All the characters in this story are at least 18 years of age...
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Four years ago, Professor Johnson had made the decision to leave his position as a senior executive with a Fortune 50 firm and to take a position as an Executive in Residence at a prestigious California university. His motives were good: he had only a working class upbringing but had managed to go to college, graduate at the top of his class and gain entry into the management training program at the company. After decades of hard work, he managed to finally arrive into the executive suite and enjoyed the perks of having done so. He was making more money than he had ever even fantasized about, had a big office with an attentive administrative assistant right outside his office door and was set for life.
But, as soon as he "arrived", he realized that something was missing and that was a connection to the next generation of leaders. As a result, he decided to leave his executive post and accept a two year position as an Executive in Residence at the University. He was told that his duties would be light. He was primarily to be available to business students as a mentor as well as teach a single course on leadership development. He threw himself into his role with gusto and was immediately a hit. Students regularly sought him out to discuss their future business plans, discuss job options and, increasingly, discuss more personal issues with him.
Along the way, he discovered a fringe benefit of his role. Scores of students were eager for his connections and his recommendations were highly prized by the students. A single word from him could get a student an interview and then a job at a top flight company. Conversely, another word for him would result in a student being blackballed from the best companies and forced to take a job with a lower tier company.
As a result, he found himself to be very popular....particularly with the females. He discovered this by accident one day. He was having a closed door meeting with a despondent senior who was about to graduate. Her grades were solid but unspectacular and she did not have any meaningful work experiences. Her only hope was a recommendation from him and both of them knew it. And, based on her resume, she was unlikely to get it. After all, Professor Johnson had his reputation to protect and he didn't want to risk it with this woman.