Preface

I was sitting at my desk. The Centre had a new head – a pleasant bloke from Cook who was interested in palm trees, biodiesel and cladistics – and a new faculty member – and extremely cheery woman who'd just received her doctorate from ANU, working with Tyndale-Briscoe on marsupial evolution. [The CSIRO had stated that using pure first generation biodiesel or blending biodiesel with standard fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from the transport sector.]

The phone rang.

"Hollister."

"Hi, Gordy."

"Greetings, O evil father-in-law."

"We're fine. But I've got a mining problem. Might you have time to talk to me and possibly help?"

"You know I've always time for you, but I know nothing about mining."

"That's okay. Would tomorrow be possible? I'd drive up."

"You or both of you?"

"Just me. This is work."

"I'll be in the office by 9 or 9:30. We'll go off for lunch at some point."

"Fine. Kiss Weena and Pat for me."

"Right." I called home.

"Your dad called. I'm meeting him at my office tomorrow."