The curtain lifts. Act I, Scene I. The calendar on the wall shows February 2007. Iain Morrison's office.

Iain was the Head of School at Bond University and I finally got an opportunity to break my news:

• "... but, Iain, but I cannot see much future here. And I am too young to retire at an Australian university. I definitely want to return to civilization."

Iain Morrison looked completely surprised. Understandably, because I had invested a lot of time in the months before to help him to get his Innovation Center on its feet. But it became clear to me that Bond University was not mentally equipped for the I-word. Their business model was, is and will be feeeeeeeeh-paying students. Everything else was a distraction from the ripoff-as-usual.

I asked Iain to take the necessary steps.

A week later we had another meeting.

"Ok, Robert you can leave, but Bond will not pay you anything!"

I pressed my lips and I tilted my head to signal that this was not even a nice try.

Iain Morrison was not completely surprised. Understandably. He was not dealing with an australian academic.

"But I can offer you AUD 30.000 if we can arrange a deal. We do not want you to leave without anything."

Time to play my trump card.

• "That's strange, because according to Chris Andrews I would be entitled to a considerable payout."

I shovelled the numbers into his face the Human Resource director had given me.

Iain Morrison looked completely surprised. Understandably, because the HR director obviously had not told him about the 2005 advice of entitlements. And he had talked to him just before. So he said.

Iain was obviously irritated and studied the numbers for a while. They included AUD 45.000, plus a payout for the accrued annual leave, plus pro-rata entitlements of a long-service leave.

"Hmmm. Can I have a copy? I will figure out something."

• "Of course I will give you a copy. If possible I would like to leave in May for Ireland?"

"No problem."

So the white-haired man said.

Robert exits. Lights out. Curtain.

[ to be continued ]