Chapter 1

        I wanted to break into high finance — Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan. As someone old enough to remember the collapse of Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, and Lehman Brothers, I felt that was qualification enough to earn me a place inside Manhattan’s sanctum. An old elementary-school friend was already working there. My plan was to shape myself into a viable candidate: first by validating my professional experience with an MBA, recognized at both diploma and global levels; then by leveraging my network — potential investors included — and, of course, that pal in New York.

Was I trying too hard? As usual.
Did it take long to go berserk? Faster than you can imagine.
Did I get bang for my buck? You bet I did.