because I couldn't do the boards."

"Absolutely. I remember coming back from spending Thanksgiving at home
and you were soaking your wrist which was all swollen up and remember,
you wore that brace and couldn't write and...."

"I remember the wrist brace," cried Jennifer. "You had me write things
on the board for you at my lab because you couldn't."

"Me too," chimed in Roz.

"James, Jennifer, Roz, will you tell that to the panel in addition to
what you already plan to testify to?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Betcherass!"

"That will really give this charge against you the deep six along with
Sarah's testimony," Roz said excitedly as the whole bunch of happy
people left their food and joined each other in a wild victory dance.
Premature for sure, but the powerless and the innocent naively take
their joy where they can find it.

When the hearing commenced again, the panel appeared subdued, and
listlessly turned over pages of notes as Henry told Diana to call her
next witness and cautioned her that, "they should be addressing the
specific charge here."

"Just a moment," Jane demanded. "Before we have the next witness, I'd
like to ask you a question, Diana. You said earlier that you were not
free to call witnesses from your department. Why?"

Trenchant, who was on her way to the door to get her next witness,
paused and said, "They asked me not to. They felt it would be
impossible for them to testify since they most probably would
contradict their chairman."

"You are saying they are afraid to testify?"

"That's correct. Just like you saw Jean was. Her knowledge and belief
in me was the only thing that made it possible for her to overcome her
fear of losing her position.

"It is much worse for people in my department and for that matter for
medical students who have not been allowed to testify. Things can be
made very difficult for them."

Esther pursued, "Are you stating that Lyle has discussed this case with
the department?"

"Oh, yes. Very definitely. After he accused me, he went in to Ann
Biggot's office and told her. My job was offered to two people in the
department around the same time. Lyle has told others besides me that
this hearing is only a formality. Remember, he's the one that decides
the raises."

"What sort of thing could people in your department testify about?"

"They could substantiate what I have said about the negligent, careless
way the evaluation process is carried out