Member-only story
The Authentic Eclectic
The Tea Masters (4)
Part 1:
Professor Satou stared at Gabriel for a long time after he finished speaking, then sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Mr. Grant, I admire and damn your honesty.”
As one of those unfortunate souls for whom total failure is rare, Gabriel found it difficult to meet the esteemed professor’s eyes. He found it difficult, indeed, to exist whatsoever.
“I feel that I owe you an explanation for what I must convey,” Satou continued. “You see, a graduate was recently let go for exposure of the pouring process. An elderly gentleman for whom he was preparing tea, and whom he thought was asleep, witnessed it. And you — ” Satou shook his head. “In a crowded subway. Possibly recorded.
“Now, there were other considerations. He had been sloppy in the past. It was not his first misstep. Nevertheless, exposure is so unusual that we gave it as the chief cause.
“I hope that you understand why, despite your exceptional abilities and good character, we have no choice — I have no choice — but to let you go…
