Team Player Essay -- Short Story Track Running Essays

Team Player It is a cold, wet October morning in Slippery Rock, PA. The school bus carrying 50 sleeping high schoolers pulls into a gravel parking lot, joining a crowd of buses and vans already lining the edge of a vast grassy field. A never-ending white line is painted on the short-clipped grass marking a trail. It follows the outside of the expanse, along the parking lot, beside the road, up and down the hills and valleys, and through small patches of trees and brush at the far end of the field. Football goalposts crown the crest of a hill in the distance and white wooden posts guard the insides of the curves of the white line. As the bus driver turns off the motor, the girls begin to stir and sit upright in their seats. They wipe the beads of condensation from the inside of the windows and look outside, absorbing this beautiful scenery. A few begin to talk to the person sitting next to them. Others stretch and let out loud groans. This is the morning they have been preparin g for since the summer months: this morning, this very group of girls will try to prove themselves as the highest-ranking, fastest-running cross country team in western Pennsylvania. Soon, this calm field will be overtaken by swarms of coaches, runners, parents, and officials. As the morning moves on, more and more people gather around the tents that have popped up between areas of the course. After about two hours of preparation, the teams start gathering near the starting line for the first race. First to run are the boys’ junior varsity teams, followed forty minutes later by boys’ varsity. And then it’s my turn. Coach LeDonne gathers all of the girls on the JV team around him in front of our duck-y... ... that I gave as much to the team today as any other girl walking in those doors with me. And at that moment I realize that I contributed an equal amount to the victory as the first runner or the fourth runner, or the last runner on my team. Perhaps running is my secondary duty for the team. Maybe it is equally important that I helped Amy push up that hill in her race as it is important that I finished my own race with an average personal time in mine. Even though the team as a whole may value speed over every other quality, I realize that it isn’t necessarily the most important for every runner. The team could never run well without a steady support, a push from behind to run up the steepest hill. I was never meant to be the fastest runner on the team. But I could still have that same importance by being a proud, supportive member of the team.

Essay on Race in Invisible Man and Black Boy -- Invisible Man Essays

The Question of Race in Invisible Man and Black Boy      Ã‚   In the early twentieth century black American writers started employing modernist ways of argumentation to come up with possible answers to the race question. Two of the most outstanding figures of them on both, the literary and the political level, were Richard Wright, the "most important voice in black American literature for the first half of the twentieth century" (Norton, 548) and his contemporary Ralph Ellison, "one of the most footnoted writers in American literary history" (Norton, 700). In this paper I want to compare Wright's autobiography "Black Boy" with Ellison's novel "Invisible Man" and, in doing so, assess the effectiveness of their conclusions.    Both books have many striking parallels. Each tells the story of a young and intelligent picaresque character who goes through a painful odyssey of racism and prejudice during which he intellectually matures. Disappointed by institutions like family, church and political parties, mainly because they try to deprive them of their individuality by instrumentalizing and categorizing them, both protagonists grow more and more disillusioned. At the peak of their cynicism they eventually reject the American society as a whole. They now have only two logically consistent ways out of their dilemma: Flight or fight.    Ellison's protagonist chooses to take the first way. He believes that he can now finally see how society really works and he finds that in it he plays the role of an "invisible man". His invisibility is due to the fact that the other people are blind for the characteristics that distinguish him as an individual human being and instead apply to him the same stereotypes they associate with A... ...llison ends. His protagonist does not have to look for the individualism that the invisible man is always struggling for because he seems to have been born with it. Therefore his efforts are much more focused and constructive.    In conclusion I can say that I understand Ellison's point of view on the emotional level but that I have to give Wright right on the political level.    Works Cited: Berry, W. Abner. "Ralph Ellison's Novel 'Invisible Man' Show Snobbery, Contempt for Negro People." The Daily Worker: 8 Nov. 1999 <http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/berry-on-ellison.html>. Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. 2nd ed. New York: Vintage International, 1995. W. L. Andrews et al., ed. The Literature of the American South: A Norton Anthology. New York: Norton, 1998. 58 Wright, Richard. Black Boy. New York: Harperpennial, 1993. Essay on Race in Invisible Man and Black Boy -- Invisible Man Essays The Question of Race in Invisible Man and Black Boy      Ã‚   In the early twentieth century black American writers started employing modernist ways of argumentation to come up with possible answers to the race question. Two of the most outstanding figures of them on both, the literary and the political level, were Richard Wright, the "most important voice in black American literature for the first half of the twentieth century" (Norton, 548) and his contemporary Ralph Ellison, "one of the most footnoted writers in American literary history" (Norton, 700). In this paper I want to compare Wright's autobiography "Black Boy" with Ellison's novel "Invisible Man" and, in doing so, assess the effectiveness of their conclusions.    Both books have many striking parallels. Each tells the story of a young and intelligent picaresque character who goes through a painful odyssey of racism and prejudice during which he intellectually matures. Disappointed by institutions like family, church and political parties, mainly because they try to deprive them of their individuality by instrumentalizing and categorizing them, both protagonists grow more and more disillusioned. At the peak of their cynicism they eventually reject the American society as a whole. They now have only two logically consistent ways out of their dilemma: Flight or fight.    Ellison's protagonist chooses to take the first way. He believes that he can now finally see how society really works and he finds that in it he plays the role of an "invisible man". His invisibility is due to the fact that the other people are blind for the characteristics that distinguish him as an individual human being and instead apply to him the same stereotypes they associate with A... ...llison ends. His protagonist does not have to look for the individualism that the invisible man is always struggling for because he seems to have been born with it. Therefore his efforts are much more focused and constructive.    In conclusion I can say that I understand Ellison's point of view on the emotional level but that I have to give Wright right on the political level.    Works Cited: Berry, W. Abner. "Ralph Ellison's Novel 'Invisible Man' Show Snobbery, Contempt for Negro People." The Daily Worker: 8 Nov. 1999 <http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/berry-on-ellison.html>. Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. 2nd ed. New York: Vintage International, 1995. W. L. Andrews et al., ed. The Literature of the American South: A Norton Anthology. New York: Norton, 1998. 58 Wright, Richard. Black Boy. New York: Harperpennial, 1993.

