Norma began to breathe normally. She played with the

piping on the cushions and wished she could dismiss George

with a wave of the hand. But it was never that easy.

She remembered the snowy December evening in 1963 at the

King Edward Hotel. That night, it was George’s show.

Five hundred of Toronto’s moneyed elite crowded into the ballroom with immense crystal chandeliers, for a one hundred dollar a plate dinner to raise capital for Elixicorp Enterprises.

Eager talk swirled about Norma and Arthur. “Has Pappas really patented the elixir?”

“A wonder drug to prevent memory loss?”

A waiter thrust a silver plate of hors d’oeurves in front of Norma. As she helped herself, she scanned the room for George. There he was, surrounded by women. He tossed his massive head of curls back to laugh in deep, rolling cadences. Norma held her breath.

A woman in a blue sequined gown crushed against her. “My God! Isn’t he gorgeous? He can tuck his shoes under my bed anytime.” The woman winked at Norma and sipped her champagne.

Dinner in the ballroom was a luxurious affair. Silver candelabra and tiny, embossed menus were set out on snowy white tablecloths. Norma turned over her dinner plate to check the name. Her hand flew to her lips as she read, Spode. The twenty-piece orchestra began to play.

After dinner, Archie, sweat dripping from his brow, introduced George to the guests. Too many drinks, thought Norma. Next to Arthur, he was a buffoon and a pale imitation of George.

When the lights were lowered, a spot light swept across the ballroom to the stage.  Pappas rose before them like a magician weaving his spell. The audience was ready for seduction.

“My dear ladies and gentlemen! What if mother or dad lost all

memory of you, or their darling grandkids?” His voice rose

with a preacher’s zeal. “Wouldn’t that be one of the most

heart-wrenching experiences anyone could have?”

With microphone in hand, George stepped into the audience.

Touching one woman’s shoulder, he gazed into her eyes.

“Wouldn’t you do just anything to bring them back to you?”

Wide-eyed, the woman nodded dumbly.

“Well, friends, Elixicorp Enterprises can bring them back to

you.” George, followed by the spot light, strolled further into

the audience. Pointing to one and then another, he crooned,

“Soon as we’ve raised the capital and cut through all that red

tape, we will have the one, the only pill, to reverse the effects

of aging and restore memory loss.”

George sauntered back to the podium and loosened his tie “Now I know someone will say why that George Pappas must be some kinda snake oil salesman. Nobody’s got a pill for that.

The audience held its breath. Another woman, next to Norma, nudged her. “I hear he’s absolutely fantastic between the sheets.” Waving her champagne glass in front of Norma, she laughed. “A real tiger!”

Norma glanced at Arthur, pale in the shadows.

Swirling his jacket like a sorcerer’s cape, Pappas patted his red satin cummerbund and laughed. “But we do have that pill!” His voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. “Stretch yourself my friends! Buy as many shares as you can tonight. Why? Because in three months time, those shares will be worth three times as much.”

The eagerness of the crowd surprised even George. Men, waving check books, rushed to the back of the room to subscribe. George slapped Arthur on the back, saying “Artie, that’s the lovely rush of money.”

Now Norma was back in Arthur’s study with George still towering over her. “Please George! Don’t hurt me. I’ve got holes in my mind today. I’ll try to remember and when I do, I’ll call you right away.”

George shook his head angrily. “You stupid, old bitch. You think you can fool me with that? The money was raised for legitimate medical research and we need it now.”

In fury, Norma twisted away from him. “You’re just a bully without brains or style. You bilked everyone in Toronto, but greed made you careless.”
            Pappas gripped her arm so hard she screamed out.

“I’ll be back, Norma. You can’t hide it from me forever.” At last he walked to the door. Turning, he growled, “I will tear you apart if I have to. And you’ll be begging me to take those shares.”

He slammed the door. Norma waited in the cold apartment until she was sure he was gone. Then she hobbled downstairs and made a cup of tea.