Peter S. Goodman

Wow.

Okay.

They didn't even know.

And then the handful of people who did know were like, the last thing I want to do is talk about this subject with someone from the New York Times.

And I figured out...

that the head of East Penn, the then CEO of East Penn, this guy Chris Pruitt, is getting this Distinguished Service Award from the Battery Council International.

And I'm planning to go because it's going to be my only shot.

At this point, I've got calls out to their various marketing people.

I've just gotten nowhere.

So I know Chris Pruitt's there.

I really want to talk to him.

The communications guy says, this is supposed to be

honoring him.

And if you're there asking these uncomfortable questions, that'll really be awkward.

Now, the reporter in me is like, well, I don't really care.

I work for the reader.

I have to go ask these questions.

But I thought, well, if I'm not going to get anywhere anyway, and I'm just going to make a spectacle of myself, there's no upside to that.

I won't ambush him, but out of that, I'll get some basis for a more productive engagement and maybe go visit him in Pennsylvania.

I do finally hear from an outside PR firm for East Penn, and I start to engage with them.