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The Robinski Method

So many advances had been made in medical science in recent years that it seemed ridiculous to Mr. Prell that he had not buckled down and availed himself of some modern means of quitting his nasty habit. After all, many cognitive behavioral therapies had achieved fairly stunning results and smoking — that horrid social albatross of the past that still obstinately soots our gleaming future — was virtually on the brink of extinction at long last. It was undeniable that his coworkers and business associates looked down on this particular foible of Prell’s with a palpable disgust.

When Prell’s employer had offered to cover the cost of the two week course at the Robinski Institute through his insurance plan, he jumped at the prospect of a mini-vacation in the mountains. The brochure had looked more than promising. The two week retreat included excellent meals, pampering in the form of massage and bespoke culinary treats and a highly-touted success rate greater than 95% with little recidivism. It worried him just a little that the Institute was notoriously secretive about their methods. It was widely understood that those who had graduated from the program would not talk about their experience there but only offer an endorsement without any particular details. That floating question mark was a little irksome to the part of Prell’s mind that liked to know the nitty-gritty of everything. But he had signed on weeks ago and he looked down now at his phone chiming welcome and directing him to a smiling chauffeur approaching him across the airport’s crowded…