought.

At last Donatti ceased pounding.

He picked up the pack, a twisted and battered ruin.

He picked up the pack, a twisted and battered ruin.

'As a treatment, it leaves something to be desired.

And they sell all brands.'

Born with cranial brain damage.

Born with cranial brain damage.

Born with cranial brain damage.

Tested IQ of 46.

Not quite in the educable retarded category.

Morrison barked.

He was startled and angry.

'You've got no goddamn right to go poking around my -' 'We know a lot about you,' Donatti said smoothly.

'You've got no goddamn right to go poking around my -' 'We know a lot about you,' Donatti said smoothly.

Donatti wasn't upset.

In fact, he looked a little amused.

The face of a man who has seen this reaction scores of times - maybe hundreds.

The face of a man who has seen this reaction scores of times - maybe hundreds.

Donatti leaned back.

As pragmatists, we have to start by realizing how difficult it is to cure an addiction to tobacco.

As pragmatists, we have to start by realizing how difficult it is to cure an addiction to tobacco.

As pragmatists, we have to start by realizing how difficult it is to cure an addiction to tobacco.

The relapse rate is almost eight-five per cent.

The relapse rate for heroin addicts is lower than that.

It is an extraordinary problem.

Morrison glanced into the wastebasket.

'State legislatures sometimes hear a request that the prison systems do away with the weekly cigarette ration.

'State legislatures sometimes hear a request that the prison systems do away with the weekly cigarette ration.

'State legislatures sometimes hear a request that the prison systems do away with the weekly cigarette ration.

'State legislatures sometimes hear a request that the prison systems do away with the weekly cigarette ration.

Such proposals are invariably defeated.

Such proposals are invariably defeated.

Such proposals are invariably defeated.

In a few cases where they have passed, there have been fierce prison riots.

In a few cases where they have passed, there have been fierce prison riots.

Imagine it.'

'I,' Morrison said, 'am not surprised.'

'But consider the implications.

'But consider the implications.

When you put a man in prison you take away any normal sex life, you take away his liquor, his politics, his freedom of movement.

When you put a man in prison you take away any normal sex life, you take away his liquor, his politics, his freedom of movement.

When you put a man in prison you take away any normal sex life, you take away his liquor, his politics, his freedom of movement.

When you put a man in prison you take away any normal sex life, you take away his liquor, his politics, his freedom of movement.

No riots - or few in comparison to the number of prisons.

He slammed his fist on the desk for emphasis.

'During World War I, when no one on the German home front could get cigarettes, the sight of German aristocrats picking butts out of the gutter was a common one.

'During World War I, when no one on the German home front could get cigarettes, the sight of German aristocrats picking butts out of the gutter was a common one.

'During World War I, when no one on the German home front could get cigarettes, the sight of German aristocrats picking butts out of the gutter was a common one.

During World War II, many American women turned to pipes when they were unable to obtain cigarettes.

A fascinating problem for the true pragmatist, Mr Morrison.'

A fascinating problem for the true pragmatist, Mr Morrison.'

Donatti had risen and was standing by the green curtains Morrison had noticed yesterday.

'Pretty bunny,' Morrison commented.

Donatti pressed a button by the window-sill.

It seemed to leap higher each time its feet struck the floor.

Its fur stood out spikily in all directions.

Its fur stood out spikily in all directions.

Donatti released the button.

The rabbit was crouched about ten feet away from the dish of pellets.

All at once he hopped away into a corner.

'If the rabbit gets a jolt often enough while he's eating,' Donatti said, 'he makes the association very quickly.

'If the rabbit gets a jolt often enough while he's eating,' Donatti said, 'he makes the association very quickly.

Eating causes pain.

A few more shocks, and the rabbit will starve to death in front of his food.

It's called aversion training.'

It's called aversion training.'

Light dawned in Morrison's head.

Morrison didn't pause.

He grasped the doorknob . and felt it slip solidly through his hand.

He grasped the doorknob . and felt it slip solidly through his hand.

His brown eyes were muddy and frightening.

His brown eyes were muddy and frightening.

'Let me explain the treatment in more detail,' Donatti said.