Abington Hill Toys

ABINGTON-HILL TOYS, INC. 1. INTRODUCTION Abington-Hill Toys’ new president, Vernon Albright, hires a new company comptroller, David Hartly. Hartly’s first task was to complete an analysis of the firm’s condition and generate financial planning for the company. 2. METHODOLOGY A. Current ratio B. Acid-test ratio C. Inventory Turnover Ratio D. Debt-Equity ratio E. Gross Margin F. Net Profit Margin G. Z Score 3. SOLUTION A. 280,000/290,000=. 97 B. 130,000/290,000=. 45 C. 900,000/150,000=6 D. 490,000/710,000=. 69 E. 300,000/1,200,000=. 25 F. 60,480/1,200,000=. 05 G. 1. (-10,000/1,200,000)+1. 4(60,480/1,200,000)+3. 3(126,000/1,200,000)+ 1. 05(1,200,000/1,200,000)=1. 46 4. CONCLUSION The current ratio of . 97 means for every $. 97 of current assets, Abington Hill Toys has $1 of current liabilities. Since the current ratio is less than the standard of 3. 5, Abington Hill Toys implies a high risk and a probable incapability to generate sufficient working capital to meet i ts short-term needs. The acid-test ratio of . 45 is less than half of its current ratio which means Abington Hill Toys’ inventory comprises of more than half of its current assets.The inventory turnover ratio of 6 is higher than 5 which is the standard for companies in this industry. Since this ratio is higher than average, Abington Hill Toys is showing strong sales. The higher than standard inventory ratio could also mean ineffective buying of inventory. The debt-equity ratio of . 69 means Abington Hill Toys has $. 69 of debt to every dollar of equity. This would put them in at a lower risk to enhance financial leverage. The gross margin is at 25%. This means Abington Hill Toys is only profiting 25% above their direct costs. This is equivalent to the standard of other companies in this industry.The net profit margin of 5% is less than the standard of 8%. Abington Hill Toys’ net profit margin means equity holders will only receive 5% from every dollar after all expense s, interest, and taxes are paid. The low Z score of 1. 46 would sway me to not lend the money. By Altman’s scale, Abington Hill Toys has a 95% chance of going into bankruptcy in 12 months. Along with the high probability of going into bankruptcy within 12 months, the net profit margin of 5% doesn’t seem worthwhile. I would rather invest in something safer for that low of a return.

Surrealism

Surrealism Surrealism started as a revolt against the intellect of Cubism, Formalist art, Art for Arts sake (Dada) and abstraction. It is an attitude to life and society rather than a style of art. It was a painting style that trapped the dream into physical existence. Individualism and isolation was a core value of the movement. They investigated the mind for artistic inspiration.Origins of Surrealism: Andre Breton: Was dissatisfied with DADA Wanted a more organized and realistic He explored automatic righting and discussed the irrational and the accidental Hough process in painting He published a manifesto in 1924 (statement of ideas about the movement) Was based on Freud the idea of the conscious mind struggling against the irrational and the unconscious Implemented the idea that the individual is free to express their personal desires Definition of Surrealism: Thought is expressed with the absence of reason, aesthetic (visual), moral concerns.Surrealism emphasizes words more than the image and was dominated by the written works and ideas. The influence of Sigmund Freud: Worked with Psychoanalysis, and how hypnosis allows an individual to remember motional experiences that have been forgotten. The importance of memories and experiences in the subconscious is core to Surrealism Hypnosis liberates the imagination Through the dream, reality is solved.Political situation of the time: Breton was a communist The surrealists were anarchists like the Dadaists of WWW Surrealist thought that non-government was better(irrational vs. the rational) Russian revolution Tribal art Dada : chance, irrational, illogical Art of children and the mentally ill Freud and Jung (importance of dreams and the symbols used to understand dreams) Sub Themes:The human condition: Surrealism deals with the subconscious, dreams and irrational thought Influence of technology- Meaning in media: Surrealism involves symbolism, meaning through the use of paint Reflection of society: comment on ant i war etc Two Schools of Surrealism Bibliographic Surrealism Ray, Dali,Yves, Migrate Detailed Automatic Organic surrealism Mirror, Manson Recognizable objects in different contexts Images of the mind Precise reproduction Juxtaposition (placing next to each other) Transposed (placed over) Displaced(put out of place) Mutated (altered) Visual pun/ double meaning Hidden Meaning Chance Close to abstract

A Comparison of Attitude, Personality, and Knowledge Predictors of Service-Oriented Essay

The research design that was used in this study was correlational non-experimental. The variables that were studied included confirmatory factor analysis, item-to-total correlations, improvement in the Cronbach’s alpha statistic, and attitudinal and personality antecedents. With the use of antecedents, the job satisfaction measure incorporated seven items on a variety of extrinsic and intrinsic work related aspects and one global job satisfaction item. Two studies were conducted to investigate the attitude, personality, and knowledge antecedents of service oriented OCBs. It consisted of participants, whose responsibilities included answering customer service inquiries, responding to customer problems, and selling and recommending services over the phone. There were 325 employees who agreed to participate in the study in exchange for 1 hour of overtime pay. With the second study, the participants included staff and part-time employees of five libraries at a university who had customer contact as part of their daily responsibilities. They represented several departments that have customer contact including circulation, document reserves, and government publications. The relationships proposed were that job satisfaction would be positively related to the service-oriented OCBs of loyalty, service delivery, and participation. Also it expects POS to be positively related to contact-employee loyalty, service delivery, and participation OCBs. They also expected the following: a positive relationship between service orientation and loyalty, no relationship is expected between empathy and loyalty OCBs, the trait richness will be positively related to contact employee loyalty, service delivery, and participation