Strong Medicine by Arthur Hailey Read Free Book Online Page A

to the top?" Andrew was startled. "You mean head up a big drug
    company?"
    "If I can. And even if I don't get all the way to the top, I intend to be
    close enough to have real influence and power."
    He said doubtfully, "And that's what you want? Power?"
    "I know what you're thinking, Andrew-that power can be obsessive and
    corrupting. I don't intend to let it be either. I simply want a full life,
    with marriage and children, but also something more, some solid
    achievement."
    "That day in the cafeteria . . ." Andrew stopped, correcting himself. "That
    memorable day. You said it was time for women to do things they haven't
    done before. Well, I believe that too; it's already happening in a lot of
    places, including medicine. But I wonder about your
    industry-pharmaceuticals. That whole business is conservative and
    male-oriented-you've said so yourself."
    Celia smiled. "Horribly so."
    "Then is it ready yet-for someone like you? The reason I'm asking, Celia,
    is that I don't want to watch, and see you hurt or
    43
     

unhappy, while you throw everything into the effort and then maybe it
    doesn't work out."
    "I won't be unhappy. I'll promise you that." She squeezed Andrew's arm.
    "It's new for me to have someone care as much as you do, darling, and I
    like it. And as for your question-no, the industry isn't ready yet, for me
    or any other women with strong ambition. But I have a plan."
    "I should have known you'd have it all figured out."
    "First," Celia told him, "I intend to make myself so good at my job that
    Felding-Roth will discover they can't afford not to promote me.,,
    "I'd bet on that. But you said 'first.' Isn't that enough?"
    Celia shook her head. "I've studied other companies, their histories, the
    people who run them, and discovered one thing. Most of those who make it to
    the top get there on someone else's coattails. Oh, don't misunderstand
    me-they have to work hard, and be excellent. But early on they select some
    individual-a little higher up, usually a bit older-who they believe is en
    route to the top ahead of them. Then they make themselves useful to that
    person, give him their loyalty, and follow along behind. The point is: when
    a senior executive gets promoted, he likes someone he's used to, who is
    capable and whom he can trust, coming up behind."
    "At this point," Andrew asked, "have you picked someone to follow?"
    "I decided some time ago," Celia said. "It's Sam Hawthorne."
    "Well, well!" Her husband raised his eyebrows. "One way or another, Sam
    seems to loom large in our lives."
    "In business matters only. So you've no need to be jealous."
    "All right. But does Sam know about this decision-that you're hitching to
    his star?"
    "Of course not. Lilian Hawthorne does, though. We've discussed it
    confidentially and Lilian approves."
    "It seems to me," Andrew said, "there's been some womanly plotting going
    on."
    "And why not?" For a moment the inner steel 'of Celia flashed. "Someday all
    that may not be needed. But right now the corporate business world is like
    a private men's club. So a woman must use whatever means she can to become
    a member and get ahead."
    Andrew was silent, considering, then he said, "Until now I hadn't thought
    about it a lot; I guess most men don't. But what you say makes sense. So
    okay, Celia, while you're making your way to
    44
     

the top-and I truly believe you just might-I'll be behind you, all the
    way."
    His wife leaned over in her seat and kissed him. "I knew that all along.
    It's one of the reasons I married you."
    They felt the airplane's engines moderate in tempo and the "Fasten Seat
    Belts" sign came on. Through windows on the port side the lights
    ofManhattan shimmered in early evening darkness. "In a few minutes," a
    stewardess announced, "we will be landing at Idlewild International
    Airport."
    Again Celia reached for Andrew's hand.
    "And we'll be starting our life together," she said. "How can we miss?"
    5
    On returning to their separate jobs, Andrew and Celia