Coffee, Love and Matrix algebra by Davis Gary Ernest

Author:Davis, Gary Ernest [Davis, Gary Ernest]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: HUM012000, FIC016000
Publisher: Republic of Mathematics
Published: 2014-07-27T04:00:00+00:00

40

Alex and Ani, and me

Jeffrey was staggered at the fee Lisa told him to ask for as a consultant on his book project. “Fifty thousand dollars for six months is a hundred thousand a year. That’s more than some of our new Assistant Professors with a Ph.D. make”, he thought to himself. Jeffrey called his editor and put the proposal to him, asking if he could talk to the appropriate people in the organization, who could make a decision. “Leave it with me, Jeffrey”, his editor said. “I will get back to you within twenty four hours.”

Jeffrey thanked him and reflected on Lisa’s chances. “Five thousand seems more likely to me,” he thought. “ That’s a couple of times more than undergraduates expect to get working on a project at the University for a semester, so … five thousand for six months.” He could see that. “Maybe ten thousand if she’s lucky.” Jeffrey hoped Lisa would not leave the project if she was disappointed in the sum his publisher was likely to offer her. She had brought him an amazing run of luck and he wanted that to continue.

Jeffrey’s editor called him a little over four hours later. “Jeffrey, good news. It’s done. We’re happy to offer Lisa the fee she asked. There will be some contractual details to work through, of course. Management and the technical team are very impressed by Lisa’s work and we feel she will help to bring this project to a high level of technical excellence. We’re exited to be getting into this CDF business – quite a new opportunity for us.”

Jeffrey would have sat down were he not already. A salty saying from his undergraduate days crossed his mind. “Unbelievable!” he thought. He shook his head, partly in admiration. “That girl was born under a lucky star.” He had to admire Lisa’s audacity. He would never, not even as a Distinguished Professor, have asked for so much. Yet she, just entering her senior year as an undergraduate, had not only asked for, but had been granted, fifty thousand dollars! Without much discussion it seemed. He had to call Lisa right away. Her phone rang and she answered.

“Lisa, I have good news for you. My publisher has accepted your terms for the project: fifty thousand dollars for six months. You will have to sign a contract that will detail the deliverables, among other things, but you’ve got what you asked for.”

There was silence from Lisa’s end. “Are you there Lisa?” asked Jeffrey.

“Yes. I’m here,” she said.

“Did you hear what I said?” he asked.

“Yes, I heard. I just can’t believe it. Thank you for asking for me. I am very grateful. Should I come and see you?”

Jeffrey smiled, happy to be the bearer of good news. “No, take it easy for a while. Go celebrate.”

Lisa was feeling an odd mixture of being stunned yet empowered. She felt a strong need to talk to Kathy Riverton. Lisa went to Kathy’s office and knocked at her door.

“Come in,” said Kathy.

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