'You don't understand,' Morrison said with counterfeit patience.

'You don't understand,' Morrison said with counterfeit patience.

'You don't understand,' Morrison said with counterfeit patience.

You don't have any choice.

When I told you the treatment had already begun, I was speaking the literal truth.

I would have thought you'd tipped to that by now.'

'As long as you understand that as soon as I get out of here I'm going to buy five packs of cigarettes and smoke them all on the way to the police station.'

He suddenly realized he was biting his thumb-nail, sucking on it, and made himself stop.

But I think you'll change your mind when you see the whole picture.'

'For the first month of the treatment, our operatives will have you under constant supervision,' Donatti said.

'For the first month of the treatment, our operatives will have you under constant supervision,' Donatti said.

'For the first month of the treatment, our operatives will have you under constant supervision,' Donatti said.

He tried to sound cold and sarcastic, but he suddenly felt horribly frightened.

He tried to sound cold and sarcastic, but he suddenly felt horribly frightened.

After Donatti let him out, Morrison walked for over two hours in a complete daze.

After Donatti let him out, Morrison walked for over two hours in a complete daze.

'You see,' he had said, 'a pragmatic problem demands pragmatic solutions.

'You see,' he had said, 'a pragmatic problem demands pragmatic solutions.

'You see,' he had said, 'a pragmatic problem demands pragmatic solutions.

Quitters, Inc., according to Donatti, was a sort of foundation - a non-profit organization begun by the man in the wall portrait.

Quitters, Inc., according to Donatti, was a sort of foundation - a non-profit organization begun by the man in the wall portrait.

Quitters, Inc., according to Donatti, was a sort of foundation - a non-profit organization begun by the man in the wall portrait.

Quitters, Inc., according to Donatti, was a sort of foundation - a non-profit organization begun by the man in the wall portrait.

The gentleman had been extremely successful in several family businesses - including slot machines, massage parlours, numbers, and a brisk (although clandestine) trade between New York and Turkey.

The gentleman had been extremely successful in several family businesses - including slot machines, massage parlours, numbers, and a brisk (although clandestine) trade between New York and Turkey.

The gentleman had been extremely successful in several family businesses - including slot machines, massage parlours, numbers, and a brisk (although clandestine) trade between New York and Turkey.

The gentleman had been extremely successful in several family businesses - including slot machines, massage parlours, numbers, and a brisk (although clandestine) trade between New York and Turkey.

The gentleman had been extremely successful in several family businesses - including slot machines, massage parlours, numbers, and a brisk (although clandestine) trade between New York and Turkey.

The gentleman had been extremely successful in several family businesses - including slot machines, massage parlours, numbers, and a brisk (although clandestine) trade between New York and Turkey.

The gentleman had been extremely successful in several family businesses - including slot machines, massage parlours, numbers, and a brisk (although clandestine) trade between New York and Turkey.

The gentleman had been extremely successful in several family businesses - including slot machines, massage parlours, numbers, and a brisk (although clandestine) trade between New York and Turkey.

The gentleman had been extremely successful in several family businesses - including slot machines, massage parlours, numbers, and a brisk (although clandestine) trade between New York and Turkey.

Mort 'Three-Fingers' Minelli had been a heavy smoker - up in the three-pack-aday range.

The paper he was holding in the picture was a doctor's diagnosis: lung cancer.

Mort had died in 1970, after endowing Quitters, Inc., with family funds.

Mort had died in 1970, after endowing Quitters, Inc., with family funds.

'We try to keep as close to breaking even as possible,' Donatti had said.

And of course, it's a great tax angle.'

The treatment was chillingly simple.

A fourth offence would show grave co-operation problems and would require sterner measures.

A fourth offence would show grave co-operation problems and would require sterner measures.

A fourth offence would show grave co-operation problems and would require sterner measures.

A fourth offence would show grave co-operation problems and would require sterner measures.

'You dirty, filthy bastard.'

He was smiling sympathetically.

Forty per cent of our clients never have to be disciplined at all - and only ten per cent have more than three falls from grace.

Those are reassuring figures, aren't they?'

Those are reassuring figures, aren't they?'

He found them terrifying.

