The Browning Version 2014 Screen 20

Andrew

Mr. Gilbert?  Who is that?

Dr. Forbisher

Gilbert is new to this campus.  This will be his office  I thought he might want to see it, and you could show him  where things are located.  The copy machine.  Things like that.

Andrew

I'd be happy to.

Dr. Forbisher

I think I've told you about him.  He's pretty well-known in our field.  He's written textbooks that are pretty widely used.  Presented at conferences.  

{In the play, Dr. Forbisher compares Gilbert's success with Andrew's own early distinctions and accomplishments.  I doubt that the 2014 Dr. Forbisher would even know about any of Andrew's accomplishments.}  

Andrew

As I once did.

Dr. Forbisher

Is that right?  Before you spent all your time...tutoring...students like that one who just left.

Andrew

And I ...published.

Dr. Forbisher

And now you devote your time and energy to teaching remedial students a week after classes are over!  Good for you!  You really have worked hard.  You've always tried--

{Before Dr. Forbisher became the chair, he was on an evaluation team for Andrew and used a lot of tries.}

Andrew

Didn't I teach you that?  That try business?

Dr. Forbisher

Pardon?

Andrew

I remember back in the days when we were what I considered friends that I told you about the strategy of using the word try in a recommendation if you wanted to communicate an absence of enthusiasm.