Former Merck boss: Hi Kev, just calling to see how you are doing? Word is out that you are looking for a new job? What's up buddy?
Duffy: Yeah, well, honestly things did not work out as I had originally figured. And it really looked so good, the JTM and the people on the SAB, you know. But then you can't really know exactly what's going on till you look under the covers.
Merck: OK, so what's wrong? Can I help?
Duffy : Gee thanks but I shouldn't really be saying anything.
Merck: C'mon ole buddy, this is your big bro talking to you as a friend. You know I didn't want you to leave.
Duffy: Yeah, I know but I thought this was my chance to make it big and move on down to Key Biscayne and get that 35 foot fishing boat I always dreamed about. Fishing everyday and out of the rat race. That's what I thought but those dreams are on hold. Drat!
Merck: Well it can't be that bad. Like you said, all these top guys.....
Duffy: You would think but working on that SAP just opened Pandora's box on the whole trial. You might say they are pioneering new criteria with this new SAP which is the size of a telephone book. Well, when you get into the weeds with all the data they accumulated and you cannot get because you are on the outside, you really begin to understand why they could not go with the original SAP. I tried to help them as best I could but it is really disappointing. It's really unsettling and frankly, the ship is taking on water. Look, the management team is being really positive but there are leaks. You know that Dr. Bosch? Real smart guy and nice too. When I was up in Bethesda for are meeting with Linda, we had dinner together and he got a little tight. Confided in me. You know he is going back to the Netherlands. Said something about consulting and teaching at the University of Rotterdam. Huh? He said he wanted to move back but they persuaded him to stay on by giving him a raise and letting him work out of an office in Amsterdam. He said something about EU liaison and working with the NHRA in the UK. But he said plenty of time for other activities.
Merck: Gee buddy it does not look too good. You know what? We were thinking of doing something with them but you saved me a lot of grief. Anyway, don't worry. mums the word. Look, Kev, we go back a ways and I totally understand that you needed to take a chance. At your age smart thing to do. I did it too. No disloyalty but you gotta try things. Sometimes they work sometimes they don't. But good on you, you tried. Hey, Kev, come on back we need you. Look you can still stay down in Weston. It is a slick deal. And I will get you some more money because you saved me from a possible big mistake. We have each other's back. Whaddaya say?
Duffy: You made me an offer I just can't refuse. Why don't you come down and stay at my place? We can sign the deal and then go fishing in the Bahamas for a couple of days.
Merck: You got it bro. See ya in two.
