"We'll do it again some time," Futterman hears himself saying before closing the door of the cab, though of course he doesn't mean a word of it. 

Roughly three months later, at the law firm's Christmas party, Ms Shanahan approaches Futterman. Holding a bottle of champagne, he has been walking around the large office conference room, a kind of peripatetic bartender, pouring champagne for anyone he notices with an empty glass.  

"Hi Mr Futterman," Ms Shanahan says. "How go things?"

"Things go well, Stacy," Futterman says. "The firm had a pretty good year. Hope you aren't disappointed with your bonus . . ."

"Not in the least," she says. She has a good smile, he notes.

Futterman senses that she is slightly tipsy, but fails to realise that so is he, having already drunk four glasses of champagne. 

"I've got some news," Ms Shanahan says.

"What is it?" he asks.

"These are going to be my last two weeks at Stone, Viner, Futterman and Waller. I have a new job as an assistant office manager at Sidley Austin."