Since her recent visit to Los Angeles Lauren is crazy about her two brothers, Greg and Charles. The three of them have established an alliance against their grandfather and their mother, both of whom are blocking their access to the family wealth. Lauren called Charles yesterday evening and they talked for a very long time, albeit not that long by Californian standards. They were chummy. They were loud. They were crass. After the call she kept asking me what was wrong with me. “Ever since I talked to Charlie,” she repeated a few times, “you’ve been completely flat!” I kept denying it. How could I tell her that I was simply disgusted with her, him, them. I was disgusted with their entire family and their damned wealth.