OCBs, and lastly that strategy richness will be positively related to contact employee loyalty, service delivery, and participation OCBs. The study concluded that the results in both studies were virtually identical. The hypotheses in this study were proven after the information was gathered and evaluated. There are no recommendations that I would change within this study, however, I would have applied the study to other employee types. The Influence of Motivation to Attend, Ability to Attend, and Organizational Commitment on Different Types of Absence Behaviors Journal of Managerial Issues James P. Burton, Thomas W. Lee, Brooks C. Holtom This study used the experimental design to conduct data. There were three types of variables that were used in this study which included independent, dependent, and controlled. The dependent variable was a time lost measure of absence that was used where the total number of days absent per employee was observed for a period of ten months following the administration of the survey that was used on 214 employees. The independent variable was the motivation to attend work which was measured by three items that assessed the degree to which an employee is motivated to go to work every day. Also the ability to attend was measured by four items along with organizational commitment which was measured by the items from Meyer and Allen’s. The controlled variables were age, gender, tenure, and level of education. There were five hypotheses that were proposed: 1) Ability to attend will be positively related to the frequency of absenteeism that is attributed to family issues, 2) Ability to attend will be positively related to the frequency of absenteeism that is attributed to transportation problems, 3a) Motivation to attend will be negatively related to the frequency of absenteeism that is attributed to illness, 3b) Ability to attend will be positively related to the frequency of absenteeism that is attributed to illness, 4) Motivation to attend will be negatively related to the frequency of absenteeism that results in failure to notify the organization, and 5) Motivation to attend will mediate the relationship between affective, normative, and continuance commitment and absenteeism. Hypothesis 1 was proven to be accurate, hypothesis 2 and 4 failed to gain significant R2 when the various absenteeism variables were regressed onto motivation to attend and ability to attend. Hypothesis 3a was supported after data was conducted, and Hypothesis 5 could not be conducted because motivation to attend was not significantly related to overall absenteeism. I was unable to find any flaws with this study and do not have any recommendations to change.

Prelude to Foundation Chapter 15 Undercover

DAVAN-†¦ In the unsettled times marking the final centuries of the First Galactic Empire, the typical sources of unrest arose from the fact that political and military leaders jockeyed for â€Å"supreme† power (a supremacy that grew more worthless with each decade). Only rarely was there anything that could be called a popular movement prior to the advent of psychohistory. In this connection, one intriguing example involves Davan, of whom little is actually known, but who may have met with Hari Seldon at one time when†¦ Encyclopedia Galactica 72. Both Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili had taken rather lingering baths, making use of the somewhat primitive facilities available to them in the Tisalver household. They had changed their clothing and were in Seldon's room when Jirad Tisalver returned in the evening. His signal at the door was (or seemed) rather timid. The buzz did not last long. Seldon opened the door and said pleasantly, â€Å"Good evening, Master Tisalver. And Mistress.† She was standing right behind her husband, forehead puckered into a puzzled frown. Tisalver said tentatively, as though he was unsure of the situation, â€Å"Are you and Mistress Venabili both well?† He nodded his head as though trying to elicit an affirmative by body language. â€Å"Quite well. In and out of Billibotton without trouble and we're all washed and changed. There's no smell left.† Seldon lifted his chin as he said it, smiling, tossing the sentence over Tisalver's shoulder to his wife. She sniffed loudly, as though testing the matter. Still tentatively, Tisalver said, â€Å"I understand there was a knife fight.† Seldon raised his eyebrows. â€Å"Is that the story?† â€Å"You and the Mistress against a hundred thugs, we were cold, and you killed them all. Is that so?† There was the reluctant sound of deep respect in his voice. â€Å"Absolutely not,† Dors put in with sudden annoyance. â€Å"That's ridiculous. What do you think we are? Mass murderers? And do you think a hundred thugs would remain in place, waiting the considerable time it would take me-us-to kill them all? I mean, think about it.† â€Å"That's what they're saying,† said Casilia Tisalver with shrill firmness. â€Å"We can't have that sort of thing in this house.† â€Å"In the first place,† said Seldon, â€Å"it wasn't in this house. In the second, it wasn't a hundred men, it was ten. In the third, no one was killed. There was some altercation back and forth, after which they left and made way for us.† â€Å"They just made way. Do you expect me to believe that, Outworlders?† demanded Mistress Tisalver belligerently. Seldon sighed. At the slightest stress, human beings seemed to divide themselves into antagonistic groups. He said, â€Å"Well, I grant you one of them was cut a little. Not seriously.† â€Å"And you weren't hurt at all?† said Tisalver. The admiration in his voice was more marked. â€Å"Not a scratch,† said Seldon. â€Å"Mistress Venabili handles two knives excellently well.† â€Å"I dare say,† said Mistress Tisalver, her eyes dropping to Dors's belt, â€Å"and that's not what I want to have going on here.† Dors said sternly, â€Å"As long as no one attacks us here, that's what you won't have here.† â€Å"But on account of you,† said Mistress Tisalver, â€Å"we have trash from the street standing at the doorway.† â€Å"My love,† said Tisalver soothingly, â€Å"let us not anger-â€Å" â€Å"Why?† spat his wife with contempt. â€Å"Are you afraid of her knives? I would like to see her use them here.† â€Å"I have no intention of using them here,† said Dors with a sniff as loud as any that Mistress Tisalver had produced. â€Å"What is this trash from the street you're talking about?† Tisalver said, â€Å"What my wife means is that an urchin from Billibotton-at least, judging by his appearance-wishes to see you and we are not accustomed to that sort of thing in this neighborhood. It undermines our standing.