She telephoned her son, Robert, who had recently opened his office, Harkiss Interiors. “Robert, I need your help. Are you very busy?” Robert, who had had only a single commission—the guest room in the apartment of Mrs. Grainley Wiley, with whom he was having an affair—was sick with worry over his upcoming office rent. He needed another commission. He made the usual noises of “let me see” and “I think I can squeeze you in” before he agreed.
