The two are hunched over the table, writing on the backs of paper napkins, a Scotch and a martini placed respectively in front of them. They wave us over. Price throws his Tumi leather attache case on an empty chair and heads toward the bar. I call out to him for a J&B on the rocks, then sit down with Van Patten and McDermott.
"Hey Bateman," Craig says in a voice that suggests this is not his first martini. "Is it proper to wear tasseled loafers with a business suit or not? Don't look at me like I'm insane."
"Oh shit, don't ask Bateman," Van Patten moans, waving a gold Cross pen in front of his face, absently sipping from the martini glass.
"Van Patten?" Craig says.
"Yeah?"
McDermott hesitates, then says "Shut up" in a flat voice.
"What are you screwballs up to?" I spot Luis Carruthers standing at the bar next to Price, who ignores him utterly. Carruthers is not dressed well: a four-button double-breasted wool suit, I think by Chaps, a striped cotton shirt and a silk bow tie plus horn-rimmed eyeglasses by Oliver Peoples.
"Bateman: we're sending these questions in to GQ," Van Patten begins.
Luis spots me, smiles weakly, then, if I'm not mistaken, blushes and turns back to the bar. Bartenders always ignore Luis for some reason.
"We have this bet to see which one of us will get in the Question and Answer column first, and so now I expect an answer. What do you think?" McDermott demands.
"About what?" I ask irritably.
"Tasseled loafers, jerk-off," he says.
"Well, guys..." I measure my words carefully. "The tasseled loafer is traditionally a casual shoe..." I glance back at Price, wanting the drink badly. He brushes past Luis, who offers his hand. Price smiles, says something, moves on, strides over to our table. Luis, once more, tries to catch the bartender's attention and once more fails.
"But it's become acceptable just because it's so popular, right?" Craig asks eagerly.
"Yeah." I nod. "As long as it's either black or cordovan it's okay."
"What about brown?" Van Patten asks suspiciously.
I think about this then say, "Too sporty for a business suit."
"What are you fags talking about?" Price asks. He hands me the drink then sits down, crossing his legs.