Queen

On that very evening after our third year examination, the male version of Marie Antoinette came and visit all clergy of the First Estate.

I would cite a few fragments of our conversation for your interest.

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"You know, we are desperately in need of more postgraduate students." One of the priests said.

"I agree the assignment is not entirely fair at the moment. Some other faculties get a lot more research students to do the work." His Highness replied.

"And that could not be changed ?" Another clergy asked.

"Well, it's not engraved on a stone ... but we could not change it over night ..." the queen continued.

"So ... ?"

"So I would not expect any substantial change before I retire."

I looked carefully at him, from head to toe. There would probably be fifteen years before he claims his pension.

But the discussion continued.

"We are really short of space. There is even difficulty for our new research assistant to find a place to sit !" another senior nun said.

"In fact there is ample of space - but that may not be the place you want. For example, we have lot of office space up on the hill in the main campus ..."

We all looked at each other.

"And again we should look north," Queen Marie continued, "There will be a new campus north to the SZ river a few years later."

"Do you mean we could move some of the research there ?"

"Of course, of course ... provided that your research is related to arts or social science or engineering or a handful of other dedicated topics."

PS. It has been a long time I have not meet a senior official who would attend a meeting with his personal secretary that takes notes by traditional shorthand; our queen brought with him one. It was almost impossible for me to resist the temptation to advise that young lady to put down the phrase for summarizing what His Highness said:

何不食肉糜 ?