"They're better off for what you did."
"I hope so. I guess so." He held up his glass. "Another?"
"Let's get something to eat," Arthur said. Penn pulled out his wallet.
"On me," Arthur said.
"Good man. You got something to write on?" He took a worn business card from his wallet and copied into Arthur's notebook an address written on the back of the card. And the names: Constanza, Sergio, Consuela, and Esperanza. "It's a hell of a favor to ask," he said, but could you check up on them sometime, for me." His voice dropped. "See if they need anything?" He looked up helplessly.
"I will."
It was as close as they had come to acknowledging the bond between them. Arthur took a deep breath. "How will I reach you?"
"I'll look you up at the university—you'll be there, adding to the body of scientific knowledge."
"I suppose so," Arthur said. "Trying anyway."
"Good old Art, slow and steady wins the race."
They had a couple of steaks, split a Caesar salad, and drank wine while they talked about old times and the state of the world. Penn explained craps and convinced Arthur to try his luck. People who play with me get the rolls, he told Arthur. They bought two hundred dollars worth of chips. Penn insisted that Arthur place the bet, but they waited until the dice were passed to a middle-aged blonde. "She's lucky," Penn said.