† He sounded apologetic. Seldon said, â€Å"Well, Master Tisalver, we'll go outside, find out what it's all about, and send him on his business as quickly-â€Å" â€Å"No. Wait,† said Dors, annoyed. â€Å"These are our rooms. We pay for them. We decide who visits us and who does not. If there is a young man outside from Billibotton, he is nonetheless a Dahlite. More important, he's a Trantorian. Still more important, he's a citizen of the Empire and a human being. Most important, by asking to see us, he becomes our guest. Therefore, we invite him in to see us.† Mistress Tisalver didn't move. Tisalver himself seemed uncertain. Dors said, â€Å"Since you say I killed a hundred bullies in Billibotton, you surely do not think I am afraid of a boy or, for that matter, of you two.† Her right hand dropped casually to her belt. Tisalver said with sudden energy, â€Å"Mistress Venabili, we do not intend to offend you. Of course these rooms are yours and you can entertain whomever you wish here.† He stepped back, pulling his indignant wife with him, undergoing a burst of resolution for which he might conceivably have to pay afterward. Dors looked after them sternly. Seldon smiled dryly. â€Å"How unlike you, Dors. I thought I was the one who quixotically got into trouble and that you were the calm and practical one whose only aim was to prevent trouble.† Dors shook her head. â€Å"I can't bear to hear a human being spoken of with contempt just because of his group identification-even by other human beings. It's these respectable people here who create those hooligans out there.† â€Å"And other respectable people,† said Seldon, â€Å"who create these respectable people. These mutual animosities are as much a part of humanity-â€Å" â€Å"Then you'll have to deal with it in your psychohistory, won't you?† â€Å"Most certainly-if there is ever a psychohistory with which to deal with anything at all.-Ah, here comes the urchin under discussion. And it's Raych, which somehow doesn't surprise me.† 73. Raych entered, looking about, clearly intimidated. The forefinger of his right hand reached for his upper lip as though wondering when he would begin to feel the first downy hairs there. He turned to the clearly outraged Mistress Tisalver and bowed clumsily. â€Å"Thank ya, Missus. Ya got a lovely place.† Then, as the door slammed behind him, he turned to Seldon and Dors with an air of easy connoisseurship. â€Å"Nice place, guys.† â€Å"I'm glad you like it,† said Seldon solemnly. â€Å"How did you know we were here?† â€Å"Followed ya. How'd ya think? Hey, lady†-he turned to Dors-â€Å"you don't fight like no dame.† â€Å"Have you watched many dames fight?† asked Dors, amused. Raych rubbed his nose, â€Å"No, never seen none whatever. They don't carry knives, except little ones to scare kids with. Never scared me.† â€Å"I'm sure they didn't. What do you do to make dames draw their knives?† â€Å"Nothin'. You just kid around a little. You holler, ‘Hey, lady, lemme-‘ † He thought about it for a moment and said, â€Å"Nothin'.† Dors said, â€Å"Well, don't try that on me.† â€Å"Ya kiddin'? After what ya did to Marron? Hey, lady, where'd you learn to fight that way?† â€Å"On my own world.† â€Å"Could ya teach me?† â€Å"Is that what you came here to see me about?† â€Å"Akchaly, no. I came to bring ya a kind of message.† â€Å"From someone who wants to fight me?† â€Å"No one wants to fight ya, lady. Listen, lady, ya got a reputation now. Everybody knows ya. You just walk down anywhere in old Billibotton and all the guys will step aside and let ya pass and grin and make sure they don't look cross-eyed at ya. Oh, lady, ya got it made. That's why he wants to see ya.† Seldon said, â€Å"Raych, just exactly who wants to see us?† â€Å"Guy called Davan.† â€Å"And who is he?† â€Å"Just a guy. He lives in Billibotton and don't carry no knife.† â€Å"And he stays alive, Raych?† â€Å"He reads a lot and he helps the guys there when they get in trouble with the gov'ment. They kinda leave him alone. He don't need no knife.† â€Å"Why didn't he come himself, then?† said Dors. â€Å"Why did he send you?† â€Å"He don't like this place. He says it makes him sick. He says all the people here, they lick the gov'ment's-† He paused, looked dubiously at the two Outworlders, and said, â€Å"Anyway, he won't come here. He said they'd let me in cause I was only a kid.† He grinned. â€Å"They almost didn't, did they? I mean that lady there who looked like she was smellin' somethin'?† He stopped suddenly, abashed, and looked down at himself. â€Å"Ya don't get much chance to wash where I come from.† â€Å"It's all right,† said Dors, smiling. â€Å"Where are we supposed to meet, then, if he won't come here? After all-if you don't mind-we don't feel like going to Billibotton.† â€Å"I told ya,† said Raych indignantly. â€Å"Ya get free run of Billibotton, I swear. Besides, where he lives no one will bother ya.† â€Å"Where is it?† asked Seldon. â€Å"I can take ya there. It ain't far.† â€Å"And why does he want to see us?† asked Dors. â€Å"Dunno. But he says like this-† Raych half-closed his eyes in an effort to remember. † ‘Tell them I wanna see the man who talked to a Dahlite heatsinker like he was a human being and the woman who beat Marron with knives and didn't kill him when she mighta done so.' I think I got it right.† Seldon smiled. â€Å"I think you did. Is he ready for us now?† â€Å"He's waiting.† â€Å"Then we'll come with you.† He looked at Dors with a trace of doubt in his eyes. She said, â€Å"All right. I'm willing. Perhaps it won't be a trap of some sort. Hope springs eternal-â€Å" 74. There was a pleasant glow to the evening light when they emerged, a faint violet touch and a pinkish edge to the simulated sunset clouds that were scudding along. Dahl might have complaints of their treatment by the Imperial rulers of Trantor, but surely there was nothing wrong with the weather the computers spun out for them. Dors said in a low voice, â€Å"We seem to be celebrities. No mistake about that.† Seldon brought his eyes down from the supposed sky and was immediately aware of a fair-sized crowd around the apartment house in which the Tisalvers lived. Everyone in the crowd stared at them intently. When it was clear that the two Outworlders had become aware of the attention, a low murmur ran through the crowd, which seemed to be on the point of breaking out into applause. Dors said, â€Å"Now I can see where Mistress Tisalver would find this annoying. I should have been a little more sympathetic.