I is for Inclined Plane
An Amita Centric story filled with math and mush. This is the sequel to "W is for What Women Want."
The characters are from Cheryl Heuton and Nick Falacci.
The math problem is from Euclid in the Rain Forest by Joseph Mazur.
I leaned back in my chair, planted my Nike clad shoes on my desk and contemplated the converted broom closet that I called my office. It's cramped and crowded, but not cluttered. I know where every book, article and magazine is. It was also conveniently located in the library, which gives me access to even more resources.
I do not have a window, so I generally leave the door open for better air circulation. This also allows entrance to various noises and an odd assortment of people. None of which I really mind, except when I'm on deadline. Then the door gets shut and the "Do Not Disturb" sign had better be honored.
"Vacation is over, back to reality," I sighed.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," a familiar voice said warmly. Charlie Eppes' smiling face appeared around the door.
"How was your trip to Chennai?" he asked, brown eyes sparkling.
"Marvelous," I enthused. "Even better than the first trip." I brushed my hair from my eyes. "I got to know my cousins better, see more of the sights." I grinned. "Do more shopping."
Charlie stepped farther into the room, stopping half-way in, apparently in an effort to avoid a stack of lecture notes that I had been meaning to scan into my laptop.
"That sounds like a strenuous schedule," he said. "Tired?"
"I am, a bit," I admitted. "Even though I spent the weekend relaxing." I studied him curiously as he leaned against my door. "You should go to Chennai," I said. "You'd probably like it, especially Elliot's Beach and the Indian Institute of Technology."
"That sounds like fun," Charlie said with a hopeful look. "Are you asking me to go with you?" He eased all the way into the office and I could see that he was holding a vase filled with colorful flowers.
I beamed and sat up, taking my feet off my desk and making room for the zinnias. "How lovely, thank you, Charlie!"
"You're welcome," he said. "From my own backyard."
"Cool," I said appreciatively. "I would love for you came to India with me. My cousins would love to meet you. I've told them so much about you."
Charlie gave me a mock horrified look. "How could you?" he asked. He put the back of his hand to his forehead as if he were having an attack of the vapors.
I tried to give him a stern look. "Somebody has to tell the truth, Professor Eppes," I scolded. Well, I tried to. I kept spoiling the effect by smiling.
Charlie set the vase on the desk and gave me a shy smile. "You're welcome for the bouquet," he said.
I stood up and leaned forward to smell the flowers. "They're beautiful."
Charlie fidgeted a little. "Um, you want to have lunch with me? Tell me all about your trip?"
"You mean, a date?" I asked, just to be sure. It's absurd, I know. After our discussion by the koi pond, we both knew where the other stood. However, we were still having problems in putting the pieces together.
"We're not going to try that 'no talking about work' bit again, are we?" I asked with a touch of apprehension.
Charlie held his hands up. "Only if we define more specific limitations of 'work,'" he said. "Considering how math permeates everything…"
"Especially our brains," I said, nodding to myself. An errant memory made me smile.
"What?" Charlie asked.
"Oh, I just thought of my cousins, Jeevitha and Kanru. They weren't very impressed with my doctorate in combinatorics."
Charlie straightened up, a familiar look of indignation crossing his features.
I held up my hand to forestall Charlie's protest. "Oh, they agreed that math was very useful, but they thought that the level I'd studied it at was all theory and no application."
We heard voices in the hall just then, and I flipped open my PDA. "I've got a tutoring session now," I said apologetically.
"Oh. Right." Charlie tapped his palms together. "Um. I'll see you at… what time is good?"
I consulted my PDA again. "Does 12:30 work for you?" I asked.
Charlie nodded. "Sure, I'll swing by to pick you up then. Where to? Radhika's?"
I laughed and held up my hands. "Actually, I think I've had enough of Indian cooking for now."
"Got enough of that in Chennai?" Charlie asked slyly. "Food any good?"
"Yes, if you like curry," I said. "Sangeetha Restaurant is my favorite."
"Food especially good?"
I nodded. "Not to mention its divine location… right between Krishna Sweets and the Odyssey Book Store."
Charlie laughed. "I'm surprised you went any where else."
I laughed. "I went lots of places," I said. "In fact, I have a very Fleinhardtian story to tell you." I did a mental review of what restaurants were within walking distance, so we wouldn't have to struggle with parking when we got back to CalSci. "How about Green Street?" I suggested.
"Sounds perfect. See you at 12:30."
I bet myself that Charlie would be late.
