I had barely settled in when they started.

"Mr. Guinness, can you help us out? Put in a good word for us with Mr. Monroe?"

"That's right! We have been long-time collaborators. Please, we're desperate-our businesses can't take much more of this."

"Man, we know we were wrong, but doesn't this seem a little overkill? Mr. Monroe's blocking all of our ways!

Percy sighed. "It's not that I don't want to help you, but I can't. I've barely managed to resolve my own issues. You'll have to fend for yourselves."

Percy ignored the pleadings, got in his car, and drove away. Through the rearview mirror, he saw the formerly proud...