t
ever tried to help us custodians get a fair shake. When you were head
of the Staff Association, you made those guys in administration treat
us decent."

The six witnesses and Trenchant spread themselves out comfortably on
the plush sofas and soft rug as individual preference dictated. Good
feelings washed over them, mixed with pride and determination. It was
as if their cause, their righteous quest, had been anointed by a high
priestess.

"It's nice to have friends in high places," commented Andrea, looking
around appreciatively. They were in a large, rectangular room
outfitted as a lounge. At the front facing the entrance hall, the
walls gave way to glass, so it was something like being in a fish bowl.
Someone suggested shutting the curtains but Helen objected.

"No, don't. I want to watch for them to come in. I'm going to take
their pictures."

There was general laughter at this and Andrea slapped her on the back,
"go gittum, Helen."

Roz advised the other witnesses not to be intimidated by the panel.
"Hey, I've known most of them for years and they are no better than we
are." She had held a full time job at Belmont for nearly two years.
Roz had been around and was no spring chicken so the group nodded and
took comfort from her.

She, like some of the other witnesses, was also taking courses in the
nursing school. One of these courses was taught by Diana Trenchant.

"Look, here they come now," Helen yelled as a group of men came into
the hall through the open front door. She grabbed her camera and shot
out of the room.

One of the men broke from the group and came into the witness room
saying loudly, "Who are you and what are you doing in here? This room
is reserved."

"We were told this was a witness room and we are witnesses," said Roz,
flatly. "Who are you?"

Glaring at Roz and throwing his entire body into an intimidating pose,
the man said angrily, "I am the Academic Vice President, Henry Tarbuck,
and I reserved this room for the university witnesses."

"That's OK then," said Roz cheerfully and completely unimpressed. "We
are university witnesses."

Diana stepped forward. "Is there a problem?"

"Oh, it's you. You were supposed to go to a room upstairs."

"We asked and we were directed here," interjected Roz. Smiling up at
Henry innocently, she continued in a child's sing-song voice, "finders,
keepers."

"Well. We'll see about that," was the disgruntled, graceless retort.