Chapters 4-6 Summary

Nick is in BR's office for his Monday morning meeting. BR is humorless towards Nick's attempts at banter. He insists Nick get on with it. Nick argues that the solution to the nascent advertising ban is the reintroduction of cigarettes to movies in a positive light. He cites the smoking boom that occurred when films began having sound and directors needed actors to do something while they talked. Nick argues that this innovation, combined with World War I and the beginning of dieting among women, led to the largest smoking boom in history. BR is underwhelmed and indicates to Nick that Jeannette will be taking his position as chief spokesperson. He tells him to go ahead with the Oprah show and be sure to mention that the industry is committing $500,000 to an underage-smoking prevention campaign.

Nick is backstage with Oprah, who...