'Of course, if you transgress a fifth time -' 'What do you mean?'

'Of course, if you transgress a fifth time -' 'What do you mean?'

Morrison, driven beyond the point of rational consideration, lunged over the desk at Donatti.

Morrison, driven beyond the point of rational consideration, lunged over the desk at Donatti.

Morrison, driven beyond the point of rational consideration, lunged over the desk at Donatti.

Morrison, driven beyond the point of rational consideration, lunged over the desk at Donatti.

Donatti moved with amazing speed for a man who had apparently been completely relaxed.

Donatti moved with amazing speed for a man who had apparently been completely relaxed.

Donatti moved with amazing speed for a man who had apparently been completely relaxed.

Donatti moved with amazing speed for a man who had apparently been completely relaxed.

Gagging and coughing, Morrison staggered backward.

Gagging and coughing, Morrison staggered backward.

Gagging and coughing, Morrison staggered backward.

'Sit down, Mr Morrison,' Donatti said benignly.

Quitters, Inc., Donatti had explained further, operated on a ten-step punishment scale.

Quitters, Inc., Donatti had explained further, operated on a ten-step punishment scale.

Quitters, Inc., Donatti had explained further, operated on a ten-step punishment scale.

Steps six, seven, and eight consisted of further trips to the rabbit room (and increased voltage) and more serious beatings.

Steps six, seven, and eight consisted of further trips to the rabbit room (and increased voltage) and more serious beatings.

Steps six, seven, and eight consisted of further trips to the rabbit room (and increased voltage) and more serious beatings.

Steps six, seven, and eight consisted of further trips to the rabbit room (and increased voltage) and more serious beatings.

You become part of the unregenerate two per cent.'

He opened one of the desk drawers and laid a silenced .45 on the desk.

The Friday Night Movie was Bullitt, one of Cindy's favourites, but after an hour of Morrison's mutterings and fidgetings, her concentration was broken.

'What's the matter with you?' she asked during station identification.

'What's the matter with you?' she asked during station identification.

'Nothing . . . everything,' he growled.

'No,' he said, and began to gnaw his thumb-nail.

It was ragged, down to the quick.

'That's wonderful!

Dick rarely mentioned their retarded son.

Dick rarely mentioned their retarded son.

She came over, looked at the empty ashtray by his right hand, and then into his eyes: 'Are you really trying to quit, Dick?'

And if I go to the cops, he added mentally, the local goon squad will be around to rearrange your face, Cindy.

And if I go to the cops, he added mentally, the local goon squad will be around to rearrange your face, Cindy.

Even if you don't make it, we both thank you for the thought, Dick.'

He slept badly that night, dozing in and out of sleep.

Around three o'clock he woke up completely.

His craving for a cigarette was like a low-grade fever.

His craving for a cigarette was like a low-grade fever.

He went downstairs and to his study.

He slid open the top drawer of his desk and looked in, fascinated by the cigarette box.

During the fourth month, the month when most clients backslid, the 'service' would return to twenty-four hours a day.

During the fourth month, the month when most clients backslid, the 'service' would return to twenty-four hours a day.

Then twelve hours of broken surveillance each day for the rest of the year.

Random surveillance for the rest of the client's life.

'We may audit you every other month,' Donatti said.

If you smoke, you'll be gambling with loaded dice.

And if you do sneak a smoke, it'll taste awful.

He looked at the cigarettes in the box for almost two minutes, unable to tear his gaze away.

Then he went to the study door, peered out into the empty hall, and went back to look at the cigarettes some more.

A horrible picture came: his life stretching before him and not a cigarette to be found.

How in the name of God was he ever going to be able to make another tough presentation to a wary client, without that cigarette burning nonchalantly between his fingers as he approached the charts and layouts?

How in the name of God was he ever going to be able to make another tough presentation to a wary client, without that cigarette burning nonchalantly between his fingers as he approached the charts and layouts?

How in the name of God was he ever going to be able to make another tough presentation to a wary client, without that cigarette burning nonchalantly between his fingers as he approached the charts and layouts?

How in the name of God was he ever going to be able to make another tough presentation to a wary client, without that cigarette burning nonchalantly between his fingers as he approached the charts and layouts?

