"I've been keeping my eye on you," Mr. Perkins said. "I'll see what I can do."
George thanked him profusely.
"Not at all, not at all," Mr. Perkins boomed. "That's what old dad Perkins is here for."
George got his coffee and joined Charlie at their corner table.
"Getting chummy with old dad Perkins?" Charlie asked.
"I just got told," George said, leaning forward, "I could increase my insurance."
"No!"
"Said it was time I moved up a notch."
Charlie clenched his fist. "We can make the Country Club, I tell you. I'm almost twelve thousand in the red, not counting the house and the boat. Let's celebrate, Georgie. All four of us. We can go to the Emperor Room for sixty bucks. That is, if you're still talking to your humble friends."
"Come off it."