“You cannot replace Dr. Mendavey,” said Sigmond Levy.

“Why not?” asked the producer, shocked at being countermanded by anyone, including his lawyer. “Why can’t I replace whomever I want to replace, Sig?” he whined.

“Replacing the doctor has become a problem.”

“A problem? What kind of problem?”

“A big problem,” said Levy.

“What kind of big problem, Sig?” said the obviously nervous producer.

“Clear the room,” ordered Sigmond Levy.

“Everybody out!” shouted the producer. “That means everybody. Now!”

Kligman and Siegel, the executives from the network’s Standards and Practices Department, looked at each other. The expressions on their faces showed confusion and worry. They would be declared wimps and (more important) derelict in their duties if they allowed themselves to be ordered out of a production meeting. The alternative would be butting heads with not only the producer but his lawyer too. Both men were known to become violent if challenged. The two network executives stood up and walked out of the room.

Sigmond Levy, still on the couch, crossed one leg over the other. Pale white skin showed above the black sock of the top leg. Levy lifted his thick, froglike eyelids a bit and focused on the producer. He said, “Mendavey’s already informed us she must be a contestant. She’s figured out that you might consider replacing her because, as you just said, she’ll win. Rather astute of her, I must say.”

“I’m not the least bit interested in how astute the bitch is,” said the producer, working himself into a snit. “I’m only interes—”

“As I was saying,” continued Levy, annoyed by the producer’s interruption, “Mendavey has figured out that a cash winner is not what you want. She is quite certain she will answer any question regarding the brain the show has to offer, any question that has a legitimate answer. And, I might add, she will challenge the show on any answer she gives that the show says is incorrect. She is quite certain she will answer anything you toss at her and she is aware she’s running at cross-purposes with you. You want an execution. Dr. Mendavey is smart. She’s put two and two together. Mendavey knows that an execution will mean huge ratings and a surefire hit for you, whereas a big money payoff won’t mean shit. In other words, she knows everything you know. You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to figure out what’s going on around here, and Dr. Mendavey is a brain surgeon.”

The producer remained silent while Sigmond Levy paused to relight his cigar with his gold Dunhill cigar lighter. When the cigar’s end was in flames and a halo of thick gray smoke circled the lawyer’s head, he continued.