Antecedent

Had it been a university
he might have been made Emeritus Professor
or Reader
or Fellow.
Not so much sidelined as blindsided
by cunning – his rival’s
amalgamation : two research facilities – one position –
double or quits?
He couldn’t – his pension dependent on finishing his time –
five years –
brief when developing a research programme –
forever,
when not allowed any useful purpose.

He had only a few months left when I started
by then had been the subject of joke
and ridicule, ….. for four and half years
many did
I did once –
about his zero productivity.
One of the old staff looked at me sadly
and said,
“yes, but when he was the boss, things were done properly then.”