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generations?’
    â€˜No, not necessarily. But as teachers we occupy positions of power. Perhaps a ban on mixing power relations with sexual relations. Which, I sense, is what was going on in this case. Or extreme caution.’
    Farodia Rassool intervenes. ‘We are again going round in circles, Mr Chair. Yes, he says, he is guilty; but when we try to get specificity, all of a sudden it is not abuse of a young woman he is confessing to, just an impulse he could not resist, with no mention of the pain he has caused, no mention of the long history of exploitation of which this is part. That is why I say it is futile to go on debating with Professor Lurie. We must take his plea at face value and recommend accordingly.’
    Abuse : he was waiting for the word. Spoken in a voice quivering with righteousness. What does she see, when she looks at him, that keeps her at such a pitch of anger? A shark among the helpless little fishies? Or does she have another vision: of a great thick-boned male bearing down on a girl-child, a huge hand stifling her cries? How absurd! Then he remembers: they were gathered here yesterday in this same room, and she was before them, Melanie, who barely comes to his shoulder. Unequal: how can he deny that?
    â€˜I tend to agree with Dr Rassool,’ says the businesswoman. ‘Unless there is something that Professor Lurie wants to add, I think we should proceed to a decision.’
    â€˜Before we do that, Mr Chair,’ says Swarts, ‘I would like to plead with Professor Lurie one last time. Is there any form of statement he would be prepared to subscribe to?’
    â€˜Why? Why is it so important that I subscribe to a statement?’
    â€˜Because it would help to cool down what has become a very heated situation. Ideally we would all have preferred to resolve this case out of the glare of the media. But that has not been possible. It has received a lot of attention, it has acquired overtones that are beyond our control. All eyes are on the university to see how we handle it. I get the impression, listening to you, David, that you believe you are being treated unfairly. That is quite mistaken. We on this committee see ourselves as trying to work out a compromise which will allow you to keep your job. That is why I ask whether there is not a form of public statement that you could live with and that would allow us to recommend something less than the most severe sanction, namely, dismissal with censure.’
    â€˜You mean, will I humble myself and ask for clemency?’
    Swarts sighs. ‘David, it doesn’t help to sneer at our efforts. At least accept an adjournment, so that you can think your position over.’
    â€˜What do you want the statement to contain?’
    â€˜An admission that you were wrong.’
    â€˜I have admitted that. Freely. I am guilty of the charges brought against me.’
    â€˜Don’t play games with us, David. There is a difference between pleading guilty to a charge and admitting you were wrong, and you know that.’
    â€˜And that will satisfy you: an admission I was wrong?’
    â€˜No,’ says Farodia Rassool. ‘That would be back to front. First Professor Lurie must make his statement. Then we can decide whether to accept it in mitigation. We don’t negotiate first on what should be in his statement. The statement should come from him, in his own words. Then we can see if it comes from his heart.’
    â€˜And you trust yourself to divine that, from the words I use – to divine whether it comes from my heart?’
    â€˜We will see what attitude you express. We will see whether you express contrition.’
    â€˜Very well. I took advantage of my position vis-à-vis Ms Isaacs. It was wrong, and I regret it. Is that good enough for you?’
    â€˜The question is not whether it is good enough for me, Professor Lurie, the question is whether it is good enough for you. Does it reflect your sincere