Johnny Dollar.

Happy New Year, Johnny, and many of them,

and may your shadow never grow less, and all that sort of stuff.

And the same to you, cheerful Charlie.

Now, only it's Hal.

What?

Hal Kemper.

You know, Eastern Liability and Trust.

Hal, how are you?

What's a good word?

You made any plans for dragging in the new year in the usual fashion?

Oh, in my usual fashion, yes.

Well, what's that supposed to mean?

Well, it means that instead of getting myself hooked into some big, noisy, drunken party,

and then risking my one and only life among all the crazy drivers will be seeing double because of the parties they've attended.

Here, here. Instead of greeting 1962 hangover headache, I have other plans.

Oh, yes, I forgot. That luscious little damsel you've been according all these years, Betty Lewis.

Well, that's just the trouble, Hal.

Well, what's the deal, Johnny? Quiet little supper, just the two of you over at her place with a log crackling on the hearth and candles on the table, all that sort of stuff.

Oh, I'm sorry, Hal.

And at the stroke of midnight, a glass of sparkling champagne to match the sparkle of a lovely eyes.

How am I doing? I guess right?

...