† The crowd was, for the most part, poorly dressed and it was not hard to guess that many of the people were from Billibotton. On impulse, Seldon smiled and raised one hand in a mild greeting that was met with applause. One voice, lost in the safe anonymity of the crowd called out, â€Å"Can the lady show us some knife tricks?† When Dors called back, â€Å"No, I only draw in anger,† there was instant laughter. One man stepped forward. He was clearly not from Billibotton and bore no obvious mark of being a Dahlite. He had only a small mustache, for one thing, and it was brown, not black. He said, â€Å"Marlo Tanto of the ‘Trantorian HV News.' Can we have you in focus for a bit for our nightly holocast?† â€Å"No,† said Dors shortly. â€Å"No interviews.† The newsman did not budge. â€Å"I understand you were in a fight with a great many men in Billibotton-and won.† He smiled. â€Å"That's news, that is.† â€Å"No,† said Dors. â€Å"We met some men in Billibotton, talked to them, and then moved on. That's all there is to it and that's all you're going to get.† â€Å"What's your name? You don't sound like a Trantorian.† â€Å"I have no name.† â€Å"And your friend's name?† â€Å"He has no name.† The newsman looked annoyed, â€Å"Look, lady. You're news and I'm just trying to do my job.† Raych pulled at Dors's sleeve. She leaned down and listened to his earnest whisper. She nodded and straightened up again. â€Å"I don't think you're a newsman, Mr. Tanto. What I think you are is an Imperial agent trying to make trouble for Dahl. There was no fight and you're trying to manufacture news concerning one as a way of justifying an Imperial expedition into Billibotton. I wouldn't stay here if I were you. I don't think you're very popular with these people.† The crowd had begun to mutter at Dors's first words. They grew louder now and began to drift, slowly and in a menacing way, in the direction of Tanto. He looked nervously around and began to move away. Dors raised her voice. â€Å"Let him go. Don't anyone touch him. Don't give him any excuse to report violence.† And they parted before him. Raych said, â€Å"Aw, lady, you shoulda let them rough him up.† â€Å"Bloodthirsty boy,† said Dors, â€Å"take us to this friend of yours.† 75. They met the man who called himself Davan in a room behind a dilapidated diner. Far behind. Raych led the way, once more showing himself as much at home in the burrows of Billibotton as a mole would be in tunnels underground in Helicon. It was Dors Venabili whose caution first manifested itself. She stopped and said, â€Å"Come back, Raych. Exactly where are we going?† â€Å"To Davan,† said Raych, looking exasperated. â€Å"I told ya.† â€Å"But this is a deserted area. There's no one living here.† Dors looked about with obvious distaste. The surroundings were lifeless and what light panels there were did not glower [but] did so only dimly. â€Å"It's the way Davan likes it,† said Raych. â€Å"He's always changing around, staying here, staying there. Ya know†¦ changing around.† â€Å"Why?† demanded Dors. â€Å"It's safer, lady.† â€Å"From whom?† â€Å"From the gov'ment.† â€Å"Why would the government want Davan?† â€Å"I dunno, lady. Tell ya what. I'll tell ya where he is and tell ya how to go and ya go on alone-if ya don't want me to take ya.† Seldon said, â€Å"No, Raych, I'm pretty sure we'll get lost without you. In fact, you had better wait till we're through so you can lead us back.† Raych said at once, â€Å"What's in it f'me? Ya expect me to hang around when I get hungry?† â€Å"You hang around and get hungry, Raych, and I'll buy you a big dinner. Anything you like.† â€Å"Ya say that now. Mister. How do I know?† Dors's hand flashed and it was holding a knife, blade exposed, â€Å"You're not calling us liars, are you, Raych?† Raych's eyes opened wide. He did not seem frightened by the threat. He said, â€Å"Hey, I didn't see that. Do it again.† â€Å"I'll do it afterward-if you're still here. Otherwise†-Dors glared at him-â€Å"we'll track you down.† â€Å"Aw, lady, come on,† said Raych. â€Å"Ya ain't gonna track me down. Ya ain't that kind. But I'll be here.† He struck a pose. â€Å"Ya got my word.† And he led them onward in silence, though the sound of their shoes was hollow in the empty corridors. Davan looked up when they entered, a wild look that softened when he saw Raych. He gestured quickly toward the two others-questioningly. Raych said, â€Å"These are the guys.† And, grinning, he left. Seldon said, â€Å"I am Hari Seldon. The young lady is Dors Venabili.† He regarded Davan curiously. Davan was swarthy and had the thick black mustache of the Dahlite male, but in addition he had a stubble of beard. He was the first Dahlite whom Seldon had seen who had not been meticulously shaven. Even the bullies of Billibotton had been smooth of cheek and chin. Seldon said, â€Å"What is your name, sir?† â€Å"Davan. Raych must have told you.† â€Å"Your second name.† â€Å"I am only Davan. Were you followed here, Master Seldon?† â€Å"No, I'm sure we weren't. If we had, then by sound or sight, I expect Raych would have known. And if he had not, Mistress Venabili would have.† Dors smiled slightly. â€Å"You have faith in me, Hari.† â€Å"More all the time,† he said thoughtfully. Davan stirred uneasily. â€Å"Yet you've already been found.† â€Å"Found?† â€Å"Yes, I have heard of this supposed newsman.† â€Å"Already?† Seldon looked faintly surprised. â€Å"But I suspect he really was a newsman†¦ and harmless. We tatted him an Imperial agent at Raych's suggestion, which was a good idea. The surrounding crowd grew threatening and we got rid of him.† â€Å"No,† said Davan, â€Å"he was what you called him. My people know the man and he does work for the Empire.-But then you do not do as I do. You do not use a false name and change your place of abode. You go under your own names, making no effort to remain undercover. You are Hari Seldon, the mathematician.† â€Å"Yes, I am,† said Seldon. â€Å"Why should I invent a false name?† â€Å"The Empire wants you, does it not?† Seldon shrugged. â€Å"I stay in places where the Empire cannot reach out to take me.† â€Å"Not openly, but the Empire doesn't have to work openly. I would urge you to disappear†¦ really disappear.† â€Å"Like you†¦ as you say,† said Seldon looking about with an edge of distaste. The room was as dead as the corridors he had walked through. It was musty through and through and it was overwhelmingly depressing. â€Å"Yes,† said Davan. â€Å"You could be useful to us.† â€Å"In what way?† â€Å"You talked to a young man named Yugo Amaryl.† â€Å"Yes, I did.† â€Å"Amaryl tells me that you can predict the future.