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Chapter 12 - Cartography
- University of Massachusetts Press
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BOOKCOMP, Inc. — University of Massachusetts Press / Page 117 / Printer Proof / Bring Everybody / Yates 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 [117], (117) Lines: 1668 to 1675 ——— 0.4pt PgVar ——— Normal Page PgEnds: TEX [117], (117) Cartography Raymond Kiefer sits in back but with a view of the panelists. He’s watching the speaker, a woman who has to be Trish, despite some changes, a few of them arguably attractive. The way she used to fidget her hands, there’s only a bit of that left, and it works into effective gesture. The unruly hair she complained of appears disciplined now but still thick, some honest gray to it—not that anyone does dishonest gray. Facial lines are those that laughter leaves, not the tracks of worry or booze or cigarettes. Or apparently. He’ll need to get closer to be sure. She’s put on a little weight but carries it well. Hell, we’ve all put on a little weight. The voice, though, that’s what clinches it. On the street, in passing and out of any context, not much chance he’d recognize this Trish, yet two sentences on a phone line and he’d know her. It’s a voice toasted around the edges, but still a crème brûlée richness, smooth under the breakable crust. He does the math—it’s been twenty years. But concentrating so much on the sound of her, he hasn’t attended to the matter of her remarks as he should have, and now it’s question time. He stands, pockets the rest of his vending-machine peanuts, grips the back of the chair in front of him, and cues to her nod. “My crowd will be interested in the reaction of a typical irrigation district to these recommendations. Could you clarify . . .” He goes on, meeting her eyes and watching for a signal that she’s recognized him. He keeps standing as she answers oh so professionally, thanks her, grins, winks, and lets her eyes be the first to turn away. Then it’s – 117 – BOOKCOMP, Inc. — University of Massachusetts Press / Page 118 / Printer Proof / Bring Everybody / Yates Bring Everybody – 118 – 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 [118], (118) Lines: 1675 to 1696 ——— 0.0pt PgVar ——— Normal Page PgEnds: TEX [118], (118) just a matter of waiting for the room to clear of all but the two of them. “You perfect bastard, Ray.” “Trish, it’s been twenty years.” Raymond Kiefer develops spatial database software, specifically geographical information systems, real specifically, cartographic data structures, automated mapping—that sort of thing—and he’s made a go of it. She, as he has just learned, is a user of such software, working up hydrological models for a large reclamation project, specifically watershed delineation, catchment modeling, stream ordering. Finding old friends through software is what they’re calling this. At the Greek restaurant, the waiter yells a heartless “Hoopla!” yet presents a well-ignited goat cheese. That and a half-carafe of retsina, the vegetarian moussaka for her, lamb for Raymond. About losing touch, moves, and family, about all that they talk and especially about marriage to lawyers. “How’d we both manage that?” he asks. Raymond has the two boys and litigating wife, Trish a separation from her patent attorney. “Sweet temptation,” he says, when the dessert tray arrives. “I really should skip this. Just more of you talking, Ray, that’s all I need. Remember how I used to love hearing you talk? Did I ever tell you?” He wants the walnut torte if she’ll share. If she won’t share, he still wants it. “And it’s good to hear you’re doing well,” she says. “Could have been better. Wasn’t positioned for that electoral and census info, the redrawing of those congressional districts.” She reaches across to touch his wrist. “Just tell me your day. Tell me about finding my name on the program and what you thought about—all of that. I want details.” He spreads out a wrinkle in the tablecloth with his right hand and watches his hand do that, audibly breathes in, out...