After the markets closed Vinny would get into his Cadillac and drive out to his big house in Long Island. Now there is the guy called Vladimir who gets into his jet and flies to his estate in Aspen for the weekend. I used to worry a little about Vinny. Now I worry a lot about Vladimir.
The passage highlights a contrast between two individuals, Vinny and Vladimir, who represent different lifestyles and success levels. After a day in the stock market, Vinny relaxes by driving his Cadillac to his home in Long Island, a symbol of affluence but still grounded compared to Vladimir. Vinny was once a source of concern, yet his situation appears more stable than that of the more extravagant Vladimir.
Vladimir, on the other hand, embodies a higher echelon of wealth and power, as he jets off to his estate in Aspen. This shift in worry indicates a deeper apprehension about the influence and capabilities of those at higher levels in the financial world, suggesting that Vladimir’s wealth and means present a more significant concern than Vinny's. The evolution of anxiety from Vinny to Vladimir signals a change in priorities about who poses a greater risk or represents more substantial issues in financial markets.