Mr. Levy came into Kumar’s office. “Good morning,” he said jovially as he put a folded newspaper on his desk. Kumar was surprised to see Mr Levy. He didn’t usually come into his office.

“Good morning, sir,” he replied standing up. Mr Levy smiled and indicated to him to sit down. Kumar looked at the folded newspaper.

“I thought you would be interested in this article,” he pointed to the page and then carefully sat down himself on the other side of the desk. Kumar turned the paper around and what he read immediately floored him. It was a photograph with a caption under it. He didn’t need to read the article. It was a photograph of Marjorie in a long flowing white wedding dress with a glorious smile on her face. She looked beautiful. The headline under the black and white photo read, ‘Marjorie Rosenbaum weds Stanley R Kramer in a lavish ceremony.’

He leaned back in his chair. He wasn’t sure whether to smile or cry. He was not sure what his reaction should be. Mr Levy watched him closely. “I hope I haven’t upset you?” seemingly concerned he may have. He didn’t think Kumar had any feelings remaining for Marjorie because as far as he knew, the two of them had stopped being friends about 4 years ago. Kumar never went back to the country club again on purpose since he had been invited there to meet Mr Sherman. He didn’t want to chance seeing Marjorie again and have to make eye contact with her.

Mr Levy’s words and more his genuine concern snapped Kumar back to reality. “Oh no, sir!” he replied rather loudly giving Mr Levy the feeling he had stirred some repressed emotion in him. He immediately began regretting having shown him the article. “I knew this day would come,” continued Kumar, “I think that Marjorie’s parents must be very pleased, as I’m sure Marjorie is as well.”

Mr Levy forced a slight smile. “You know what I find so fascinating is that Marjorie’s parents didn’t care for Stanley Kramer or his family.”

“They are members of the club aren’t they?”

“Yes, they certainly are. But Stanley was well known as a drug addict and actually had dropped out of college, or should I say he was booted out, for dealing drugs.”

“Just the sort of man Marjorie would be comfortable with!” replied Kumar who couldn’t pass an opportunity to make that observation, based on a slight pang of envy which monetarily consumed his heart. “I could never have lived up to her standards or in fact those of her parents.”

Mr Levy wisely did not reply to either comment and instead picked up his paper and left the room. Just before he closed the door though, he turned and said, “there’s a fund raising dinner at the club on Sunday for the United Jewish Appeal. Please think about attending as my guest.” With that, Mr Levy saluted him with the newspaper and closed the door leaving Kumar in a quandary.

“I’m not Jewish,” he announced under his breath as he was left alone in his office.

A lot had happened in the 4 years since Marjorie and Kumar had last seen each in the cafeteria. Marjorie had graduated at the top of her class with honours in Computer Engineering and had gone on to join a data processing company which had been started by a member of the club and a close friend of Marjorie’s father. Whereas Kumar had finished with honours with a degree in English and had been accepted at Columbia Law School. After his first year he had been promised a summer job at Mr Sherman’s law firm, but at the same time he had received a call from Mr Levy letting him know he was looking into starting a charity to help orphans in India and asked if Kumar would be interested in the project, which would be under the direction of his son, who in addition to being a lawyer himself shared his father’s passion. For Kumar there was no competition. He jumped at the chance of helping orphans and giving them the opportunity he had, even though he had a family. Mr Sherman, though upset, fully understood Kumar’s reasons.

At exactly 12pm on the dot, a taxi pulled up to the front doors of Greenbriar Country Club and a valet opened the door for Kumar Krishna Sanyal. Dressed in an expensive blue suit with matching tie courtesy of a shopping expedition in the company of Mr Levy’ son, Barry, he stepped out feeling very out of place as he was greeted by his shopping companion.

“I really feel I don’t belong here,” said Kumar as he shook Barry’s hand and walked with him up the stairs and through the large doors into the ornate reception area. Barry smiled and patted Kumar on the back. A gesture not lost on anyone who stood in the reception area waiting for the guest of honour to arrive Gen Ariel Benjamin, who was a former Prime Minister of Israel. The two men walked up to the maître de and Barry asked that the man put the initials DNC against both men’s names.

“DNC?” asked Kumar, believing they stood for the Democratic National Committee.

Barry laughed quietly, “no, I don’t think my father would approve of that! DNC stands for do not call.” They were shown to their table which sat a total of ten people. The others were already seated. Mr Levy wasn’t one of them. Barry and Kumar introduced themselves, as the others weren’t members of the club and then they sat down. Once seated and the pleasantries dealt with, Barry leaned over and said to Kumar under his breath, “do not call.”

Kumar looked a little puzzled. “Do not call?” instinctively he looked around the large ballroom which was packed to see if he could catch a glimpse of anyone he knew and in particular Mr Rosenbaum, but he saw no one.

“Yes, and you will see why.” Everyone talked amongst themselves until a gentleman at the head table which was where Mr Levy sat got up and announced the arrival of Gen Ariel Benjamin. Immediately everyone in the room included Kumar, jumped up and the applause was deafening. It would’ve been difficult for anyone there not to be caught up in the moment. Kumar found himself applauding just as hard as everyone else, even though he wasn’t quite sure why. Once Gen Benjamin had taken his seat, the programme unfolded. It began with Mr Levy standing up, welcoming Gen Benjamin and then for the next fifteen minutes or so went on to list the Prime Minister’s achievements. Mr Levy then concluded his speech by saying, “on behalf of my company and specifically my son Barry, Mr Kumar Sanyal, of whom you will be learning a lot more, and my family, I pledge the amount of 2.5 million dollars to the State of Israel!” Even before the last syllable had left his lips, the entire room leapt to its feet and in deafening applause turned their attention firstly towards Mr Levy and then gradually towards both Barry and Kumar.

Kumar stood together with his shopping partner and smiled nervously. He really didn’t have a good idea of what was going on. But he did realise he was being swept up in something he had no control of. For that reason and that reason alone, he felt very uncomfortable.