Читать книгу Sqerm - James A. Moore - Страница 17

Chapter 13

Four years ago, Parker had presented before his third dissertation committee. He sat facing three older gentlemen, and they were grilling him. But Parker was rarely fazed. Of the three, one of them, Dr. Bahia, was the committee chair and was leading the verbal onslaught. Two other doctors who were reticent flanked Dr. Bahia. Parker thought to himself, I thought he was my representative. Dr. Bahia was a gently graying gentleman in his midfifties and presented himself as an authoritative man.

“Parker, your ideas are radical, and not everyone here agrees with them. But we’re going to go ahead and approve this. Just a small recommendation—don’t be so militant and so quick to battle authority,” said Dr. Bahia.

“Dr. Bahia, that’s Dr. Parker and—”

Dr. Bahia interrupted, “See, Parker, this is exactly what I mean. You have earned your third doctorate, but you don’t respect the people awarding it…and I’m not even sure if you respect the process.”

“As I said, Dr. Bahia, it’s Dr. Parker—and it’s not that I don’t respect people. It’s that I respect science and facts more. Science and the facts never let you down. They’re always true, reliable, accurate and never judge you…even if you don’t like or agree with them.”

When he finished his statement, Parker deliberately stared at each of the committee members and ensured that they made eye contact. He wanted them to know that he knew they had made the process more stringent.

The other committee members frowned at Parker but nodded in agreement with Dr. Bahia.

Dr. Bahia changed his tone from what Parker had considered somewhat civil to what he thought was cynical, sprinkled with sarcasm. “Parker, please come get this signature sheet before we change our minds.”

Dr. Bahia signed the document, spun it around, and pushed it toward Parker.

“Good day, gentlemen.”

Parker picked the sheet off the table, ensured that he flicked the paper so that it gave a crisp pop. With no further word, Parker exited hastily.

The gentlemen mumbled to one another softly after Parker’s exit.

“This guy is a genius, but he is out there,” said Dr. Bahia.

“I heard he was nearly committed to an institution,” added one of the flanking members.

“I heard that as well. He has lots of potential, and in the right arena, Parker could make a pretty decent living,” stated Dr. Bahia.

“Parker has a PhD in computer science and a doctorate in business. Why would he spend so much time to go after a PhD in history?” the third member asked.