Mr. Banker

Part Four- An Idea

The relation between Edward and Sam deteriorated further, in the next few weeks. Sam, shut himself in one half of the dormitory, which he shared with Edward. Edward, tried his best to reconcile with Sam, and tried to secretly pay all his overdue bills. This further infuriated Sam, and the two of them didn't talk at all.

Edward was finding it extremely difficult to study for the National University Examination, which was also called the Board Examination. He studied from the portions, and went through the worksheets, extra notes and so on. But he knew that Sam would be much better that a book. He wished the Sam would talk to him'�


Soon, it was time for the Board exam. The students lumbered into a bus at 4 A.M. They were all half asleep. Edward occupied the last seat, and sat near the window, gazing out at the awakening city. Sam was in front, and there was no sign of him talking.

Slowly, Edward's mind drifted away from the tension of exams, and he remembered fond memories of his childhood'�

* * * * *
He was new at school, his father, an accountant, had just moved into a new neighborhood, and Edward was the eldest of his three siblings. As a kid, Edward was surprisingly independent. He quickly understood that his father, though brilliant, and a genius, was finding it difficult to raise four children. And Edward tried to help make things easier. He helped in the household chores, and started cleaning cars to earn money.

'Are you new to this school, dear?'� the headmaster asked. 'Yes, ma'am. My name is Edward, Edward Miller. I would like you to call me Edward, ma'am, if you please. Are you the headmistress of this school, ma'am?'� The headmistress was taken aback. She really didn't expect a 5 and a half year old to talk like this. 'Yes, my dear. My name is Mrs. Alice.'� 'Mrs. Alice, it is a pleasure to meet you. You don't look like a teacher, though'�'� Mrs. Alice's face wrinkled, and she said a small 'oh'�. 'You really don't look like a headmistress. My mother tells me that headmistresses are old, have warts, and march like tyrants. You look rather like a teacher, an assistant teacher, too!'� Mrs. Alice's face broke into a smile. 'My God Edward, you really are quite lovely. Thank you for the compliment, dear. But, I am sure I don't look so young!'� There was a gleam in her eyes. Something that seemed to say, 'Say that I do look young!'� 'Well'�'�started Edward, 'you do look younger than my mother, and she's 38. How old are you ma'am?'�

Mrs. Alice just laughed the question away, and managed to distract Edward by telling him that he was going to make exciting new friends. She caught Edward's tiny hand and led him through the corridors. 'Good Morning Mrs. Alice,'� said teachers who passed by. 'Oh, good morning dear. Have you met young Master Edward?'� The teachers stopped and shook their heads, and looked at the small, cute boy lovingly. 'Good Morning, ma'am'� Edward said. 'Oh, good morning, good morning! What is your name, son?'� 'My name's Edward and I am new to school. What is your name, ma'am?'� There was a momentary look of surprise in the teacher's face, but Mrs. Alice was enjoying the conversation. Her new student definitely didn't fail to surprise!

'My name is Miss Katherine, Edward,'� replied the teacher, now kneeling down a bit. 'I like your watch, Miss Katherine. My mother always envies women who wear such beautiful watches'� They all had a hearty laugh, and Miss Katherine forgot about the errand she was on. She and Mrs. Alice followed Edward to his class, and on the way, met more teachers. 'He is a charming young man.'� Said one of the teachers. 'Oh, he definitely is. Never seen a more handsome, or charismatic boy before! I wonder if I'll be teaching him this year'�

