et al

"I'll bet you're the one who never did anything in group projects."

Galea hated to scoff, and sip her coffee. It was petty. It was unprofessional. It was immature.

But who else did that describe...?

"On the contrary, Galea. I was the one who did everyone else's dirty work. I've done my time."

And to speak of "group projects" - how anodyne, how baccalaureate! How immature.

"Then you were fast-tracked because no one else wanted to deal with you."

Far too many distant supervisors. Far too few close colleagues.

"I am not concerned with being wanted, Galea."

"Good." Last dregs. "Klaus."