Chương 2: 2 - Recruited

"Hey George. The big boss wants to meet with you. Can you come to the boardroom this afternoon?" Asked Cheri on the phone a week before the proposal presentation.

"Can't anyone of you remind him I have already retired?" Georgina attempted to refuse.

"Oh, you know Dean Carlos, girl. He hasn't found anyone as effective and efficient as you. Anyway, just make time for now, alright? Tell him off yourself this afternoon." And Cheri immediately hung up before George could reply.

Cheri is George's former colleague who is also one of her good friends. When George started working at A University, the two hit it off right away. The bond even became stronger because both their husbands are technology geniuses. Even after George's retirement and the end of her marriage, the two remained friends.

Having no other choice but to show up in the meeting, lest, she would be seen as rude, George dressed up and went to her former workplace at the agreed time. All the other administrators that she worked with during her employment are already there when she arrived. It was only the president, Dean Carlos who was yet to step into the boardroom.

After a short catching up with her contemporaries, Dean finally arrived. He asked his assistant to brief George on the project at hand then proceeded to convince her to do the presentation at JADE the following week.

"Mr. President, I don't quite understand why the university is not assigning this to Bernard. He is your main physics guy here."

"But he just doesn't get it, George. He won't be talking with his own kind and I still don't see him explaining this at a level that people in the business world would understand. For years, you are still the only one I know in-house who could talk physics to anyone and be understood at once."

"Dean is right, George. You always show concepts even as you deal with technicalities and that is what we need for this proposal presentation." Interjected Francis, the academic head who is also another friend of George.

"When's the presentation?"

"Now, we're talking, George." Said Francis with a smile.

"I didn't agree yet."

"But you're considering it."

"Guys, when you put it that way, it's difficult to turn you down. This place is like home to me."

"So, you're coming back?"

"Shut up France! We are just discussing the presentation."

"I was just trying my luck. We miss you here, you know."

"I miss all of you, too but I love my independence now. I could choose to be a home buddy or a globe trotter without having to worry of missing work."

"I won't attempt to ask for more. So it's settled. George is presenting the technical side."

"I haven't agreed yet sir Dean. I need to know when exactly. I have a family event in Ise next week. My grandfather will not forgive me if I miss that."

"It will be next Wednesday, 10AM in one of there conference rooms. Can you make it?"

"I'll make time and leave right after the presentation. But I would be there as Bernard's stand in."

"You will be introduced as consultant. Is that alright?"

"That would be fine, Francis."

"See you on Wednesday, then."

Just like that, George, the workaholic was recruited to the project.