Funny, here was the thing I'd sought and fought for, and now I had it, and this was the end of the long fight, and I didn't feel triumphant at all. I didn't even feel pleased. Funny.
The chief said, "You can undoubtedly find a post suitable to a lower E.A.C. You can work your way up again. At least you'll be on productive status and have all the privileges that go with it."
"Yes," I said. "Yes, I suppose so."
"So there's really nothing to worry about now, is there?"
"No, I suppose not."
"There's just one little thing I'd like to go into before I take the steps necessary to get you on your feet again." Even his magnificent poise couldn't conceal the feather touch of slyness then.
"One little thing?" I asked.
The pain was with me again. My body wasn't flesh; it was all raw, clinging pain.
"We'll have to know who started you on your little quest. Who influenced you to try to have your name changed."