support,” Omega continued politely. “A lot of it is done in the field and merely involves the use of a few graduate students and a half dozen laptops to aid in the collection of data. For the rest, CSU has all the data systems capacity and laboratory facilities I require.”
Again, shared looks of approval passed around the table.
Omega abruptly dropped the smile. The tone of his voice grew more serious as well. “To be blunt, my friends, I feel bringing my research here to Colorado State can do your school as much good as it will do me. But, now we come to the meat of it. There are, I must mention, some problems to be solved, some delicate webs needing to be strung, shall we say?” He paused, holding up a decisive finger. “There are a few, important stipulations I must insist upon in my contract.”
“Wants a star on his dressing room door, is my bet!” Curnow whispered into Juliet Marsh's ear.
She gave him a haughty look and turned away.
“First,” James Omega continued, choosing once more not to notice the herpetologist’s rudeness, “I must carry a fairly light class load. I do not want to displace anyone from the department by ‘filling their spot’, so to speak. More importantly, to me, anyway … I need time to work on my research projects in relative peace and quiet. This will mandate, on occasion, short periods of sabbatical leave.”
“No problem. Those types of things can be arranged,” Hyden spoke up quickly.
“Good. Second, and I consider this item non-negotiable....”
“Name it,” Hyden cut in without hesitation. Several committee members leaned slightly forward on their seats.
Omega said, “I want the University to provide me with ... protection.”
A questioning murmur rose and buzzed around the table. Curnow's eyes squinted.
“Protection, Dr. Omega?” asked the Department Chair.
“Protection from publicity,” Omega explained, matter of factly. “I do not want the exposure I suffered in Illinois to continue. In fact, I would prefer no announcement at all of my coming to the University for at least six months.”
“But, Dr. Omega,” Derk Long interjected, among astonished protests from the committee, "everybody here knows what a coup CSU will score in the eyes of academia by havin’ the most-esteemed advocate of the environment in our age, hop on board. What good will it do us to have you here if no one knows about it?”
“Your assessment of my worth is flattering, but not entirely true, Dr. Long. There are some who consider James Omega a fraud and a charlatan. You will find that I come with a certain amount of baggage, so to speak.
“As for my insistence on my anonymity, it will not last forever. I will certainly be found out, but I would prefer it to be later rather than sooner. Just, please, do not advertise my presence. As soon as word gets around you will be badgered to no end. But I must, even then, be let alone. You see, time is precious to me, now more than ever. More precious than you know.”
His voice trembled with earnestness. The committee looked at him strangely. This was a twist they weren’t expecting. Maybe they would begin to think twice about hiring him?
Omega smiled to himself. He wasn’t done yet. He was about to plant a little seed, a mere germ of curiosity that, if he were any judge of humankind, would supersede all objections.
He leaned forward. “Honored committee members, when I said I need protection, I meant it literally. I am on the verge of a truly mind-boggling discovery. If you think my little red-banded mongoose being resurrected from extinction was a first-class accomplishment, wait until you see my encore! Which, of course, I will credit to the name of Colorado State University. I trust the exposure you will then receive will more than compensate for any inconveniences you must endure on my account.”
He had their complete attention now. Dr. Marsh was literally holding her breath.
“If I can have some time to work on this project in privacy,” Omega went on, “I mean, without a lot of distractions, my miracle can be completed soon. Do not ask me to reveal to you what it is. You will just have to wait and be surprised like everyone else. All I can say is it will be worth the wait.
“The problem is, there are a few unscrupulous hounds out there who take delight in nipping at my heels. If they could, they would steal my research and defame me. As I told you, being a celebrity has its price. Unintentionally, I have made enemies—mean-spirited, jealous people, who envied my advances in genetics and have made it their goal in life to either upstage or discredit me. Thus far, they have not succeeded.”
He drew a long sigh. “It is necessary that I have protection from them as well as from the media. Therefore, I would ask my name not be listed on the faculty roster and would expect you, my fellow colleagues, to be extremely discreet if any questions about my whereabouts or my research are asked.”
At this point, everyone around the table was exchanging mystified expressions, including Curnow, who narrowed his eyes and actually set down his Blackberry.
Omega leaned back in his chair. “Well then, those are my conditions. Take me or leave me. But, as I am under the unyielding thumb of time, I must have my answer … today.”
For several moments, excited murmurs and head-to-head conferences began around the table. Chairman Hyden called for order and Omega amiably volunteered himself to submit to any further questions from the committee that might help them in their decision.
Frank Curnow took an undue amount of time to probe hard at the nature of Dr. Omega's secret research project and the length of time required to complete it, but Omega deftly avoided responding in specifics to his questions, indicating only that his research was in genetics, primarily with vertebrates. The most he would say was that a large carnivore was involved. A minimum of one to two years, he estimated, would be required for the results to be published.
Juliet Marsh indicated how she appreciated Omega's not wishing to displace any of the faculty, which led Dr.Groff to ask exactly what kind of a class load Omega was expecting. Perhaps he should go one or more terms without teaching if he liked?
Actually, Omega responded, he really enjoyed teaching and was looking forward to getting back into the classroom. Was not that the true purpose of science, after all, to pass the torch along? He thought he could be settled in and ready to begin a class by fall term. One class—he specified seniors—and, perhaps later, an additional graduate seminar would be about right.
Groff mentioned she was putting together a summer lecture series. Did Dr. Omega think he could be a guest speaker for one evening? Would it be an imposition?
Omega smiled and thanked her. He would be delighted, would consider it a pleasure. Just keep it small – the CSU student body only. “No TV crews,” he added with a wink.
Omega answered the remainder of their questions patiently until it seemed they had run full circle and were beating around the bush at the same issues.
At length, he said, “My dear colleagues, I sense there are still some unspoken tensions here you are too polite to address. I know my coming here is unusual. I know I have proposed some things that may seem a bit unorthodox. What can I say? I simply ask you to have faith in me. I promise you, I will not let you down.”
Frank Curnow cleared his throat. “Just one thing more,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Your name. James Omega is not your real name, is it?”
Omega smiled. “Why do you ask? Is something wrong with it?”
Curnow smirked. “No, of course not. It’s just that a name like Omega … I’ve never heard it before, except maybe in some old 1950’s science fiction movies.”
This time, Groff did manage to kick Curnow under the table.
Omega’s smile tightened. He had forgiven the doctor’s lack of manners about as many times as his patience would allow. “I assure you, Dr. Curnow. There is nothing fictional about me. I am as real