Diary of a Yuppie by Louis Auchincloss Read Free Book Online Page A

necessary financing, before the firm began to fight back.
    It has gone so far with astonishing speed and luck. Atlantic Rylands has privately promised me a large retainer, and Glenn has received commitments from two important corporations. Three of our four key associates have responded with enthusiasm, and the fourth, Peter Stubbs, has agreed to give it serious thought. Stubbs, of course, is actually a cornerstone of my plan. He has recently inherited four million dollars from a toy manufacturing father, and Glenn and I have elected him to be our banker.
    What about the morality of our lining up clients while still acting as supposedly loyal clerks of our old firm? Without question it is improper, but this gives me no trouble at all. It is universally done, and no one who knows the practice of law in America today carps at it. It is considered bad for a partner to do it—though this rule, too, is widely breached—but we are not partners. I have been virtually promised a partnership, it is true, but that is not the same thing. Any more than an engagement is a marriage.

    Since entering the above I have had my crucial lunch with Peter Stubbs. It also went well. Peter is a dark, moody, rather handsome man who regards the world with an apprehensive eye that seems to be always questioning its motives. Were people after his money? Did they really respect him for himself? Would he not have to be tougher than the next guy to keep the next guy from finding him too soft? I suggested that he needed a cocktail, knowing that he would not take one. Then I ordered one for myself, so that I would be on a lower level. I wanted him to feel superior.
    "If you made partner at Hoyt Welles, Pete—and you would, I'm sure—aren't people going to say you made it because of your old man's estate? But if you come with us, they'll know you're on your own."
    "How is that true if I take Dad's estate with me? Be frank, Bob, isn't that the real reason you want me?"
    "No! Leave the estate with Hoyt Welles. Everyone knows Al Hoyt was your dad's oldest friend as well as his lawyer. It would create a smell to take it away from him."
    Peter now allowed a frank surprise to permeate his almost sullen expression of habitual reserve. "You mean you'd give up that fee?"
    "We're planning a brand-new firm with brand-new business. We don't need a bunch of moldy old estates and trusts!"
    "And you want me for ... for...?"
    "For yourself, old boy!" I finished for him exultantly. "For the smart, hard-hitting shyster that you are." I reached over now to strike him smartly on the shoulder.
    It was really too easy. Peter's gratitude was almost pathetic. I shall not even have to ask him to buy the library now, or pay the first year's rent. When I tell him to sign, along with the other new partners, our loan application to Citibank, he will at once see the advantage of becoming his own creditor on easier terms.
    "Bob, I believe we're going to be everything you say!" he exclaimed. "I think I will have that drink, after all."
    We now have six Hoyt Welles associates, including Glenn and myself, "pledged" and our first year's expenses assured. When will the thing begin to leak? For when it does, it will rapidly become a flood that may sweep us all away before we've signed up the other eight. But it won't,
Deo volente.
That is, assuming there's a God and he wills it.

    Well, it is out now. And it has gone well enough, in one respect, if horribly in another. Horribly for me, anyway.
    I learned of the discovery of our "plot" from Blakelock himself. I still don't know how he discovered it but I suspect Glenn Deane's loud mouth.
    I heard the unusual click of my door being closed and looked up to see my boss standing before me. His face was drawn, but there was an odd twinkle in the eyes that he fixed on me. I had to infer that it was a sinister twinkle.
    "May I sit down, Robert?" He did so without waiting for my answer. "I have come to congratulate you on the formation of