While all the teachers were outside, Edward was in the classroom, quickly making friends. By the end of the period, everyone knew his name, and he was animatedly talking to his class teacher. 'Ma'am, do you want to be a businesswoman?'� Edward asked. 'Yes, Edward, I do. I feel that I can be a really good one too. It's just that'�'� 'It's just what, Miss?'� asked Edward, pressing the question. 'Eh, what the-(sob), here I am, talking to a 5 year old,'� said the teacher. She again sobbed. 'You know, I should have started early as a businesswoman. When I was 20 or something like that. Now, no one's going to hire me!'� Edward realized what was going on. 'Ma'am, don't think that you're too old. That's what my mother said. She was a secretary and she though that she was too old, just like you. But then, she was determined, and soon, she found the perfect husband in my father.'� The teacher laughed at the story, and her tears of sorrow turned into tears of joy'�
* * * * *
Edward smiled as he thought about the fond memories. He was an expert at making friends, and complimenting too. He remembered what he had told Mrs. Alice, 'You look younger than my mother...'� That was a white lie. His mother was just 28 and Mrs. Alice looked like his grandmother. But that simple lie had cheered up the old woman, and made her happy. Charming, and Charismatic! And he still is!

Just then, Edward woke up from his day dreaming. Sitting next to him was Sam. 'Oh,'� Edward sat upright, confused by this sudden visit.

'Edward, I'll just say it now. I am very sorry for what I did and I want you to forgive me and be my best friend again.'� Edward blinked an eye. 'Okay,'� he said. 'Good, now, let me ask you some questions,'� Sam said, grabbing a text book. Edward felt happy again. It was like eating food after days of starving. He smiled, and slumped in his seat.

'The first question. Explain three ways in which the consumer demand rate of a third world country can be curbed using Adam Smith's principals.'� Edward stared at Sam's face. 'Nice joke, Sam. But please, ask me some good questions. I'm not prepared properly.'� 'What's wrong with the question that I asked you?'� Sam asked, looking baffled. 'Adam Smith's principals are definitely going to come for 10 marks. I'm sure of it.'� Edward stared at him, his jaws dropped. 'You mean'�it's'�its coming for the exam?'�

'What do you mean? Is it coming for the exam? Of course, it's coming. Not just this, anything else from the 24 chapters'� cried Sam. '24 Chapters! There are 2-4 Chapters for the test! I thought only 10!'� Edward was shaking. Just thinking about what Sam had said made him shiver with fright.

Ten minutes later, Edward was surrounded by books, and his friends were all crowding around. 'Just relax, Edward-'�, 'Calm down, man'�, 'You passed a 60% exam-'�, 'I'm sure you'll pass!'� 'Alright, could you all just SHUT UP!'� Edward screamed. His friends went back to their seats, grumbling. Edward wiped off beads of sweat on his forehead, and tried to concentrate on what he was learning. But, nothing was entering his head. He tried to concentrate as much as he could, but the sound of the bus moving, students talking'�everything were distracting him'�

Then, with a determined look on his face, he shut the books and looked out of the window, deep in thought. His brows were raised, and his cheeks tightened'�

The bus stopped, and everyone got out. 'This way, people, this way,'� said Mr. Robins, leading them into the school. 'Have you'�you know'� started Sam, but Edward cut in. 'No, I haven't studied any of the other chapters, if that's what you're asking. Guess I'll just have to give it my best shot'� Sam saw Edward walk past him, and a thought crossed his mind'�It's because of me that he didn't know the portions'�if I had just told him'�Then, another, even more puzzling thought entered his mind'�How is he going to pass this exam!.

But Edward wasn't thinking about passing. His mind was fixed on something else. He walked towards the head office, and read the board: Mr. Seaman Wilkins, Head of National Universities. Edward bit his lip. His plan just might work. He went to a nearby café, and logged on to the internet. A screen maximized, and 'coolguy'� started chatting. 'Coolguy, just the person looking for. Look, need a check up on a 'Mr. Seaman Wilkins, Head of National Universities'�. Fast!'� The cursor blinked, and then came the reply, 'It will cost you!'� 'I don't care'� Edward replied, his eyes constantly darting towards the clock. There were 6 minutes left. Everyone must be looking for him.

A small box popped on the screen. 'YES!'� Edward cried, and saved the page. Then, after saying a few words to the shop keeper, who nodded his head, Edward ran towards the exam hall. No man in his right mind would write the exam without preparing. But Edward's mind was on the document that he had received. He was dying to read it'�He had an Idea'�

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