The last free lunch

One-liners sprinkle conversations with Bob Clark, a 78-year-old, handlebar mustachioed steel company executive who somehow manages to deftly mix southern gentleman panache with a fraternity brotherhood vibe.

Like this gem: “My first wife was a chemist,” cracks Clark. “She was able to turn money into s—t.”

There's also the business card he often hands out. The card, in part, mentions Clark's “wars fought, revolutions started and assassinations plotted,” in addition to his “tigers tamed and bars emptied.” The back states “as a last resort steel bridges are fabricated under the name of Tampa Steel Erecting Co.”