† Seldon sighed heavily. He was tired of standing in this empty room. Davan was sitting on a cushion and there were other cushions available, but they did not look clean. Nor did he wish to lean against the mildew-streaked wall. He said, â€Å"Either you misunderstood Amaryl or Amaryl misunderstood me. What I have done is to prove that it is possible to choose starting conditions from which historical forecasting does not descend into chaotic conditions, but can become predictable within limits. However, what those starting conditions might be I do not know, nor am I sure that those conditions can be found by any one person-or by any number of people-in a finite length of time. Do you understand me?† â€Å"No.† Seldon sighed again. â€Å"Then let me try once more. It is possible to predict the future, but it may be impossible to find out how to take advantage of that possibility. Do you understand?† Davan looked at Seldon darkly, then at Dors. â€Å"Then you can't predict the future.† â€Å"Now you have the point, Master Davan.† â€Å"Just call me Davan. But you may be able to learn to predict the future someday.† â€Å"That is conceivable.† â€Å"Then that's why the Empire wants you.† â€Å"No,† Seldon raised his finger didactically. â€Å"It's my idea that that is why the Empire is not making an overwhelming effort to get me. They might like to have me if I can be picked up without trouble, but they know that right now I know nothing and that it is therefore not worth upsetting the delicate peace of Trantor by interfering with the local rights of this sector or that. That's the reason I can move about under my own name with reasonable security.† For a moment, Davan buried his head in his hands and muttered, â€Å"This is madness.† Then he looked up wearily and said to Dors, â€Å"Are you Master Seldon's wife?† Dors said calmly, â€Å"I am his friend and protector.† â€Å"How well do you know him?† â€Å"We have been together for some months.† â€Å"No more?† â€Å"No more.† â€Å"Would it be your opinion he is speaking the truth?† â€Å"I know he is, but what reason would you have to trust me if you do not trust him? If Hari is, for some reason, lying to you, might I not be lying to you equally in order to support him?† Davan looked from one to the other helplessly. Then he said, â€Å"Would you, in any case, help us?† â€Å"Who are ‘us' and in what way do you need help?† Davan said, â€Å"You see the situation here in Dahl. We are oppressed. You must know that and, from your treatment of Yugo Amaryl, I cannot believe you lack sympathy for us.† â€Å"We are fully sympathetic.† â€Å"And you must know the source of the oppression.† â€Å"You are going to tell me that it's the Imperial government, I suppose, and I dare say it plays its part. On the other hand, I notice that there is a middle class in Dahl that despises the heatsinkers and a criminal class that terrorizes the rest of the sector.† Davan's lips tightened, but he remained unmoved. â€Å"Quite true. Quite true. But the Empire encourages it as a matter of principle. Dahl has the potential for making serious trouble. If the heatsinkers should go on strike, Trantor would experience a severe energy shortage almost at once†¦ with all that that implies. However, Dahl's own upper classes will spend money to hire the hoodlums of Billibotton-and of other places-to fight the heatsinkers and break the strike. It has happened before. The Empire allows some Dahlites to prosper-comparatively-in order to convert them into Imperialist lackeys, while it refuses to enforce the arms-control laws effectively enough to weaken the criminal element. â€Å"The Imperial government does this everywhere-and not in Dahl alone. They can't exert force to impose their will, as in the old days when they ruled with brutal directness. Nowadays, Trantor has grown so complex and so easily disturbed that the Imperial forces must keep their hands off-â€Å" â€Å"A form of degeneration,† said Seldon, remembering Hummin's complaints. â€Å"What?† said Davan. â€Å"Nothing,† said Seldon. â€Å"Go on.† â€Å"The Imperial forces must keep their hands off, but they find that they can do much even so. Each sector is encouraged to be suspicious of its neighbors. Within each sector, economic and social classes are encouraged to wage a kind of war with each other. The result is that all over Trantor it is impossible for the people to take united action. Everywhere, the people would rather fight each other than make a common stand against the central tyranny and the Empire rules without having to exert force.† â€Å"And what,† said Dors, â€Å"do you think can be done about it?† â€Å"I've been trying for years to build a feeling of solidarity among the peoples of Trantor.† â€Å"I can only suppose,† said Seldon dryly, â€Å"that you are finding this an impossibly difficult and largely thankless task.† â€Å"You suppose correctly,† said Davan, â€Å"but the party is growing stronger. Many of our knifers are coming to the realization that knives are best when they are not used on each other. Those who attacked you in the corridors of Billibotton are examples of the unconverted. However, those who support you now, who are ready to defend you against the agent you thought was a newsman, are my people. I live here among them. It is not an attractive way of life, but I am safe here. We have adherents in neighboring sectors and we spread daily.† â€Å"But where do we come in?† asked Dors. â€Å"For one thing,† said Davan, â€Å"both of you are Outworlders, scholars. We need people like you among our leaders. Our greatest strength is drawn from the poor and the uneducated because they suffer the most, but they can lead the least. A person like one of you two is worth a hundred of them.† â€Å"That's an odd estimate from someone who wishes to rescue the oppressed,† said Seldon. â€Å"I don't mean as people,† said Davan hastily. â€Å"I mean as far as leadership is concerned. The party must have among its leaders men and women of intellectual power.† â€Å"People like us, you mean, are needed to give your party a veneer of respectability.† Davan said, â€Å"You can always put something noble in a sneering fashion if you try. But you, Master Seldon, are more than respectable, more than intellectual. Even if you won't admit to being able to penetrate the mists of the future-â€Å" â€Å"Please, Davan,† said Seldon, â€Å"don't be poetic and don't use the conditional. It's not a matter of admitting. I can't foresee the future. Those are not mists that block the view but chrome steel barriers.† â€Å"Let me finish. Even if you can't actually predict with-what do you call it?-psychohistorical accuracy, you've studied history and you may have a certain intuitive feeling for consequences. Now, isn't that so?