Disclosure_ A Novel - Michael Crichton [81]
“What does that—”
“And instead of dealing with your trouble, you waste your time with these . . . trivialities.” He handed back the pictures. “These are not important, Thomas.”
“Max, will you—”
“You were never a good corporate player, Thomas. It was not your strength. Your strength was that you could take a technical problem and grind it down, push the technicians, encourage them and bully them, and finally get it solved. You could make it work. Is that not so?”
Sanders nodded.
“But now you abandon your strengths for a game that does not suit you.”
“Meaning what?”
“You think that by threatening a lawsuit, you put pressure on her and on the company. In fact, you played into her hands. You have let her define the game, Thomas.”
“I had to do something. She broke the law.”
“She broke the law,” Dorfman mimicked him, with a sarcastic whine. “Oh me, oh my. And you are so defenseless. I am filled with sorrow for your plight.”
“It’s not easy. She’s well connected. She has strong supporters.”
“Is that so? Every executive with strong supporters has also strong detractors. And Meredith has her share of detractors.”
“I tell you, Max,” Sanders said, “she’s dangerous. She’s one of those MBA image people, focused on image, everything image, never substance.”
“Yes,” Dorfman said, nodding approvingly. “Like so many young executives today. Very skilled with images. Very interested in manipulating that reality. A fascinating trend.”
“I don’t think she’s competent to run this division.”
“And what if she is not?” Dorfman snapped. “What difference does it make to you? If she’s incompetent, Garvin will eventually acknowledge it and replace her. But by then, you will be long gone. Because you will lose this game with her, Thomas. She is better at politics than you. She always was.”
Sanders nodded. “She’s ruthless.”
“Ruthless, schmoothless. She is skilled. She has an instinct. You lack it. You will lose everything if you persist this way. And you will deserve the fate that befalls you because you have behaved like a fool.”
Sanders was silent. “What do you recommend I do?”
“Ah. So now you want advice?”
“Yes.”
“Really?” He smiled. “I doubt it.”
“Yes, Max. I do.”
“All right. Here is my advice. Go back, apologize to Meredith, apologize to Garvin, and resume your job.”
“I can’t.”
“Then you don’t want advice.”
“I can’t do that, Max.”
“Too much pride?”
“No, but—”
“You are infatuated with the anger. How dare this woman act this way? She has broken the law, she must be brought to justice. She is dangerous, she must be stopped. You are filled with delicious, righteous indignation. True?”
“Oh, hell, Max. I just can’t do it, that’s all.”
“Of course you can do it. You mean you won’t.”
“All right. I won’t.”
Dorfman shrugged. “Then what do you want from me? You come to ask my advice in order not to take it? This is nothing special.” He grinned. “I have a lot of other advice you won’t take, either.”
“Like what?”
“What do you care, since you won’t take it?”
“Come on, Max.”
“I’m serious. You won’t take it. We are wasting our time here. Go away.”
“Just tell me, will you?”
Dorfman sighed. “Only because I remember you from the days when you had sense. First point. Are you listening?”
“Yes, Max. I am.”
“First point: you know everything you need to know about Meredith Johnson. So forget her now. She is not your concern.”
“What does that mean?”
“Don’t interrupt. Second point. Play your own game, not hers.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning, solve the problem.”
“Solve what problem? The lawsuit?”
Dorfman snorted and threw up his hands. “You are impossible. I am wasting my time.”
“You mean drop the lawsuit?”
“Can you understand English? Solve the problem. Do what you do well. Do your job. Now go away.”
“But Max—”
“Oh, I can’t do anything for you,” Dorfman said. “It’s your