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He became silent for a moment, apparently giving me an opportunity to respond. When nothing was forthcoming from me, he spoke again, but he changed his direction somewhat.

"Yes, Dr. Phelps, we have links with the military, the Pentagon, the intelligence community, and the defence industry. If we at the Bettinger Foundation are to do our job properly, then we have to have access to as much information as is humanly possible.

"Having links with such organizations, however, does not necessarily mean we are under their control or that we make decisions in accordance with their agendas. Moreover, one does not always have the luxury of choosing whom one will fight next to when the hordes are crawling up the ramparts of twilight's last gleaming."

He leaned his head back at a slight angle and rotated it a few times, as if he were trying to remove a kink from his neck or, possibly, to relax tired muscles. When he had completed the exercise, he said: "Besides, Dr. Phelps, there is one aspect of our connections with the groups in question that may or may not have occurred to you.

"The relationship between the Bettinger Foundation and these other organizations, the ones about which you are concerned, are multi-dimensional. As a result, there are degrees of freedom in our channels of communication that provide us with the opportunity to help shape and influence the policies and activities of those organizations."

He studied me for about ten seconds and shifted gears once again. "Dr. Phelps, you have three primary qualities which are very attractive to us here at the Bettinger Foundation. First, and I have alluded to this already, you have had a close encounter of the third kind with terrorism. Secondly, your background in psychology, both experimentally and clinically, constitutes a very valuable resource on which to be able to draw as needed. Thirdly, and you may be surprised by this, precisely because you were a draft-dodger, we feel you have a perspective that, very likely, contains insights, principles and values that ought to be taken into consideration in the fight against terrorism."

I smiled and said: "Are you trying to say I have a unique window onto the soul of deviance, both as a draft-dodger and as a psychologist, and, therefore, I would be able to provide...oh, shall we say, insider information on the pathological condition of terrorism?"

Dr. Jameson laughed. "As far as your professional credentials are concerned, we believe you could offer valuable insights into the pathology of terrorism. As far as your draft-dodging is concerned, no such judgements are being made. We don't necessarily consider it to be a manifestation of a pathological condition.

"Look, Dr. Phelps, a lot of people made decisions about Vietnam on the basis of deliberating about issues of morality, democratic principle, religious beliefs and human values. Some of these people went to Vietnam. Some of these people did not go to Vietnam. You fall into the latter group.

"Both groups loved their country. Both groups made tremendous sacrifices. Both groups were committed to issues of duty, freedom, conscience, human rights, justice and truth. The nature of these commitments were expressed differently in each group.

"I'm not trying to weigh these groups and say which was right or wrong. I do believe, however, that the two groups have takes on, or reads of, democracy and America that, in a strange sort of way, are complementary to one another. I think both perspectives have something important to say concerning the future of our country, especially in these troubling times, and it is in this context that I, and others at the Bettinger Foundation, find your past, if you will forgive the term, 'exploits' as a draft-dodger to be of value."

The waitress came and inquired if there would be anything else which we would like. Dr. Jameson made a sort of deferential gesture toward me with his hands and eyes, as if to say: 'it's up to you'.

"I'll have some coffee, please," I said. I raised my eyebrows, signaling him that it was his turn.

He responded with: "Make that two coffees, please, Catherine." She nodded, while clearing the plates from the table, and went away.

Dr. Jameson picked up where he had left off before the waitress had arrived. "To be perfectly honest with you, Dr. Phelps, there is another angle to your previous draft-dodger status. It helps lend credibility to our activities.

"The Bettinger Foundation wants to be known as a place where different points of view can be aired and be given a fair hearing. We believe creative solutions are generated by the synergy that arises through the dynamics of diversity."

I shaped my facial expression into one of approval and admiration. "I'm impressed with the concept," I admitted. However, in an attempt to remain non-committal, I added, in a half joking/half serious tone: "If your 'creative solutions' statement is not already in your PR package, it ought to be."

The look on Dr. Jameson's face suggested he didn't know whether to take my remark as a nice compliment or subtle criticism. I wasn't entirely sure myself.

