“‘What’s that, a gram?’ Price says, not apathetically.
‘New card.’ I try to act casual about it but I’m smiling proudly. ‘What do you think?’
‘Whoa,’ McDermott says, lifting it up, fingering the card, genuinely impressed. ‘Very
nice. Take a look.’ He hands it to Van Patten.
‘Picked them up from the printer’s yesterday,’ I mention.
‘Cool coloring,’ Van Patten says, studying the card closely.
‘That’s bone,’ I point out. ‘And the lettering is something called Silian Rail.’
‘Silian Rail?’ McDermott asks.
‘Yeah. Not bad, huh?’
‘It is very cool, Bateman,’ Van Patten says guardedly, the jealous bastard, ‘but that’s
nothing….’ He pulls out his wallet and slaps a card next to an ashtray. ‘Look at this.’
We all lean over and inspect David’s card and Price quietly says, ‘That’s really nice.’
A brief spasm of jealousy courses through me when I notice the elegance of the color
and the classy type. I clench my fist as Van Patten says, smugly, ‘Eggshell with
Romalian type…’ He turns to me. ‘What do you think?’
‘Nice,’ I croak, but manage to nod, as the busboy brings four fresh Bellinis.
‘Jesus,’ Price says, holding the card up to the light, ignoring the new drinks. ‘This is
really super. How’d a nitwit like you get so tasteful?’
I’m looking at Van Patten’s card and then at mine and cannot believe that Price
actually likes Van Patten’s better.
Dizzy, I sip my drink then take a deep breath.
‘But wait,’ Price says. ‘You ain’t seen nothin’ yet…’ He pulls his out of an inside coat
pocket and slowly, dramatically turns it over for our inspection and says, ‘Mine.’
Even I have to admit it’s magnificent.
Suddenly the restaurant seems far away, hushed, the noise distant, a meaningless
hum, compared to this card, and we all hear Price’s words: ‘Raised lettering, pale
nimbus white…’
‘Holy shit,’ Van Patten exclaims. ‘I’ve never seen…’
‘Nice, very nice,’ I have to admit. ‘But wait. Let’s see Montgomery’s.’
Price pulls it out and though he’s acting nonchalant, I don’t see how he can ignore its
subtle off-white coloring, its tasteful thickness. I am unexpectedly depressed that I
started this.
...
I pick up Montgomery’s card and actually finger it, for the sensation the card gives off
to the pads of my fingers.
‘Nice, huh?’ Price’s tone suggests he realizes I’m jealous.
‘Yeah,’ I say offhandedly, giving Price the card like I don’t give a shit, but I’m finding it
hard to swallow. ”
