Mad Men
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Who is Donald Draper?
asks Adam Whitman, Dons long-lost half brother, in the pivotal scene of 5G.
Kens success spooks his coworkers.
Until now, theyd done a pretty good job of keeping their own literary ambitions secret.
Yeah, Harry Crane replies, and it hurts, too.
Five, says Don.
It ends up inBoys Life, which seems just about right for a baby-faced man-boy driven mainly by petulance.
Boys Life, says Pete.
Next to exploding cigars.
The award is called the Newkie: it consists of a horseshoe nailed to a plaque.
No one wants to look like they care about awards, Don tells Betty.
But you do, she says, and shes right.
Creatively and emotionally, Don is in an impossible spot.
The phrase famous imposter is an oxymoron if the imposter knows whats good for him.
Adams smile brings back a history Don tried to erase.
Adam idolized his half brother and hasnt seen him since he abandoned the family when Adam was eight.
Adam eventually moved to New York and became a janitor at the Empire State Building.
Hes a freckled redhead with the apple- pie face of a Norman Rockwell soda jerk.
InMad Mens most nerve-racking scene yet, Don visits Adams hotel room with a satchel, contents unknown.
The $5,000 bribe feels nearly as violent because its a shot to Adams heart: an emotional rubout.
Don is already on the edge because hes juggling too many secrets.
Adam pushes him over.
Hes been contemplating an affair with Rachel Menken and having one with Midge.
Hes also deeply self-deceived over his plush sham of a home life.
Declarations of adoration and dependence pour out of her.
They sound desperate, not affirming.
Theyre conjoined by marriage but they still feel alone.
Excerpted with permission fromMad Men Carouselby Matt Zoller Seitz.
