I was getting impatient.

Lunch came and went very quickly and I ate a sandwich and drank copious amounts of coffee through the day, but eventually the meetings were finished.

My entire contribution had lasted six seconds. What a waste. I was tired, had a headache and needed to stretch my legs. I went to the common area and stood at a window with a coffee I’d got from an auto dispenser. All I could see was the mist below me, and the research building about seven hundred yards away. It was dusk; the entire Building had been illuminated by massive lamps on the roof, looked kind of nice really, but all I could think about was the files in my case.

I decided to go to my office and look over it again. Jethro caught me, as I was about to enter the Pedway.

“Ah, Dr Erwin. Quite an important meeting don’t you agree?”

Hell, I’d agree that up was down if it would get rid of him. “Sure was Mr Spokesman” he liked to be addressed by his job title,” It’s good to know things are running so smoothly”

“Indeed?” Jethro looked thoughtful, which was difficult really considering he’d had his eyes replaced with Bio-metal ones and his eyebrows were now a complex of scars, I doubted this was his first implant.

“The Foundation are pleased with the progress the University is making in their cataloguing and research” he started to look a little shifty,” However, According to Central Computer, The Records Department is twelve percent behind their estimated work schedule for the period. Is there a problem?”

Damn, I had to think fast.

“No problems Mr Spokesperson, had some Training issues with my assistants and My Hyper Relay in my Computer Pad had to be replaced twice. I’m sure we can make up the backlog this next period.”

He seemed placated.

“I’m sure you can. Good day”

And with that he turned and walked away. I knew he tried to make appoint of talking to the researchers and scientists as little as possible so it bothered me he’s made such an effort to basically chastise me when a MemoVid would have done exactly the same thing. Still, I just wanted to get to my office.