Brilliant anecdote, Andrew, even if lineation a bit ragged.
Best from Max
On 30/1/08 6:33 PM, "andrew burke" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> He tells everyone he can take it
> in his stride - a conference call interview with
> the dean, the HOD, an associate prof
> and sundry underlings - then
> betrays himself in the night
> dreaming of himself naked and drunk
> at a cocktail party
> brushing his sweaty frame against
> silk dresses and Italian suits
> only to find Rufus his favourite dog,
> a golden retriever dead sixteen years,
> dirty and dusty, broken of
> spirit and one leg, crouching
> on the verandah like a wounded waif ...
>
> The phone rings.
> He clears his throat and answers.
> It's the panel. They are a desert away
> and he is hungover from his dream.
> The interview staggers between
> history and logic, ethics and practice.
> 'Well, thank you for giving us your time,'
> the dean politely finishes. 'Human resources
> will contact you in
> the near future.' And, like a Greek chorus
> of kookaburras, the panelists
> (five) all chirp their goodbyes.
> He laughs and hangs up. A roasted almond
> is small reward but his diet
> won't take more. The mail delivers
> new bills and glossy junk mail.
> His grand-daughter wants
> 'old peoples' programmes on TV.
> He laughs and hangs on to
> her freshness, her energy.
>
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