In diplomatic fashion, he let my comment pass without seeking any clarification, apparently giving my intentions the benefit of a doubt. With very little pause, he smiled, as if to officially acknowledge my comment as a compliment, and said: "Dr. Phelps, what we have in mind is the following. The Bettinger Foundation would like to retain your services as an external consultant to our organization. This position would not require you to resign from your position at the college.

"On average, we estimate the time commitment that would be required of you would be in the range of fifteen to twenty hours per month. This probably would work out to be about one evening, or, possibly, one Saturday or Sunday afternoon, a week.

"There might be some months involving very little activity on your part in conjunction with the Bettinger Foundation. On the other hand, there might be other months entailing much more involvement on your part. If you like, we could try to arrange things so that some, or most, of the heavier commitment came during the summer months.

"In fact, Dr. Phelps," he said, "we were hoping- assuming, naturally, that your response to our proposal were positive, there might be a few Bettinger activities slated for this summer in which you would become involved. Of course, if you were to accept our offer, we don't know whether or not your schedule would permit you to join us, but the interest is there from our side of things."

Catherine came with the coffee. She put the cups down and left.

He watched her go in a way that seemed to suggest that while his eyes were registering her image, his mind was not. "If you were to join our team, we would leave it to you to select an area of interest to you. Writing, speaking, research, planning, in-house education, and consulting are just some of the possibilities. Furthermore, the manner in which you would like to contribute to your choice of activity would also be left to your discretion."

We both began fiddling with the coffee and adding things to suit our respective tastes. When we were satisfied, we took a few sips.

As he put his cup down, Dr. Jameson said: "The amount of the retainer would be in the vicinity of $55,000 and could be paid in whatever way or form was most advantageous to you as far as taxes are concerned. If you were to accept, I'm sure our accountants could come up with some creative, but completely legal, suggestions in this regard.

"Naturally, whatever traveling you did on behalf of the Foundation and any residual expenses incurred by you while performing Foundation-related duties would be covered by Bettinger. Nonetheless, like most organizations that allow for these sorts of reimbursement, our accounting department is a stickler for keeping track of receipts."

Having outlined the general financial terms and responsibilities of the proposed arrangement, he introduced a sort of escape clause for both parties. "We envision a trial period of one year. This will give us both an opportunity to determine if the arrangement will be...shall we say, a reciprocally felicitous one.

"If we both are satisfied with the relationship at the end of the year, there are a number of options open to us. One possibility would be for you to continue on as an external consultant with the Foundation. Another possibility might involve some kind of full-time relationship. The situation could be very fluid under those circumstances."

We both drank a bit more coffee. Most of the people had now left the dining area. Waiters were busy making preparations at various tables for future mealtimes.

Dr. Jameson broke our silence. "I'm sure you would like time to think about the proposal. However, I want to make one request of you.

"Before you decide, one way or the other, come to a lecture here at the Foundation next Monday afternoon. Things usually get started around 2:00 p.m.

"The program will give you a taste of some of what goes on here, and I think you will find it interesting and thought-provoking. Some of the exchanges during the question and answer session following the lecture can get quite lively. And, if you like, feel free to jump in."

I took a last mouthful of the coffee, swallowed and said: "You're quite right, I'm going to need some time to give your proposal the serious consideration it deserves. And, I believe I will accept your offer to come on Monday."

He seemed pleased with my response. We both rose from the table, and he escorted me to the front entrance.

As we shook hands, he said: "I'll leave word with security to give you clearance to come to the forum up on the second floor."

He was about to turn away when he checked himself. "Oh, yes. On Monday, please park in the underground garage. I'll leave clearance for you there as well."

I thanked him for lunch. He dismissed it with a wave of his hand, and we went our separate ways.

Over the weekend I looked after a variety of domestic duties. Shopping, laundry, and apartment- cleaning were not high on my list of desirable things to do, but they each had a way of worming their ways into one's life whether one liked them or not.

One did have the choice of spending more time on them or less time on them to suit one's 'deprivation tolerance quotient' concerning consumable supplies, wearable clothes and livable space. However, avoid them for too long, and one would begin to have direct insight into the life of the alleged missing link of evolutionary history.

While engaged in my battle to maintain an acceptable distance from primitive man, I had to leave the apartment on a number of occasions. Each time I came back, I hoped there would be some message from Beth waiting for me. On each occasion, I was disappointed.

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