Page 18 of The Scientist
“Sure,” Peter said quickly.
Stuart folded his arms across his chest. “I don’t know,” he said, pretending to be mulling it over.
“What’s the problem?” I asked.
“I’m not sure I should give you guys the unbelievable pleasure of my company after the treatment I’ve had to endure here today.”
“I wouldn’t play hard to get when I can tell you’re more hard to get rid of,” Sarah said impatiently. “Now drop the Pepé Le Pew act and come have lunch with us.”
She didn’t wait for his response as she marched into the cafeteria ahead of us. I heard Stuart mutter, “Fine!” under his breath as he followed behind her.
A smile stretched across Peter’s face as he turned to me. “I’d like to thank you both for this.” He placed his hand over his heart. “Putting Stuart in his place is not a service many provide, but one I’ll gladly pay for.”
I shook my head, chuckling. “No need. Our services are complimentary.”
We walked in behind the bustling crowd of students, making our way toward the serving station. I braved the chef’s special of the day, chicken marsala, which looked pretty decent, before joining the others at the table.
I took a seat next to Sarah. “So, where’s Lex?”
“Still working,” Stuart answered.
“Does he not eat lunch?”
“Actually, I think the boss man just periodically shuts down until we have time to put a little oil in him and get him plugged into a socket to recharge,” Peter answered, looking more relaxed now.
“Workaholic?” I inferred.
“That’s an understatement. He never stops.”
“Sounds like a tough person to work for.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Peter said thoughtfully.
“No?”
“There’s a reason we follow him all over the country.”
Besides being crazy smart, I wondered what else there was.
“His outgoing personality?” I teased.
“Not exactly,” he said, smiling. “He’s dedicated to his work but when you’re that gifted, it’s hard to shut your brain off. He works harder than anyone I’ve ever known, but it’s more inspiring than it is frustrating.”
I considered what he said and thought that was actually a nice sentiment. I would love to feel inspired by my superiors rather than creeped out.
“It’s all about helping the world to be a better place. He really does want to make a difference.”
“Yeah, well from what we’ve heard, you guys are saving the world and getting a huge budget to do it,” Sarah said. “Meanwhile, I have to go ten levels up the chain of command to get a new eraser, and I’m pretty sure my piano’s from 1985.”
“So, you guys both work in the music department?” Pete asked.
“Composition,” I answered.
“Musicology,” Sarah said.
Peter had a woeful look. “Damn, my mom was right. I should have stuck with those clarinet lessons.”
“Yeah, the music department’s hogging all the good-looking women,” Stuart said. “All we’ve got are AARP members and that chick that says “knock, knock” before entering every room.”