panelist

After a chocolate chip cookie on the train, Karen and I emerged on Wall Street to attend an event at Deutsche Bank. "Investing in Hollywood." My former boss spoke on a panel of executives involved in the film business and its investment opportunities. We entered the auditorium in our jeans and casual clothing and tromped between rows to two empty seats in the center section which afforded the clearest view of heads of studios and film finance gurus. I surprised myself with how much information I had accumulated through office osmosis. When terms were dropped and trends were discussed, I understood. Who knew I could feel so smart.

Karen and I left the suits to their cocktails and chatter for a bit of shopping at Century 21. So many pretty things. So little necessity. As we grew hungry, I emailed my Jedi council of former New York foodies to ask for a recommendation in the Tribeca neighborhood. Bubby's was the winner where Karen and I sat down around 8pm and ravenously tore at jalapeno cornbread. She ordered chicken pot pie with coleslaw and hush puppies. For me, three meat meatloaf with mac and cheese and sauteed spinach. The chicken pot pie was a bit dry and the hush puppies unremarkable. My meatloaf had personality and bacon. The sides were lovely, mac and cheese creamy and hot with little bit of gruyere, the spinach lush and green. I tried fresh cranberry juice for the first time and loved it. It was crisp yet a strong red. For dessert I ordered Callebaut hot chocolate which was a bit too sweet but fantastic nonetheless. They went low fat on me with the use of whole milk instead of cream but I always must remind myself that we're in New York and not Paris. Tant pis.

From Bubby's Karen and I took the train to the Mandarin Oriental hotel located at the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. We met my former boss in the Lobby Lounge on the 24th floor with a view of 59th Street and a corner of the park. The walls were black marble and the appointments were all very Asian. We sat in soft chairs next to a high window and sipped MacCallan 12 year scotch on the rocks. When I say we I mean the former boss and me. He finished my scotch for me as I am but a child when it comes to hard liquor. I admit that the scotch was incredibly smooth though. A manly drink for manly people who want to sleep like babies.

We chatted about what I'd learned recently about the finance industry. We talked of things that adults speak of when they sip expensive drinks in dim rooms...Nebraska, cooking, life. It was the first time I knew this man as not my boss but as my friend in a way. As a man over whom I could lord my superior sense of humor and inappropriate behavior. I stole a green apple from a bowl in the hallway on the floor of his hotel room. I stole his Times Dining section. I tried to steal his complimentary hotel slippers but he was wearing them. I suppose he misses my presence at the office. More than he'd miss a set of shampoos and conditioners anyway.