y-five, Henry Bambridge figured he'd seen it all and most of the
fight had gone out of him. Physically, he was the opposite of Tarbuck,
slight in build and not quite five ten but looked shorter. His
features were finely drawn, almost feminine in contrast to the dark,
craggy, nearly simian countenance of Tarbuck.

"Let's get down to it." Henry Tarbuck radiated impatience as visible
as the steam rising from newly deposited excrement on a frosty day.
For a time, the men went over the schedule of events slated for the
hearing.

"Everything seems to be in order," Jonathan suggested.

"Right, it's a go. I want to tell you, Jonathan, you've done a damn
fine job so far." Henry gestured expansively. "By advising Diana
Trenchant to attend her termination hearing without an attorney, you
saved us all a great deal of trouble."

The ombudsman acknowledged the compliment with a nod. Jonathan knew
his job was to provide just such a service to the administration. He
understood that the ombudsman's function was ostensibly created to
provide the faculty with a neutral source to handle complaints. Most
times the illusion of impartiality was well maintained, but the reality
of the position was otherwise--it was the administration's ear and eye
on the faculty.

"Just followed your suggestion," Jonathan replied, preening
self-consciously. Feeling himself in the good graces of the VP, he
continued. "What's the story here, Henry? Why is this being handled
so harshly? Her transgression is fairly innocuous and I'm surprised
it's even coming to a hearing panel. Why not slap her down or suspend
her? Hell, it would be less trouble to retire her, she's been here
nearly twenty-five years!"

Henry twitched with ill-concealed indignation for an instant then
answered calmly but with some passion, "Between you and me, Jonathan,
the bitch needs a taking down. You know how we've adjusted to federal
and state mandates that women be accepted, even encouraged to work and
matriculate here.

"All in all, it hasn't been a bad deal for us. Sure, we've had to
raise some salaries but, well, give the devil her due, most women do
seem to work hard and get a lot accomplished. They are usually fairly
easy to control. Most are scared stupid of being called a lesbian and
petrified at the thought that this accusation might be spread around
among people they know. Or, if they are married and obviously
straight, plant the suggestion that it migh