† Seldon shook his head. â€Å"I may have a certain intuitive understanding for mathematical likelihood, but how far I can translate that into anything of historical significance is quite uncertain. Actually, I have not studied history. I wish I had. I feel the loss keenly.† Dors said evenly, â€Å"I am the historian, Davan, and I can say a few things if you wish.† â€Å"Please do,† said Davan, making it half a courtesy, half a challenge. â€Å"For one thing, there have been many revolutions in Galactic history that have overthrown tyrannies, sometimes on individual planets, sometimes in groups of them, occasionally in the Empire itself or in the pre-Imperial regional governments. Often, this has only meant a change in tyranny. In other words, one ruling class is replaced by another-sometimes by one that is more efficient and therefore still more capable of maintaining itself-while the poor and downtrodden remain poor and downtrodden or become even worse off.† Davan, listening intently, said, â€Å"I'm aware of that. We all are. Perhaps we can learn from the past and know better what to avoid. Besides, the tyranny that now exists is actual. That which may exist in the future is merely potential. If we are always to draw back from change with the thought that the change may be for the worse, then there is no hope at all of ever escaping injustice.† Dors said, â€Å"A second point you must remember is that even if you have right on your side, even if justice thunders condemnation, it is usually the tyranny in existence that has the balance of force on its side. There is nothing your knife handlers can do in the way of rioting and demonstrating that will have any permanent effect as long as, in the extremity, there is an army equipped with kinetic, chemical, and neurological weapons that is willing to use them against your people. You can get all the downtrodden and even all the respectables on your side, but you must somehow win over the security forces and the Imperial army or at least seriously weaken their loyalty to the rulers.† Davan said, â€Å"Trantor is a multigovernmental world. Each sector has its own rulers and some of them are themselves anti-Imperial. If we can have a strong sector on our side, that would change the situation, would it not? We would then not be merely ragamuffins fighting with knives and stones.† â€Å"Does that mean you do have a strong sector on your side or merely that it is your ambition to have one?† Davan was silent. Dors said, â€Å"I shall assume that you are thinking of the Mayor of Wye. If the Mayor is in the mood to make use of popular discontent as a way of improving the chance of toppling the Emperor, doesn't it strike you that the end the Mayor would have in view would be that of succeeding to the Imperial throne? Why should the Mayor risk his present not-inconsiderable position for anything less? Merely for the blessings of justice and the decent treatment of people, concerning whom he can have little interest?† â€Å"You mean,† said Davan, â€Å"that any powerful leader who is willing to help us may then betray us.† â€Å"It is a situation that is all too common in Galactic history.† â€Å"If we are ready for that, might we not betray him?† â€Å"You mean, make use of him and then, at some crucial moment, subvert the leader of his forces-or a leader, at any rate-and have him assassinated?† â€Å"Not perhaps exactly like that, but some way of getting rid of him might exist if that should prove necessary.† â€Å"Then we have a revolutionary movement in which the principal players must be ready to betray each other, with each simply waiting for the opportunity. It sounds like a recipe for chaos.† â€Å"You will not help us, then?† said Davan. Seldon, who had been listening to the exchange between Davan and Dors with a puzzled frown on his face, said, â€Å"We can't put it that simply. We would like to help you. We are on your side. It seems to me that no sane man wants to uphold an Imperial system that maintains itself by fostering mutual hatred and suspicions. Even when it seems to work, it can only be described as meta-stable; that is, as too apt to fall into instability in one direction or another. But the question is: How can we help? If I had psychohistory, if I could tell what is most likely to happen, or if I could tell what action of a number of alternative possibilities is most likely to bring on an apparently happy consequence, then I would put my abilities at your disposal.-But I don't have it. I can help you best by trying to develop psychohistory.† â€Å"And how long will that take?† Seldon shrugged. â€Å"I cannot say.† â€Å"How can you ask us to wait indefinitely?† â€Å"What alternative do I have, since I am useless to you as I am? But I will say this: I have until very recently been quite convinced that the development of psychohistory was absolutely impossible. Now I am not so certain of that.† â€Å"You mean you have a solution in mind?† â€Å"No, merely an intuitive feeling that a solution might be possible. I have not been able to pin down what has occurred to make me have that feeling. It may be an illusion, but I am trying. Let me continue to try.-Perhaps [then we'll] meet again.† â€Å"Or perhaps,† said Davan, â€Å"if you return to where you are now staying, you will eventually find yourself in an Imperial trap. You may think that the Empire will leave you alone while you struggle with psychohistory, but I am certain the Emperor and his toady Demerzel are in no mood to wait forever, any more than I am.† â€Å"It will do them no good to hasten,† said Seldon calmly, â€Å"since I am not on their side, as I am on yours.-Come, Dors.† They turned and left Davan, sitting alone in his squalid room, and found Raych waiting for them outside. 76. Raych was eating, licking his fingers, and crumpling the bag in which the food-whatever it was-had been. A strong smell of onions pervaded the air-different somehow, yeast-based perhaps. Dors, retreating a little from the odor, said, â€Å"Where did you get the food from, Raych?† â€Å"Davan's guys. They brought it to me. Davan's okay.† â€Å"Then we don't have to buy you dinner, do we?† said Seldon, conscious of his own empty stomach. â€Å"Ya owe me somethin',† said Raych, looking greedily in Dors's direction. â€Å"How about the lady's knife? One of 'em.† â€Å"No knife,† said Dors. â€Å"You get us back safely and I'll give you five credits.† â€Å"Can't get no knife for five credits,† grumbled Raych. â€Å"You're not getting anything but five credits,† said Dors. â€Å"You're a lousy dame, lady,† said Raych. â€Å"I'm a lousy dame with a quick knife, Raych, so get moving.