Category: Before the Rain

Mr James,
sounds like a character from a PG Wodehouse novel –
Public School,
military,
foreign service.
He was – all of the above,
finished university just in time for war,
then to Africa.
The winds of change blew to New Zealand.

He’d been the boss,
before the takeover
and push from grace.
Lost everything,
even the original computer only he could tame –
moved to the new admin block,
where it was never used ….  and he never went.

The sign on his door still said Superintendent ….
it had been left –
everybody knew Superintendent to be lower than Director.
He introduced himself –
the air of a grandfather, wondering
exactly how many this new one made?

I wasn’t quite sure what he did.
His days were spent in his office with files
apparently some project for head office.
Full-time and part-time
arriving 8:30 am departing at 4 pm –
indifference seemed not to mind.

Keys. I was never given any.
assuming after, when on permanent staff –
fair enough.
Eager to please … I was often early –
most mornings the building already unlocked.
If not, arrivals would,
chirping greetings and opinions on the weather.

It was a surprise to see Mr James so early.
“Hello,” he said unlocking the door,
“forget your key…?.
Hmm….
why….? ” .… Then realized I didn’t know.
He took me to the hiding place, and the spare key.

An old joke –
three New Zealanders stranded on a desert island.
First course of action –
form a committee of three.
Second course of action –
nominate a chairman.
Third course of action –
form two subcommittees of two

At university
in my major department
committees – everywhere!!!.
Safety committee,
staff student committee,
academic committee,
research committee,
social committee,
try to get anything done. Frustration.

We met monthly,
scientists and technicians,
to plan and discuss.
After several months
I’m asked to be chairman. Affirmation.

The tasks were become familiar.
I no longer felt like a person wearing new clothes,
for the first time …
conspicuous,
stiff,
terminally self conscious.

I learned the names of their children,
wives ,
husbands –
building a database …..
….  where they had been before
and how long they’d been here.
It seemed to be working.

People were more willing
or
perhaps I was not so infuriatingly earnest.
Less like a zealous convert,
eager to share salvation.

Co-workers began to talk of topics other than work
some remained distant
but
I seem to have passed the test,
if not popular –
considered all right.
Belonging : a wonderful feeling.