He didn’t regret taking Samantha on the trip. And he wasn’t going to worry about a woman who was born on Fifth Avenue and was probably worth two hundred million dollars. Maybe more. You never knew with old money; they belonged to secret clubs with secret bank accounts. He didn’t regret breaking up his marriage—it was the right thing to do at the time. But with distance he realized that he and Clarice were still fundamentally a shoemaker’s son and a vegetable peddler’s daughter from South Philadelphia. They were real people and they knew that, bottom line, family really mattered. This other woman was from Planet Privilege.

“Listen, I think you should know I’m going back to Clarice permanently,” he said as soon as the waiter took the drinks order.

“Excuse me?” She looked at him as if she hadn’t heard him.

That’s exactly the fuckin’ problem with her, Barry thought to himself. Goddamn limousine liberal. She should have spat in my face and instead she is giving me that condescending elitist crap. It’s the way Ivy League liberals speak to their hired help.

“I changed my mind about this. It’s just not working for me. You can stay or go. I’ll tell the housekeeper to send your bag over to the Little Nell. Don’t worry, I’ll have Yvonne call the hotel with my credit card.” He was speaking as if he were firming up a deal with a talent agent. “Feel free to stay as long as you like and call for the plane to take you home. It’s the least I can do to repay you for your time.”

“Fuck you.” She startled him by swearing and almost breaking her glass on the table. Barry prided himself on being strong on dialogue, but this truly took him by surprise.

“I’ve ruined my life for you,” Samantha blurted.

Barry knew from years of negotiations that the best way to walk away from a deal is to remain devoid of emotion. “I can’t really analyze other people’s lives. Only movies. I’m sorry you feel that way.”

“You bastard!” She dug her fingers into his arm.

Barry got up from the table. “I don’t like women who use foul language.”

He walked to the door of the restaurant and got into the waiting car.