Nash suggested Arthur for the "Cobb job". They had been roommates in college, both recruited by the same well-manicured "headhunter" who thought their talents would be well-put to use in an exciting new job market. Nash studied engineering-his mind is built to build.
Arthur had been a physics student with a penchant for neuroscience. And politics. And history. "Show-off," Eames-who had never attended university-often teases.
But he isn't, really. Arthur is matter-of-fact: never understated, never exaggerated. Nash has never been able to put his finger on it-Arthur's powers of retention are practically supernatural, but he is always the height of considerate about it. Take Nash, who was never at the top of his class, although he'd been the biggest risk-taker. Arthur had been the darling of the department-of several departments-but never made Nash feel inferior.
Actually, Nash has always secretly considered Arthur his compliment. The yin to his proverbial yang. Arthur is the clean, cautious roommate who always remembers to buy milk. Nash is...well, not that. But Arthur never moves out, which makes Nash eternally grateful. Particularly on the day the sprinklers in the building malfunction, and Arthur emerges from his room wearing only a soaked white undershirt and navy boxer briefs.
When Saito's lackeys pull him from the helicopter, he has no illusions about his-now shortened-life.
He calls clinging white cotton to mind.