Chapter 143: The Virgin And The Masters, Part 54, Shareholder

CHARLOTTE

The barman produces a pen. A paper bag from my book purchases is commandeered. Michael jots down figures on it, ´Hmmm´s for a minute, stares into space, writes some more, then passes it over to Richard.

Richard works his way through, staring at the notes and numbers thoughtfully. Then he gazes into space for a minute, fingers twitching.

Counting on his fingers? Working a calculator in his head?

Then he scribbles more notes and annotations.

Finally, he writes a one-line sentence under the lot, glances at Michael for a second, then, against Michael´s raised eyebrow, and my Master´s barely suppressed amusement slides the bag across the table to me.

"Let´s see how your accountancy´s coming on, Charlotte. What does that lot mean?"

I scan the hieroglyphs in front of me...

I set out to study physics and learn the secrets of the universe. Then I changed to engineering, so I could learn how to build a city. Now, I´m being asked to... cost it?

"Um... Michael´s put dow