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with Green was a lot less than loving. But it seemed she had decided to stay with the money.
    Dinner conversation had been, for the most part, awkward. The only common denominator for this group was the loan, which would not be an issue for another two years.
    Coffee and sherbet were served.
    When the servers left, Cameron rose as if to give a speech, which, considering there was an audience of three, would have been somewhat absurd.
    But there was no speech. He simply handed Green a cashier’s check for the balance of the loan, including interest.
    Green was unable to mask his surprise. Wordlessly, he handed the check to Margie. For the first time this evening she gave Cameron her full attention. Her smile bespoke congratulations and a shared pride.
    “So,” Green said, “you did it. You paid off a five-year loan in three. I must admit, when we first negotiated this deal, I didn’t think you’d make it. I figured in a few years I’d be the owner of a topless bar and I’d really make it move. And here you are, you son-of-a-bitch: You did it in three.”
    “Yup, this wraps it up.”
    Green worked his unlit cigar from one side of his mouth to the other. “Makes me think,” he said, “I didn’t play this as smart as I thought. I shoulda got to know you better … much better. I shoulda become your partner.”
    Cameron snorted as he sat down.
    “Never too late, though,” Green said. “How about it, Jake? We could be partners.”
    Cameron thought for several moments. “Across the board, Moe? Partners in the ghetto housing, the real estate, the car dealerships, the works?”
    “Very funny, Jake,” Green said. “This place. Virago. With my money, you could expand. With my influence with our state lawmakers, we could be the very first to get a permit for legalized gambling. I don’t know, you’re probably into hookers and drugs. Here, again, I could open some doors, shut some eyes. You could make it really big, Jake.”
    “Turn it around, Moe. My success with Virago could spread into your businesses. You aren’t getting anywhere near what you could realize with my hands-on managing. And as far as the Congress and the cops, I may not have as many as you’ve got in your pocket, but I’m not doing so bad. And the hookers and the dope … well, it’s here. But well under the surface.”
    He looked at Moe with total self-confidence. “This is a serious offer, Moe. Partnership across the board.”
    Green hesitated. But not because he was giving any serious thought to Cameron’s proposition. Finally, he spoke. “It’ll never happen, Jake. I’m traveling a faster track than you’re ever going to run on. You’re not in my league. But, no hard feelings. And I haven’t changed my mind. I never change my mind. I want a partnership in this place. Don’t ever forget: Without me this place would be just your dream. It would exist only in your mind.”
    “And that’s a partnership that’ll never be, Moe. This here is my dream house. You’re never gonna get in here.”
    “If I had a last buck, I’d cover that bet.”
    “You’d lose.”
    “You should know me better. Then, again, you never had a chance to. And you never will. But I promise: I’ll be back.”
    “Come as often as you want, Moe. During business hours, of course. We always welcome a big spender like you.
    “Oh, and Moe …” It was said as if in afterthought. “In a little while you’ll be able to have a choice. Next month we’re starting construction on Virago II.”
    “Come on, Margie. Thanks for an interesting evening, Jake. We must do this—and more—sometime.”
    Dr. and Mrs. Green made their exit, leaving Cameron with a sense of accomplishment. Green was out of his life. Not that the doctor had been an intrusive presence since the loan. But the indebtedness had gnawed at Cameron. In the intervening years, he had learned more about Green’s m.o. from a series of disgruntled and hapless victims. Green wheeled and dealed and