The Tenant and The Motive Read Online Free PDF Page B

barely possible to exaggerate the significance that the presence of someone at the forefront of linguistic investigation and with such an enviable CV might have for the department. But, as well as improving the department’s prestige, I am convinced that Berkowickz will be an invaluable stimulus for us all, even those who publish an article every five years in a third-rate journal.’
    Since he’d seen the allusion coming, Mario was able to take it without batting an eye. He just pushed his glasses up his nose with one finger, and, as he noticed his right arm beginning to get faint pins and needles, he eased it off the brace of the crutch. When he heard Scanlan’s voice again he wondered if he might have stopped listening as he changed position.
    â€˜At last we have him here.’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜I don’t understand.’
    â€˜What do we have here?’ asked Mario, glancing over his shoulder.
    â€˜Professor Berkowickz, of course,’ Scanlan explained kindly, without apparently registering Mario’s momentary lapse. He went on, ‘To do so we had to make him an offer that I wouldn’t hesitate to describe as attractive. Once again I’ll spare you the superfluous details andsummarize; among other things we’ve guaranteed him a minimum of three courses per semester. You’ll understand that this affects you directly: your situation is going to have to change, but I’m convinced you’ll be able to accept the sacrifice for the good of the department.’
    â€˜No, I won’t,’ Mario heard himself say. ‘Cut it short.’
    Scanlan looked annoyed. He explained, ‘At the moment, we’re only able to offer you one course per semester. This means your salary will be reduced to a third of what you were earning. You’ll also have to keep in mind that taxes have gone up: we’ll all be feeling that. On the other hand, we mustn’t rule out the possibility that, student numbers permitting, we could at some point (not, of course, this semester) open a new course; naturally, that class would be yours. Moreover you could always apply for one of the research grants the university offers, or even one of the administrative posts from the rector’s office, although I fear they’re all taken for the time being. And it goes without saying that you can count on the department’s support and, if need be, on my own.
    Mario didn’t listen to the last sentence of Scanlan’s speech. He blinked. He tried to put his ideas in order. Affecting a false self-assurance, he began, ‘Look, Scanlan, in my contract it states that the department –’
    â€˜Mario,’ Scanlan gently checked him, ‘don’t make things any more difficult. I expect you realize you’re in no position to demand anything: if we’ve been able to offer you three courses up till now it’s because we had them. Things have changed now. As for your contract,don’t force me to tell you it’s not worth the paper it’s written on: it was hard enough keeping you here with all the pressure I’ve been getting. Rest assured you can be thankful not to have found your contract rescinded when you returned from your vacation.’
    Mario blinked again. He mumbled something Scanlan didn’t hear, or pretended not to hear.
    â€˜I suppose I don’t need to tell you either that any legal action would be counterproductive,’ added Scanlan. ‘You’d find yourself out of a job before you knew what hit you.’
    â€˜Sons of bitches,’ Mario murmured in Italian.
    â€˜What did you say?’ asked Scanlan.
    Mario erased the comment with a gesture. Scanlan sighed.
    â€˜Anyhow,’ he said, ‘it’s a matter of tightening your belt for a while. I’m sure that by spring at the latest, if not after the elections, things will change.’
    Mario stood up to leave. Perplexed, he noted that he didn’t