I was not fired. I was summoned to the managing partner's office the next morning, and I explained myself for forty minutes. I told him the truth about the project, the truth about the war room, and the truth about Denny. I told him I understood if he needed to let me go, and I told him I had already drafted my resignation letter and I was prepared to hand it to him if he asked. He did not ask. He sat in his chair, rubbing his forehead, for a long time. And then he said, "Can you excuse me? Can you wait in the lobby for twenty minutes?" I waited. Forty-five minutes later, Vincent Alessi walked past me in the lobby, carrying a cardboard box. He did not look at me. The managing partner called me back in. He said, "Vincent is no longer with the firm. I am promoting you to interim lead on the account. I want you to fly to Columbus tomorrow and rebuild this relationship. I am authorizing a full refund and a redo of the engagement at our cost. Can you do it?" I said yes. He said, "Thank you. I am so sorry."