In the Wrong Space and Time

VIII

DATE: 28TH DECEMBER 2018
FROM: jennifer_rosalind_montgomery@gmail.com
Subject: Request for Dr. Campbell to be Guest Speaker at Brunel University
To: carolinemoiracampbell@gmail.com

Dear Dr. Campbell,

As you may be aware, the Engineering Department at Brunel University is constantly on the search for influential engineers that could be contacted and liasoned with, so as to provide the students in the engineering courses with opportunities to meet key figures of the industry.

Since we are currently - and unfortunately - in the middle of wartime, the Engineering Department has come to a decision regarding whom our next guest speaker will be. It is unspoken common knowledge among every engineering student, that fresh graduates during this period of peril will have to put their newly-learned skills to help with the war effort instead of going into the proper workforce.

Therefore, we would be greatly honoured if our nation's Chief Defence Engineer could come to Brunel University at around the start of the school term to educate the young minds around us, so that they can put their knowledge to good future use in the army.

Please let me know if you are able to come down to Brunel to give our students a talk. Thank you for taking the time to read my email. I look forward to a favourable response.

Yours sincerely,
Professor Jennifer Montgomery

_____

Date: 28th December 2018
From: carolinemoiracampbell@gmail.com
Subject: Reply to: Request for Dr. Campbell to be Guest Speaker at Brunel University
To: jennifer_rosalind_montgomery@gmail.com

Dear Professor Montgomery,

It would be my pleasure to do so. Would the 5th of February be a convenient time for me to come?

Although, I have one condition: my time is extremely limited, and instead of hosting a two-hour session, as one would normally do, I would like to request for my session to be split up over two days, lasting for an hour each day.

Also, do remember that some of my work is classified and top secret, and as a result, I am legally bound when it comes to sharing about the nature of some projects that I undertake. I hope that you would understand, and be comforted by the fact that all of your students will still get a chance to learn about their future career prospects in the field of engineering.

Until the 5th and 6th of February.

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Caroline Campbell

_____

4th February, 2019

"I have an announcement to make, class!" Prof. Montgomery's voice rings across the lecture hall, calling attention to herself almost effortlessly. We stop packing up our materials to listen to her.

"As you know, students, we're studying in the middle of a war. You may be aware of the fact that once you graduate, you will have to join the army to help in the war effort," the professor's tone is grave.

"As a result, we've managed to convince Dr. Caroline Campbell, the Chief Defence Engineer of England, to come and give us a talk on how she and her team of elite engineers help to defend the country. Since it is wartime, do realise that she has limited time to spend with us, and so she will be splitting her lecture session up into one hour on two days - tomorrow and the day after. This is a rare opportunity, and I hope you all will be on your best behaviour. Please come prepared tomorrow with questions for her, and learn as much as you can! Class dismissed!" Prof. Montgomery effortlessly says in one breath.