After the performance Cookie and the two other ladies in the ensemble are encircled by a fawning kno

After the performance Cookie and the two other ladies in the ensemble are encircled by a fawning knot of devotees, and Raj sees an opportunity to approach Lincoln Porter. Lincoln is a multi-millionaire property developer, and Raj used to count him as a friend and business associate before his incarceration. Lincoln gives him an affable smile.
“Looking sharp, Raj,” he says. “How’re things?”
“Good, good,” says Raj. “Where’s Jasmine tonight?”
“At home. She can’t handle going out at night anymore, she gets tired too easily,” says Lincoln. “Did you know she’s pregnant? Seven months.” He adds proudly, “It’ll be our third.”
“Congratulations, my friend,” says Raj. “That’s wonderful news.” Lincoln gives a modest smirk.
“Are you here with anyone?” he asks.
“I’m here with Lavinia,” says Raj. Lincoln raises an eyebrow.
“You’re here with Lavinia Cook?” he says. “You’re dating?”
“We have been spending some time in each other’s company, yes,” says Raj.
“Well, well,” says Lincoln. “You sly devil.”
“How’s business?” asks Raj, not wanting to talk about Cookie. He has never felt the compulsion to share details of his private life with other people. Lincoln talks about his ideas for expanding into retirement homes and student housing, which he says offer “relatively stable cash flow, high occupancy and good liquidity.” Raj nods sagely.
“You’re still on the Chamber of Commerce, aren’t you Lincoln?” Raj says. “Because I made an application a few weeks ago to rejoin and I haven’t heard anything back yet.”
“Ah, ” says Lincoln. “Well. I thought you would’ve heard by now-”
“Heard what?” says Raj. Lincoln makes a slight grimace.
“I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you, Raj, but your application was rejected,” he says.
“On what grounds?” says Raj. The room seems to have become a few degrees cooler. Lincoln can feel goosebumps pimpling his skin.
“Moral and ethical grounds,” he says.
“The hell are you talking about?” says Raj.
“You were convicted of a felony, Raj,” says Lincoln. People are starting to turn around and stare at them. “I’m sorry, it wasn’t my decision-”
“I was the founder of the Chamber of Commerce in this town,” says Raj. “Without me, this place wouldn’t even have any fucking commerce. I put this town on the map!”
“Raj, I’m sorry.” says Lincoln. “If it had been up to me-”

Cookie has come  hurrying over, her eyes huge and liquid in her flawlessly made up face.

“Raj, what’s going on?” she says. “You’re making a scene. Everybody’s looking.”
“In that case, I’d better leave,” he says. “Delightful to see you again, Lincoln.”