Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 1:55 am
Dr. O'Shay stood there for a few moments before coming up with a response.
O: I'd like a recount on the vote, if you don't mind Dr. Becker. Specifically, I'd like to know the exact count for each of us.
Dr. Tenma's face took on a look of disbelief.
T: Surely you aren't accusing anyone of manipulating the vote, Dr. O'Shay.
O: Not at all, Dr. Tenma. I have my reasons for asking.
Dr. Becker picked up the tally sheet he had been using.
B: Dr. O'Shay's request is within reason. The vote count was close. It was eight votes for Dr. O'Shay, and nine for Dr. Tenma. I hope that satisfies you Dr. O'Shay.
O: Thank you Dr. Becker, it does. It seems, however that there is one vote missing.
B: How do you figure that?
O: I believe that Dr. Pavillion might have left his wishes known in this matter. The two of you were communicating via email about the time that Dr. Tenma was being interviewed for the position here, and I'm sure that Dr. Pavillion had made his intentions clear, since he was planning on retiring.
B: Yes, that's true. In fact, Dr. Pavillion did leave a sealed correspondence in my mailbox, which I never got around to open after his death.
O: I think you ought to do that now.
Dr. Becker left the room and headed for his office to retrieve the envelope.
T: What kind of trick are you trying to pull here, O'Shay?
O: No trick Umataro. I'm just respecting the wishes of the deceased.
Dr. Becker returned to the conference room with a look on his face of a man who had just seen a ghost.
B: It seems that things have suddenly become rather tricky. Let me read you what Dr. Pavillion wrote:
“Dear Dr. Becker: As you know I've decided to retire from the position of director and that will require a vote of the board to elect a someone to take my place. What you don't know, is why I've suddenly made this decision. My health has been failing me for some time and I've done my best to keep that a secret from the board. I now fear I have very little time left, and that's why I've started to look for a suitable replacement for myself, I don't want any infighting among the members of the board. Up until a few days ago I was convinced I'd found my replacement in Dr. Umataro Tenma, and I know I mentioned that to you many times. However, very recently new facts have been brought to light for me, and I have decided that I would cast my vote for Dr. O'Shay to take my place. I will call for a vote in two days, and I'm leaving this communication in your hands to be opened if I cannot be present for that vote.”
B: Dr. Pavillion died the day before he would have called for that vote.
T: So it seems that we now have a tie vote, if Dr. Pavillion's letter actually serves as his ballot.
B: In fact, it does. However we do not have a tie vote. The rules governing the election for director state that in the event of a tie, the vote of the current director counts twice.
T: But Dr. Pavillion wasn't the director at the time of the vote. He's a corpse!
B: Not true. If he left a directive before his death, it is as effective as if he were at the vote. I'm afraid that Dr. O'Shay has won the election.
Dr. Tenma stormed out of the room and slammed the door loudly behind him.
O: I'd like a recount on the vote, if you don't mind Dr. Becker. Specifically, I'd like to know the exact count for each of us.
Dr. Tenma's face took on a look of disbelief.
T: Surely you aren't accusing anyone of manipulating the vote, Dr. O'Shay.
O: Not at all, Dr. Tenma. I have my reasons for asking.
Dr. Becker picked up the tally sheet he had been using.
B: Dr. O'Shay's request is within reason. The vote count was close. It was eight votes for Dr. O'Shay, and nine for Dr. Tenma. I hope that satisfies you Dr. O'Shay.
O: Thank you Dr. Becker, it does. It seems, however that there is one vote missing.
B: How do you figure that?
O: I believe that Dr. Pavillion might have left his wishes known in this matter. The two of you were communicating via email about the time that Dr. Tenma was being interviewed for the position here, and I'm sure that Dr. Pavillion had made his intentions clear, since he was planning on retiring.
B: Yes, that's true. In fact, Dr. Pavillion did leave a sealed correspondence in my mailbox, which I never got around to open after his death.
O: I think you ought to do that now.
Dr. Becker left the room and headed for his office to retrieve the envelope.
T: What kind of trick are you trying to pull here, O'Shay?
O: No trick Umataro. I'm just respecting the wishes of the deceased.
Dr. Becker returned to the conference room with a look on his face of a man who had just seen a ghost.
B: It seems that things have suddenly become rather tricky. Let me read you what Dr. Pavillion wrote:
“Dear Dr. Becker: As you know I've decided to retire from the position of director and that will require a vote of the board to elect a someone to take my place. What you don't know, is why I've suddenly made this decision. My health has been failing me for some time and I've done my best to keep that a secret from the board. I now fear I have very little time left, and that's why I've started to look for a suitable replacement for myself, I don't want any infighting among the members of the board. Up until a few days ago I was convinced I'd found my replacement in Dr. Umataro Tenma, and I know I mentioned that to you many times. However, very recently new facts have been brought to light for me, and I have decided that I would cast my vote for Dr. O'Shay to take my place. I will call for a vote in two days, and I'm leaving this communication in your hands to be opened if I cannot be present for that vote.”
B: Dr. Pavillion died the day before he would have called for that vote.
T: So it seems that we now have a tie vote, if Dr. Pavillion's letter actually serves as his ballot.
B: In fact, it does. However we do not have a tie vote. The rules governing the election for director state that in the event of a tie, the vote of the current director counts twice.
T: But Dr. Pavillion wasn't the director at the time of the vote. He's a corpse!
B: Not true. If he left a directive before his death, it is as effective as if he were at the vote. I'm afraid that Dr. O'Shay has won the election.
Dr. Tenma stormed out of the room and slammed the door loudly behind him.