The minute I read John Grisham's book "The Firm," I thought of the company that the ex worked for. It is a huge, international company.

Back when he worked for it, the executives had to dress just so, right down to properly polished shoes and rep ties. Very conservative suits. Black, navy, or a VERY conservative pinstripe. Even the WOMEN wore rep ties and dark suits.

They were expected to volunteer so many hours per month for the Republican party. If they refused, they could forget ever being promoted.

The "parties" were dreadful - very Stepford-like. I can remember being pitied by the other wives because I had a job of my own. Most of them were in the Junior league.

I truly hated that company, and to this day, I will not buy any of their products. (Although some of their products are top-quality and I used them before I became disillusioned.)

It had a nice veneer but was very creepy underneath.