† â€Å"All right. Don't get all perspired.† Raych waved his hand. â€Å"This way.† It was back through the empty corridors, but this time Dors, looking this way and that, stopped. â€Å"Hold on, Raych. We're being followed.† Raych looked exasperated. â€Å"Ya ain't supposed to hear 'em.† Seldon said, bending his head to one side, â€Å"I don't hear anything.† â€Å"I do,† said Dors. â€Å"Now, Raych, I don't want any fooling around. You tell me right now what's going on or I'll rap your head so that you won't see straight for a week. I mean it.† Raych held up one arm defensively. â€Å"You try it, you lousy dame. You try it. It's Davan's guys. They're just taking care of us, in case any knifers come along.† â€Å"Davan's guys?† â€Å"Yeah. They're goin' along the service corridors.† Dors's right hand shot out and seized Raych by the scruff of his upper garment. She lifted and he dangled, shouting, â€Å"Hey, lady. Hey!† Seldon said, â€Å"Dors! Don't be hard on him.† â€Å"I'll be harder still if I think he's lying. You're my charge, Hari, not he.† â€Å"I'm not lyin',† said Raych, struggling. â€Å"I'm not.† â€Å"I'm sure he isn't,† said Seldon. â€Å"Well, we'll see. Raych, tell them to come out where we can see them.† She let him drop and dusted her hands. â€Å"You're some kind of nut, lady,† said Raych aggrievedly. Then he raised his voice. â€Å"Yay, Davan! Come out here, some of ya guys!† There was a wait and then, from an unlit opening along the corridor, two dark-mustached men came out, one with a scar running the length of his cheek. Each held the sheath of a knife in his hand, blade withdrawn. â€Å"How many more of you are there?† asked Dors harshly. â€Å"A few,† said one of the newcomers. â€Å"Orders. We're guarding you. Davan wants you safe.† â€Å"Thank you. Try to be even quieter. Raych, keep on moving.† Raych said sulkily, â€Å"Ya roughed me up when I was telling the truth.† â€Å"You're right,† said Dors. â€Å"At least, I think you're right†¦ and I apologize.† â€Å"I'm not sure I should accept,† said Raych, trying to stand tall. â€Å"But awright, just this once.† He moved on. When they reached the walkway, the unseen corps of guards vanished. At least, even Dors's keen ears could hear them no more. By now, though, they were moving into the respectable part of the sector. Dors said thoughtfully, â€Å"I don't think we have clothes that would fit you, Raych.† Raych said, â€Å"Why do ya want clothes to fit me, Missus?† (Respectability seemed to invade Raych once they were out of the corridors.) â€Å"I got clothes.† â€Å"I thought you'd like to come into our place and take a bath.† Raych said, â€Å"What for? I'll wash one o' these days. And I'll put on my other shirt.† He looked up at Dors shrewdly. â€Å"You're sorry ya roughed me up. Right? Ya tryin' to make up?† Dors smiled. â€Å"Yes. Sort of.† Raych waved a hand in lordly fashion. â€Å"That's all right. Ya didn't hurt. Listen. You're strong for a lady. Ya lifted me up like I was nothin'.† â€Å"I was annoyed, Raych. I have to be concerned about Master Seldon.† â€Å"Ya sort of his bodyguard?† Raych looked at Seldon inquiringly. â€Å"Ya got a lady for a bodyguard?† â€Å"I can't help it,† said Seldon smiling wryly. â€Å"She insists. And she certainly knows her job.† Dors said, â€Å"Think again, Raych. Are you sure you won't have a bath? A nice warm bath.† Raych said, â€Å"I got no chance. Ya think that lady is gonna let me in the house again?† Dors looked up and saw Casilia Tisalver outside the front door of the apartment complex, staring first at the Outworld woman and then at the slum-bred boy. It would have been impossible to tell in which case her expression was angrier. Raych said, â€Å"Well, so long, Mister and Missus. I don't know if she'll let either of ya in the house.† He placed his hands in his pocket and swaggered off in a fine affectation of carefree indifference. Seldon said, â€Å"Good evening, Mistress Tisalver. It's rather late, isn't it?† â€Å"It's very late,† she replied. â€Å"There was a near riot today outside this very complex because of that newsman you pushed the street vermin at.† â€Å"We didn't push anyone on anyone,† said Dors. â€Å"I was there,† said Mistress Tisalver intransigently. â€Å"I saw it.† She stepped aside to let them enter, but delayed long enough to make her reluctance quite plain. â€Å"She acts as though that was the last straw,† said Dors as she and Seldon made their way up to their rooms. â€Å"So? What can she do about it?† asked Seldon. â€Å"I wonder,† said Dors.

Strategic Management and Sustainability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Strategic Management and Sustainability - Essay Example specifically. Political: Apple operates across multiple geographies, which imply that the organization is subject to political influence of multiple countries. When an organization operates in a particular nation, it is bound by the country’s predefined business policies. It has been found that in case of Apple, a majority of product sales had originated from countries outside the U.S. market particularly after the recession of 2008 (Apple, 2013). In order to utilize opportunities outside U.S., Apple has steadily spread its manufacturing operations in countries like, Korea, Czech Republic, Ireland and Cork. Diplomatic political relations of U.S. government with the governments in other countries benefits Apple’s operation in dissimilar regions (Hassan, 2014). Tax regulations are also an important determinant of profitability. For instance, introduction of taxes by the Chinese government against foreign companies had significant impact on profitability of the organization. Similarly, the U.K. government had raised VAT by 20%, which is expected to lower consumer spending on luxury items. So, a reduction in purchase of Apple products is likely (BBC News Business, 2011). Economic: There are mainly three important parameters that impact business prospects of Apple, namely inflation, value of currency and recessionary trends. The operations of Apple are subject to currency and exchange rate risks as foreign exchange market remains volatile after recession. One of the major trends since recession of 2008 was contraction in the demand for expensive electronic gadgets in countries of European Union like, Greece, Portugal and Italy (Berglof, E., 2011). However, the impact of recession on emerging countries has been lesser to an extent. It has been observed that rising rate of GDP and per capita income in the emerging countries like, Brazil, India and China, has been