Standard Procedure: Crossing the "Rubicon" at the Boom Boom Room

by Nate Freeman

“Rubicon,” the new AMC conspiracy theory show that celebrated its upcoming premiere with a party at The Standard Wednesday night, is named for the river in Italy that inspired the idiom “crossing the Rubicon”-as in, passing a point of no return. The phase refers to Caesar’s decision to lead his army across the river, which was equated with an act of war. And taking that elevator to The Top Of The Standard is something akin to that act-it is, in some respects, like passing a point of no return. But before we got to the Boom Boom Room there was the real reason for the event: a roundtable discussion about national intelligence and counter-terrorism-no dessert until you finish your vegetables, etc.

The attendees of the party-which was co-hosted by Vanity Fair-sauntered around the balcony outside The High Line Room, taking in the view of the Hudson snaking past the long line of sun-silhouetted monoliths. The attendees were cupping glasses of white wine, picking at small plates of salad and crumbly French cheese, and chatting up the cast members. Media consultant and entrepreneur Elizabeth Spiers had come because she was genuinely interested in the show-she said that she’s always had a secret desire to be involved with intelligence.

There was a scramble for seats-there were three empty toward the front, but they were all reserved for David Simon. On stage there was a silver-haired Bob Kerry, former senator and current New School president, in a canvas sport coat; Michael Sheehan, former deputy commissioner for counterterrorism and National Security Counsel; Jack Devine, former CIA chief of worldwide operations; and Henry Bromell, an executive producer of the show. Vanity Fair writer Rich Cohen moderated, and opened with an extended metaphor related to “Three Days of the Condor,” which, like “Rubicon,” takes place in lower Manhattan.

Then they showed clips from the show-there’s a code in the crossword puzzles!

Jack Devine held fast to the idea that there are no real conspiracies in his line of work. He said his job “doesn’t make for good movies,” which doesn’t exactly bode well for the future of “Rubicon.”

Then, someone asked the inevitable question about the U.S.’s support for Israel-this really riled up Bob Kerry, who talked until the organizers in the back were making helicopter signals to cut the talk off.

So, the Boom Boom Room, for the uninitiated, lived up to some of its rapturous hype-a sweeping gold-lit wooden centerpiece shot out of the bar, and everywhere guests walked in front of giant vistas of the glowing skyline. (This is true even though the nightlife at The Standard has been rebooted, as of last month, with the emphasis on “Le Bain” now. It has a pool and a hot tub.) The DJ spun some Talking Heads, and if you really wanted to, you could have convinced yourself that you had walked into “Bright Lights, Big City.” The new Studio 54, indeed. The party had filled out, as obviously many opted to skip the talk. The prime real estate, the couches by the windows, had been claimed. The Observer’s Max Abelson talked with us about that final question about Israel.

“It would be great to talk to that guy,” Max said, referring to the person who asked it.

We looked around for him. There was Mark Ruffalo, but he seemed in-and-out. Someone said they saw him earlier, downstairs getting a drink with Sienna Miller.

The balconies had a glass floor with a view that shot down to the tiny-looking taxicabs. What a vertigo-inducing place! Jessica Collins, who plays one of the female leads in “Rubicon,” came out. Her boyfriend was guessing where I went to school-first he looked at my tie and notepad and said “Ivy League,” and then Texas, and I told him somewhere between that. Then a couple of gatecrashers showed up. I commended the crashers for getting in, and told them to indulge in as much free drinks and things as possible.

Henry Bromell, the show’s executive producer, lamented that they had to film the next day at 8:30 in the morning. Will all this Moët et Chandon make for a cranky cast come tomorrow?

“They’ll be fine,” he said, and smiled.

And, wow, you’re on AMC. Is Rubicon going to maintain the hot streak they’ve had, what with “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad?”

“That’s the goal,” Henry said. “It’s a high bar but it’s a goal.” Okay!

By the way, the bathrooms at the Top of the Standard are an easy pick for the Bathroom Hall of Fame-they’ve got floor-to-ceiling views of the city and stalls built from a series of sleek mirrors. It’s a level of opulence that seems excessive, especially given that the party is fêting a show about the gritty mean streets of lower Manhattan, where scrappy heroes eat from halal carts and dig for clues in shady basements and all that stuff.

I finally caught glimpse of James Badge Dale, the star of “Rubicon,” as he made his way to the door. His hair was slicked back and he had on a dark gray vest.

“I’m having a good time,” he said. “There are a lot of people who have put in long hard hours.”

He was now twisting his neck toward the exit, visibly anxious to get out. I asked about how he would weather the morning’s filming to come.

“I had one beer,” he said. “But have a drink for me!”