Would You Be Friends with Stone Barrington's Lawyer/Detective?

Would you be friends with Stone Barrington's fictional lawyer/detective?

Most likely, we would be casual, pleasant acquaintances but not close friends. In a world where Stone Barrington and his creator share the same social circle, a meeting of similar backgrounds and interests might occur. We live on the same side of town, frequent the same restaurants, belong to the same exclusive club, travel to the same cities, and depart from the same airport. Yet, despite the similarities, there are reasons to believe that our relationship might not extend beyond a basic level of familiarity.

Background and Perceptions

Stone Barrington comes from "New England money," but his background carries a hint of nouveau riche. On the other hand, my personal history is closer to the elegance of "old money," though not as rich as Stone's. Stone's image is slightly tainted by his preference for a womanizing lifestyle, which initially might put me off. However, it is his lack of a sense of humor, depth of character, and lightness of spirit that truly stand out as significant drawbacks. Personal qualities such as these are vital to me, and without them, it is unlikely that our friendship would flourish.

Interactions and Probability of Friendship

Even if we are to meet in a common place, such as a small dining room at our club, Ken Aretsky at Patroon, or the bar at P. J. Clarke's, the most probable outcome is that we would strike up a cordial but superficial relationship. We would be acquaintances who may see each other at social gatherings, feel comfortable asking favors, and maintain a surface-level connection. However, given Stone's discomfort with deep personal conversations and his aversion to intellectual exchanges, despite his intelligence, I doubt the bond would ever deepen into a close friendship.

Character Analysis and Compatibility

Stone's personality seems to revolve around his instincts and instincts alone. He appears to have no close male friends beyond Dino, and his ability to engage in deep, meaningful conversations is limited. This might suggest that Stone's character is inherently solitary and perhaps even antisocial. In contrast, the idea of an emotionally moody individual like myself would not sit well with Stone, who likely values stability and predictability. Additionally, Stone often associates with dubious characters, which would likely put me off.

The likelihood of a meeting is minimal, perhaps via a random encounter in an elevator or witnessing the same event. Even if a connection were to be made, there is a high chance that our temperaments, despite sharing some social parallels, would be starkly different. I would prefer to maintain a subtle distance from the kind of experiences that Stone frequently finds himself engrossed in, such as the FBO at Teterboro or the Grill Restaurant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the scenario of meeting Stone Barrington's lawyer/detective is intriguing, the compatibility and potential for a deep friendship seem highly improbable. Our backgrounds, personalities, and social circles, though intertwined, do not inherently lay the groundwork for a lasting bond. It is more realistic to envision a cordial but superficial relationship, characterized by a mutual understanding and occasional, polite interactions rather than a close, enduring friendship.