The Greatest Lie Part 4

"You mean you want to get their survey data by offering legal and social services."

"Yeah, but I’m not talking condom giveaways or needle exchanges. I’m talking about processing anti discrimination complaints. Get enough of them, and who knows, the cops may clean up their act."

"And you’ll get your data, and your A’".

"So what’s wrong with doing well by doing good."

"Allie, you’re a genius," he said, taking a seat at his computer workstation. For the next two hours, we talked, and he typed my ideas into a neat summary for the Alliance Board and Finch, including budget and a list of resources needed for the project.

At the top of the list was a studio apartment with phone near Hennepin. I would need a safe place near their turf to conduct interviews. Safety, that is, for them and for me. There was a board meeting of the Alliance in a week. Jon promised to put it on the agenda and push for it if I delivered Finch’s blessing. "No problem," I said, as a walked off to Finch’s office, appearing, at the moment, to be the best looking girl on campus.

I let myself in and waited. Finch arrived a few minutes later. He was startled. "What is the meaning of this, young lady?"

"I’m here for our meeting."

"I had no such meeting scheduled with you."

"But I had one scheduled with you."

"You must leave now, I have another appointment scheduled."

"But Professor Finch, it’s me, it’s Alex." Finch stumbled back, dumbfounded. "Alex Rios?" he said weakly.

"Yes, but you can call me Allie or Alexandra."

"Please sit down," he said, closing the door and taking a seat opposite me.

He sat down unsteadily. "Alex, er, Allie, you gave me such a fright. Some of my research and writing is controversial with the feminists and the born-again communities, and I don’t like surprise visits."