She was still standing as she read:
"Referring to the drug Montayne, now under review at FDA and intended for women during pregnancy, Senator Den- nis Donahue today described the FDA's lack of a decision as 'clearly ridiculous in the circumstances.' "
She added, "The same report was in other newspapers.”
Celia stopped.”And there is something else, Senator.”
She selected another paper from her folder. Donahue, who had flushed a deep brick red, reached for his gavel. As he did, Senator Jaffee on the minority side called out, "No, no! Let the lady finish. I want to hear.”
"You accused our industry of killing people," Celia said, addressing Donahue.”I have here your voting record on tobacco subsidies ever since you entered Congress eighteen years ago. Every one of those years you voted 'yes' for subsidies. And with those votes, Senator, you have helped kill more people from lung cancer than the pharmaceutical industry has killed in most of its history.”
The last few words were lost in a tumult of confused shouting, some of it Donahue's as he banged his gavel, declaring, "This hearing is adjourned.”
What started, for Celia, as a dismal experience ended-or so it seemed-as a personal triumph. The same evening as her explosive clash with Senator Donahue, the television networks-ABC, CBS and NBC--carried almost the entire dramatic scene on their evening newscasts. As a critic subsequently wrote, "It was great theater, and TV at its immediate best.”
Newspapers, next day, accorded the story similar prominence.
The New York Times headed its report: A Spunky Lady Bests a Senator.
The Chicago Tribune had it: Sen. Donahue Crosses Jordan Afterward Wishes He Hadn't.
There was other emphasis. In this instance, it emerged, reporters-both for television and the press-had done their homework and some digging. As one explained it to Julian Hammond, who passed the information on to Celia, "Most of us found out about Mrs. Jordan's resignation over Montayne, also her insistence when she came back that the drug be withdrawn without waiting for the FDA. What no one seemed sure of was how to use that bit of background, so we saved it. As it turned out, holding it proved more effective in the end.”
Thus, most reports after the showdown had Celia standing tall in two ways. First, both her departure from Felding-Roth and her return-now recorded publicly-revealed her as a person of strong moral principle. Second, her refusal to make herself look good at the Senate hearings at the expense of her employer demonstrated a noteworthy loyalty. The Wall Street Journal began an editoriaclass="underline" There is usually more honor in business than business receives credit for. How pleasant it is, then, to have some honor not only plainly shown but widely acknowledged.
A few days after her return from Washington, Celia and Julian Hammond were together in her office. The public affairs vice president had brought in, happily, a newly received batch of press clippings which he spread over Celia's desk. Moments later, the arrival of Childers Quentin was announced. Celia had not seen the Washington lawyer since their final day on Capitol Hill. His visit now was to review, with her, some more proposed settlements of Montayne lawsuits. She told her secretary to send him in. He looked tired and sounded moody, she thought as they greeted each other and she asked him to be seated. Hammond said, "I was just leaving, Mr. Quentin.”
He pointed to the news clippings.”We were savoring the spoils of victory.”
Quentin appeared unimpressed.”Is that what you call them?" "Certainly.”
The public affairs chief seemed surprised.”Wouldn't you?" The answer came grouchily.”If you think that, then you're both short-sighted.”
There was a silence, after which Celia said, "All right, counselor. You've something on your mind. Tell us.”
"All of that," Quentin motioned to the clippings, "as well as the TV coverage you've had, is heady stuff. But in a few weeks, most will be forgotten. The publicity will count for nothing.”
It was Hammond who asked, "What will count?" "What will count is that this company-and you personally, Celia-have acquired a formidable enemy. I know Donahue. You made him look a fool. Worse, you did it on his own home ground, the Senate, and-as it turned out-with millions watching. He'll never forgive that. Never. If, any time in the future, he can do harm to Felding-Roth or to you, Celia, he'll do it and enjoy it. He may even look for ways, and a United States senator-as I told you once -has levers of power he can pull.”
It was, Celia thought, as if she had suddenly taken an icy shower. And she knew that Quentin was right. She asked, "So what do you suggest?" The lawyer shrugged.”For the moment, nothing. For the future, as best you can, be cautious. Don't put yourself-or Felding-Roth -in any situation where Senator Donahue can do you harm.”
"What's Mrs. Jordan like?" Yvonne asked Martin. He thought before answering.”Attractive. Strong. Intelligent. Extremely good at her job. Direct and honest, so that when you deal with her, you always know where you stand.”
"I'm already nervous about our meeting.”
He laughed.”No need to be. I predict you'll like each other.”
It was a Friday evening in July and the two of them were in Martin's house at Harlow, into which Yvonne had moved completely almost a year before. She abandoned her small apartment because it seemed a needless expense. In the living room at this moment, books and papers were spread around-a clutter from Yvonne's studies for "A" level exams, now six months away. A year and a half had passed since, at Martin's urging, she had taken on the heavy work load which eventually, they hoped, would launch her into veterinary medicine. The studying had gone well. Yvonne, loving what she was doing, had never been happier. Her joy pervaded the household and was shared by Martin. As well as continuing to work at the Felding-Roth Research institute by day, she was having outside tutoring during some evenings and weekends. Martin-as he had promised -helped Yvonne, supplementing her learning with his practical experience. Another reason for pleasure was progress at the institute. Since the devastating "animal-rights" raid, the reassembly of data had gone far faster than expected. Now, not only was all of it recovered, but development of Peptide 7 had advanced to the point of being ready for a management product review. Celia, along with several others from New Jersey, would arrive at Harlow for that purpose on Wednesday of the next week. At this moment, however, thoughts of Celia were a digression. Martin continued to frown, as he had for several minutes, over a textbook-Murray's Principles of Organic Chemistry. "They've rewritten this since I studied it for my degree. Some of the new stuff is unrealistic. You'll learn it, then ignore it afterward.”
Yvonne asked, "You're talking about those systematic chemical names?" "Of course.”
The Geneva system for chemicals had been devised by the Inter national Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, abbreviated to IUPAC and pronounced "U-pak.”
The idea was that the name of any chemical compound should also indicate its structure. Thus, iso-octane became 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, acetic acid --- common vinegar-was ethanoic acid, and ordinary glycerin, propane-1,2,3 triol. Unfortunately, chemists who were supposed to use the IUPAC names seldom did, though examiners required them. Thus Yvonne was learning the new names for the exams, the old for future lab work. She asked, "Don't you use IUPAC names in the lab?" "Not often. Most of us can't remember them; also they're unwieldy. Anyway, let me test you on both.”