Chapter 1

INTERVIEWS

Helen sits in a hard, oaken chair inside the open door of the biology chairmans office. More than a half hour has elapsed beyond her appointment with him at 9:00 a.m. She squirms on the hard chair, feels sticky from sweat this mid-August afternoon. Why am I here waiting for an interview when Im supposedly hired for the vacant biology position? The letter from the Vice President for Academics says so. Besides, Ive got a lot of work to do. Gotta move everything into my apartment.

Just then, a short figure blurs by Helen, dumps a bag with sweat-soaked jogging attire on the floor by his desk. Hi, Helen? he blows, Im Dr. Holman.

Helen jerks upright. She cant help but sway toward first impressions. He leans his full weight on his doctoral title like all the medical doctors shes been in contact with. So Im just Helen but hes Dr. Holman

Im a little late, but got to get my jogging in.

We met a couple days ago, reminds Helen. At the Presidents reception for new faculty. And here he also introduced himself as Dr. Holman.

Ah yes, of course. He imparts a nervous grin.

Helen studies the chairman. Blond hair haloes his ruddy face beset with frost blue eyes. A goatee points his chin. Only a smidgeon shorter than she. In his forties, she guesses. You also go by Jake? I might as well feel him out right away.

Oh, sure. He clears his throat. To folks who know me well. Jake scrutinizes his new faculty member-to-be. He sees a slim, taller-than-average young woman with small breasts. Cropped auburn hair crowns her well-shaped head. Robins-egg blue eyes straddle a pointed nose, stare directly at him.

Helen feels his scrutiny. Should have changed into a dress. Jeans are inappropriate for an interviewif thats what this is.

Do you have your doctorate? he inquires.

Helen wrinkles her forehead. He didnt look at my personnel file? How could I teach at the university without a doctorate? Yes, I defended my dissertation a couple weeks ago.

From where?

Oh boy. He doesnt know this either? The University of Wyoming.

Is that right? Im a Harvard man myself. His face lights up with a broad, toothy smilethe broadest yet during her interview. Tell me, how does a small western school stack up against a major eastern university?

Helen feels the hair on the back of her neck prickle, and her stomach begins to knot. I must tread carefully with this man even if he upsets me. I could be out of here before I begin. I dont rightly know, but I feel that I received good training. And I worked hard to get it. Helen ponders: Maybe Im justified to strike a return jab. My major advisor is a Yale graduate.

Jake acknowledges with a half-smile. He picks up a pencil, taps it on the glass covering the top of his desk. He looks up, stares intently at Helen. Mike Overmoe, our plant ecologist whom you know well, says you received both your B.S. and M.S. here from North Dakota University, and that he was your major advisor for your masters. Some might say that hiring a former student like yourself is like academic inbreeding. That is, not providing sufficient variety within the faculty. Any merit to this?

Why am I grilled like this? What does he expect me to say? Helen re-crosses her legs, turns to look through the offices west window at the clear burning day. Her mind races for a steadfast reply that doesnt alienate. But she decides not to acquiesce. Her stomach knots further.

No! With me, youre getting a known, proficient quantitymy good record at NDU supports that. With an outsider, that may not be the case. As for inbreeding, as you put it, someone with a doctorate from another major state university should provide sufficient varied experience of benefit to students, both graduate and undergraduate. Should I say more?

How I wish Dr. Fisher were still chairman. Too bad he retired. He was always pleasant and supportive of me. Helens timing was unfortunate. Jake came on board 3 years ago just after she left for Wyoming.

A fair response. Jake glances at the clock above Helen. I gotta run. Meeting of the science heads. Too bad we have to cut our interview short. You meet next with Mike. He rises, shakes his arms as if to rid himself of excess water. It can be a real cooker in Bismarck in the summer.

I have one question before you leave. Why am I being interviewed?

Just a formality, and for the newer faculty, like me, to get to know you.

Helen doesnt rise as Jake whisks by her. Shes glad the so-called interview is over, takes a few moments to collect her thoughts. A formality? Should I believe him? . . . Did I just dream all of this?


Prairie Crocus in a Mans World





ALAN M. CVANCARA