How in the name of God was he ever going to be able to make another tough presentation to a wary client, without that cigarette burning nonchalantly between his fingers as he approached the charts and layouts?

How in the name of God was he ever going to be able to make another tough presentation to a wary client, without that cigarette burning nonchalantly between his fingers as he approached the charts and layouts?

How would he be able to endure Cindy's endless garden shows without a cigarette?

He cursed himself for getting into this.

His hands trembled in their desire to get hold of Jimmy Judas McCann.

Stealthily, he glanced around the study again.

He caressed it, fondled it.

What was that old slogan?

A faint shifting?

A faint shifting?

But -Another mental image - that rabbit hopping crazily in the grip of electricity.

But -Another mental image - that rabbit hopping crazily in the grip of electricity.

But -Another mental image - that rabbit hopping crazily in the grip of electricity.

But -Another mental image - that rabbit hopping crazily in the grip of electricity.

The thought of Cindy in that room -He listened desperately and heard nothing.

He told himself that all he had to do was go to the closet door and yank it open.

In spite of how lousy he felt in the morning, breakfast tasted good.

After a moment's hesitation, he followed his customary bowl of cornflakes with scrambled eggs.

After a moment's hesitation, he followed his customary bowl of cornflakes with scrambled eggs.

After a moment's hesitation, he followed his customary bowl of cornflakes with scrambled eggs.

He was grumpily washing out the pan when Cindy came downstairs in her robe.

He was grumpily washing out the pan when Cindy came downstairs in her robe.

Morrison grunted.

He considered since Hector was a pup to be one of Cindy's stupider sayings, on a par with I should smile and kiss a pig.

He considered since Hector was a pup to be one of Cindy's stupider sayings, on a par with I should smile and kiss a pig.

'No.' 'You'll be back on them by noon,' she proclaimed airily.

'No.' 'You'll be back on them by noon,' she proclaimed airily.

'Lot of goddamn help you are!' he rasped, rounding on her.

He expected her to be angry, but she was looking at him F with something like wonder.

He expected her to be angry, but she was looking at him F with something like wonder.

'You bet I am.'

But I'm very proud.'

Scenes from the life of Richard Morrison, October-November: Morrison and a crony from Larkin Studios at Jack Dempsey's bar.

Scenes from the life of Richard Morrison, October-November: Morrison and a crony from Larkin Studios at Jack Dempsey's bar.

Looking at 45s in Sam Goody's, where Morrison is looking for a Sam Cooke album.

Morrison visiting his son, bringing him a large ball that squeaked when you squeezed it.

Morrison visiting his son, bringing him a large ball that squeaked when you squeezed it.

His son's slobbering, delighted kiss.

His son's slobbering, delighted kiss.

Somehow not as repulsive as before.

Hugging his son tightly, realizing what Donatti and his colleagues had so cynically realized before him: love is the most pernicious drug of all.

Hugging his son tightly, realizing what Donatti and his colleagues had so cynically realized before him: love is the most pernicious drug of all.

Hugging his son tightly, realizing what Donatti and his colleagues had so cynically realized before him: love is the most pernicious drug of all.

Let the romantics debate its existence.

Let the romantics debate its existence.

Let the romantics debate its existence.

Morrison losing the physical compulsion to smoke little by little, but never quite losing the psychological craving, or the need to have something in his mouth - cough drops, Life Savers, a toothpick.

Morrison losing the physical compulsion to smoke little by little, but never quite losing the psychological craving, or the need to have something in his mouth - cough drops, Life Savers, a toothpick.

Morrison losing the physical compulsion to smoke little by little, but never quite losing the psychological craving, or the need to have something in his mouth - cough drops, Life Savers, a toothpick.

Poor substitutes, all of them.

And finally, Morrison hung up in a colossal traffic jam in the Midtown Tunnel.

Horns blaring.

Air stinking.

Traffic hopelessly snarled.

And suddenly, thumbing open the glove compartment and seeing the half-open pack of cigarettes in there.

He looked at them for a moment, then snatched one and lit it with the dashboard lighter.

If anything happens, it's Cindy's fault, he told himself defiantly.

