Chapter 3

As I followed him down the hallway, he began a running commentary on the advantages and disadvantages to each classroom, such as the poor acoustics in the classroom where most of the courses I was assigned to teach took place, but he assured me that all the students would stay awake in my classes due to the poor heat.

As we got further down the hall, he revealed a primary focus of office politics was space and location. The farther away from his office would be translated on where we stood in the pecking order. I noted that being the case he must really hate me as we continued on. He laughed, and reminded me that I was the newby on the block. If I didn't like it, publish some articles and bring some prestige to the department and see how fast I would be rewarded.

As we reached the end of the hall, I saw a maintenance worker busy painting something on a door. Ben had a puzzled look on his face and murmured, "What the fuck?"

As we approached, Ben became agitated as he read the newly painted inscription, ANNEX OFFICE OF DR. JASON FEDER. He addressed the maintenance worker, "Tom, you knew what I told you to do last week. What happened?"

The worried maintenance worker responded, "Dr. Stevens, he told me you changed your mind. So I've been busy replacing all the furniture and equipment in this office. The last thing I gotta do is change out the locks and get the keys to Dr. Feder."

"Tell you what, Tom, unlock the office so I can see what is going on." Ben quietly said.

Tom complied with the order and opened the door for Ben's review. New plush furniture, chic art decor, and new equipment, including a state of the art computer system glistened in the office. Ben walked around and studied the entire layout.

Then he turned to me and said, "It appears that Dr. Feder has spent his entire budget this year updating your office, Reed. Congratulations!" Then he turned to Tom and told him to change out the locks as ordered, but, under no circumstances was he or any of the maintenance crew to give a set of keys to Dr. Feder. No one was to remove anything out of the office without the express permission of Dr. Stevens, and finally, the sign on the door would be changed to Dr. James Reed.

As we walked away, Ben turned to me and said, "I'm afraid, I've put you right in the middle of a powerplay by our associate professor. But, by God, I'll teach him a lesson!"

I frowned, "I don't remember meeting him Monday."

Ben chuckled, "You didn't. He ignored my invitation. Probably just as well seeing what a horse's ass he is."

We went to a local pizza parlor and I was amazed at the number of early arrival students that made their way to our table and chatted with their old professor. What was equally impressive was the joy and animation Ben got from interacting with the students.

Thursday, I had the dubious honor of meeting Dr. Jason Feder. While I sat quietly working on lesson plans in my new office, I heard the doorknob rattle and then a pounding on the door. I went to unlock it and stood face to face with a very upset man.

"What the hell are you doing in my annex?"

"Good morning, I'm assuming you are Dr. Feder. I'm James Reed, the new assistant professor." I offered my hand for a handshake but he ignored me.

"I asked you what are you doing in my office!"

I drew a long breath and told him that Dr. Stevens had assigned me the office along with the furnishings. He went ballistic when I told him that and he ranted in the cavernous hallway for five minutes. I tried to remain calm as he hurled insult after insult on Ben.

"Well, I don't give a good goddamn what that old fool said. You are leaving!"

I looked him in the eye and told him that I would leave only if Dr. Stevens told me. He puffed up with that and assured me that in ten minutes time I would be out on my ass. With that he marched toward Ben's office. One of the witnesses to Feder's hallway rant was Ben's secretary, Mary, so I knew that Ben already had a headsup as Feder went to his office.

I went back to preparing my lesson plans when I heard another knock on my door thirty minutes later. I sighed and got up and opened the door to a beet red Jason Feder. Gritting his teeth, he told me he was there to get his furnishings out of my office. Again, I looked him in the eyes and told him that Dr. Stevens had made an express order that only he could authorize the removal of any of the furnishings.

That started another temper tantrum, but, I remained steadfast that Jason Feder would have to get permission from Dr. Stevens. Finally, I told him that it was lunchtime and I was scheduled to dine with Dr. Stevens. Perhaps he would consider joining us and try to convince Dr. Stevens to release the furnishings back to him, I suggested.

Feder told me to go fuck myself. Instead of retaliating I merely locked my office and went toward Ben's office. Ben had promised to show me the best burger joint in town...my treat.

As I bit into the humongous cheeseburger, I had to admit it was the best burger I ever had. I took a swig of beer to wash it down as Ben continued to regale me with the specifics of Feder's visit with him. As we compared notes, it was obvious that neither one of us would be getting a Christmas card from Feder anytime in the near future.

Saturday arrived, Ben had scheduled a get together party for the faculty at his house. I arrived early and met his charming wife, Teri. Like the attractive Southern matron she was, she graciously accepted the bottle of wine I had purchased for them and took me by the arm and introduced me to everyone.

When we were not conversing with others, Teri was telling me stories about Ben. Every bit of information endeared him to me even more. She told me they found out early in their marriage they would not be able to conceive. That tragedy allowed them to form a strong commitment to one another. Still they were haunted by what might have been. Then Teri gave me a wonderful compliment. She said Ben thought of me as a son. I was humbled and choked by that admission as I started wiping away tears.

"Damn, Boy! I thought I was the only one Teri could drive to tears!"

I was startled to see Ben behind us and he told Teri he wanted to show me his shop. I excused myself from Teri and we walked to the large building. As we entered, I was stunned to see how immaculate and pristine the shop was. It was the total opposite of the clutter in his office.

There in the middle of the floor was the antiquated Indian motorcycle in showroom condition. Ben began to explain how he came upon the body and motor in a junkyard and purchased it for next to nothing and slowly brought the bike back to life.

"Something this beautiful deserves a second chance." he explained.

I had to agree with him.