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------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- “Listen to this, Paul.” ------- -------Dear Mr. Walker,
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-------We missed you at the 25-year Club Dinner. If you had joined the other new members, you would have enjoyed prime rib au jus with champignons, fresh asparagus tips beurre noir, and pan roasted potatoes. The dessert was baked Alaska. Champagne and appropriate wines were served.
-------I spoke briefly during dinner, expressing my appreciation for this year’s honorees’ total of over 2,500 years of loyal service to the University community.
-------After dinner, Provost Bonner gave a fascinating talk on universities in the late middle ages.
-------We hope to see you at next year’s dinner.
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------- Sincerely,
------- James Tilden
------- James Tilden, President ------- ------- “Bizarro!” Paul said. ------- ------- “I’ll say. What got into them?” ------- “I think you hurt their feelings, Don. They put on this terrific spread, and you spurned them. I told you to go.” ------- “Not without you, dear boy. If they won’t invite partners, they can keep their silly dinner.” ------- “That’s sweet, but I wouldn’t have minded.” ------- “Not the point. You know what? I’m writing back.” --------//- ------- “How’s this:”
-------Dear President Tilden,
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------- Thank you so much for your kind letter. I’m glad everyone had such a good time. I would have been honored to attend the 25-Year Club Dinner if I could have brought my bride.
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------- Sincerely,
------- Donald Walker
------- Donald Walker
------- -------“Bitchy, bitchy.” -------“I’m just twitting them. Is it all right with you, Paul?” -------“Sure, but why bother?” ------- “Because they’re not getting away with being jerks!” ------- “They won’t answer.” ------- “Then I’ll have the last word.” ---------//-- ------- “Will wonders never cease! You got a letter from President Tilden, Don. Nice stationery.” ------- “I’ll bet he’s annoyed, either that or they want money. Hmm... -------Dear Mr. Walker,
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------- I’m so glad you wrote me of your feelings. My letter was intended as light-hearted encouragement to come to next year’s dinner. Your reply has alerted us to a lack of sensitivity on our part for which I apologize. Let me assure you that, next year, spouses and partners will be invited. We look forward to seeing you.
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------- I feel, however, that we owe you more. I hope you and your bride will join Jane and me and a few of your colleagues for dinner at the Presidential Mansion on Friday, October 15th at 6:00 pm. Dress will be casual.
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------- Sincerely, Jim
------- James Tilden, President
------- -------“What do you think of that! ------- “Peremptory little bugger. He expects us to break our other engagements.” ------- “What other engagements? Anyway, he’s the President. It’s a royal summons. Don’t you want to go?” ------- “Of course, I do. Hey, guess who’s coming to dinner!” ---------//-- -------“Mr. Walker? Jim Tilden. Glad you could come. And this is...?” ------- “President Tilden, my partner Paul Prise. Paul’s a photographer for the City Paper.” ------- “I’m sure I’ve seen your work, Paul.” -------“The animal rights abuses in the bio labs, Jim? That was a nasty one.” -------“Oh, yes...of course. Well, then... Don Walker and Paul Prise, my wife, Jane, Professor Dan Lustig of the history department and his wife Arlene, and Ellen and Bob Grasso. Bob’s from the Bursar’s Office. Good to see you both. I want to apologize again about the 25-year Club Dinner. Your letter changed our thinking. Can I get you gentlemen something to drink?” ---------//-- ------- “What is this I’m drinking, Don? I don’t want to fall on my face. Speaking of faces, did you see Jim’s? I thought he’d choke when we walked in the door, but he recovered nicely. A real gentleman, and so handsome. And Jane’s a darling. Those are her watercolors. Aren’t they fine? She wants me to photograph her sculpture. This is fun. You’re a dear man for bringing me. Oh good, I think we’re being seated.” ---------//-- ------- “More wine, Professor?” -------“Thanks, Don. And you’re right, the Bugler Library has a first-rate collection of incunabula. I’m glad you’re interested in Renaissance history, and frankly I’m impressed by your knowledge of my work. Specialized scholarship has to be brought into the intellectual mainstream or our efforts are pointless. Now my own....” ---------//-- -------“You got your dog a corneal transplant at the Plum Eye Institute! President Tilden, there are hundreds of people walking the streets of Boston who can’t afford an operation like that.” ------- “Now, Paul. It was just...well, really an experiment. I mean, it might not have worked. The Plum has a free clinic, you know. They do many operations for the uh...indigent. But you make a good point. There is inequity in our society and...lack of communication. That’s exactly why Jane and I wanted to initiate these little get-togethers. So we could share insights! The University community is so much more than an ivory tower. We have our own wise and foolish, rich and poor, and...” ------- “Rich and poor, Jim? Here’s an insight for you. Bob tells me the University’s starting salary for a clerk is twenty-three thou, but you made over a million last year. Forty times! That’s not Ben and Jerry’s, my friend! Hey, here come’s the little doggy herself! Com’ere, Pumpkin! Come to Pauly. Good girl! Her eye looks fine, Jim.” ---------//-- ------- “Wasn’t that just the most fun ever, Don? And aren’t the Tildens grand! I told Jane I’d be over tomorrow to photograph her sculptures. She’s going to give me the recipe for that lobster thing. Did you have a nice time, luv? You and Dan were really going at it about the Franks and the Lombards. I didn’t know you knew that stuff. Everything all right, old bear?” ------- 8 August 07 |
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