If anything happens, it's Cindy's fault, he told himself defiantly.

The first drag made him cough smoke out furiously.

Horns blatted impatiently behind him.

He stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray, opened both front windows, opened the vents, and then fanned the air helplessly like a kid who has just flushed his first butt down the john.

He stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray, opened both front windows, opened the vents, and then fanned the air helplessly like a kid who has just flushed his first butt down the john.

He stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray, opened both front windows, opened the vents, and then fanned the air helplessly like a kid who has just flushed his first butt down the john.

He joined the traffic flow jerkily and. drove home.

He joined the traffic flow jerkily and. drove home.

The phone rang, and he pounced on it.

He sounded pleasantly brisk and businesslike.

'It seems we have a small business matter to attend to.

Would five o'clock be convenient?'

Donatti chuckled indulgently.

'Look, let her go,' Morrison babbled.

'That's a shame.

At 5p.m. the reception room was empty except for the secretary, who gave him a twinkly smile that ignored Morrison's pallor and dishevelled appearance.

At 5p.m. the reception room was empty except for the secretary, who gave him a twinkly smile that ignored Morrison's pallor and dishevelled appearance.

At 5p.m. the reception room was empty except for the secretary, who gave him a twinkly smile that ignored Morrison's pallor and dishevelled appearance.

At 5p.m. the reception room was empty except for the secretary, who gave him a twinkly smile that ignored Morrison's pallor and dishevelled appearance.

'Mr Donatti?' she said into the intercom.

Donatti was waiting outside the unmarked room with a man who was wearing a SMILE sweatshirt and carrying a .38.

He was built like an ape.

'Sorry it has to be under such adverse circumstances.

'Sorry it has to be under such adverse circumstances.

We'll make this as brief as possible.

'Come, come,' Donatti said, looking annoyed.

Now where's the percentage in that?'

'I hope you rot in hell,' he told Donatti.

Donatti sighed.

'If I had a nickel for every time someone expressed a similar sentiment, I could retire.

'If I had a nickel for every time someone expressed a similar sentiment, I could retire.

'If I had a nickel for every time someone expressed a similar sentiment, I could retire.

'If I had a nickel for every time someone expressed a similar sentiment, I could retire.

Let it be a lesson to you, Mr Morrison.

When a romantic tries to do a good thing and fails, they give him a medal.

When a pragmatist succeeds, they wish him in hell.

Junk motioned with the pistol.

Morrison preceded them into the room.

He felt numb.

Junk prodded him with the gun.

This is what being a witness at the gas chamber must have been like, he thought.

This is what being a witness at the gas chamber must have been like, he thought.

Cindy was there, looking around bewilderedly.

Morrison called miserably.

Morrison asked apathetically.

Cindy was on it, sobbing helplessly.

'Cindy?' he said gently.

She looked up, her eyes magnified by tears.

'Dick?' she whispered.

'In the house and at first I thought they were burglars and then I thought they were going to rape me and then they took me someplace with a blindfold over my eyes and. . . and. . . oh it was h-horrible -' 'Shhh,' he said.

'In the house and at first I thought they were burglars and then I thought they were going to rape me and then they took me someplace with a blindfold over my eyes and. . . and. . . oh it was h-horrible -' 'Shhh,' he said.

I wouldn't blame you.'

He looked at her in mute surprise.

The phone rang one evening a week later, and when Morrison recognized Donatti's voice, he said, 'Your boys have got it wrong.

By the way, congratulations on your promotion.'

When they entered the small room, Donatti said, 'Don't look so nervous.

Morrison saw an ordinary bathroom scale.

'Listen, I've gained a little weight, but -' 'Yes, seventy-three per cent of our clients do.

He pulled a small card laminated in plastic from his breast pocket.

He pulled a small card laminated in plastic from his breast pocket.

I'm going to write you a prescrip for some highly illegal diet pills.

And I'm going to set your maximum weight at. . . let's see .

He consulted the card again.

No problem if you can't make it, as long as you call in advance.'

The crony stubs his cigarette out with real revulsion and drains his scotch.

The crony stubs his cigarette out with real revulsion and drains his scotch.