Oxford University

by Ed Nelson

  Mr. Norman told me that it opened possibilities for the Messenger Service. They were mostly comprised of retired military personnel that traveled on commercial airlines. A young man like me with my own transportation might help when needed quickly.

  We went on to talk about what university I might attend. I told him that I wanted to look at the Engineering program at the Imperial University in London. He asked me if I was actually in a hurry to obtain an Engineering degree.

  I thought that an odd question.

  He explained, “Richard from what I know you will never actually hold a job, well I guess your singing and acting are jobs, but you know what I mean.”

  So the question becomes why are you going to school? For a man there are two valid reasons, obtain a technical degree to earn a living, or make contacts which will stand you well in later years. Which is the most important to you?

  I had never looked at it that way. It was similar in reasoning as Mum had put it in the past, socialization and relating to my peer group. I started to open my mouth and remembered something else I had learned. If you have time, don’t make a decision until you have given it mature thought.

  “That is a lot to think about Mr. Norman. What you are presenting is similar to what my parents have talked about in the past. I have to think this through. In the meantime, I will take the evaluation exams to see where I stand. If I do poorly this may be all for naught.”

  At least he laughed at that.

  “I don’t think that will be a concern, Sir Richard.”

  He glanced at his watch. “

  “We have an appointment with Her Majesty in five minutes so we had better move on.”

  This was news to me.

  Her Majesty was very welcoming. She asked the usual questions about my trip. She then came out with the real reason I was here with her.

  “I understand from your Mum that you are undecided in which direction to go with your education, a technical degree or an opportunity to socialize with your peers.”

  Well, I didn’t have to give this any more mature thought. Mum and Dad were pushing in a direction and were joined by the Queen of England the writing was on the wall. Next, I would be getting a phone call from the President of the United States.

  The Queen continued, “In my last conversation with President Eisenhower your name came up. He agrees that it is important for you to make acquaintance early on with those who you will be dealing with later in your life.”

  “What would your Majesty suggest?”

  “If your exams go right, and I’m sure they will it would be most pleasing if you applied to University College at Oxford.”

  I heard the royal ‘We’ in that sentence.

  “If they will accept me I will consider that.”

  “We are certain they will.”

  Well, that fix was in.

  After that, I was dismissed. I made certain to back out of the room. Fortunately, the door was nearby and I didn’t tip over any vases.

  I was driven back to my hotel where I collapsed and thought about what had transpired this afternoon. The way I read it, my parents had connived with the Crown to get what they thought best for me. Maybe they were right. I noticed recently that my parents seemed to be getting smarter than they were several years ago.

  After dinner, I worked formulas from my book on Statistics. I could see where this could be very handy when trying to interpret a mound of data. Another good thing about statistics, it can put you to sleep easily.

  Chapter 4

  Wednesday morning after my morning routine I headed to my appointment with International Testing. Unlike California where my sport coat and polo shirt were normal in England, it was suit and tie. Informal was not wearing the waistcoat.

  I was informal for my interview. My appointment was with a man named Mr. Clark. He had me describe my education to date. He frowned and smiled so much while I was describing it I had no idea how it was really being received.

  He was able to put my worries to rest, or at least calm them.

  “Sir Richard you appear to be very driven with self-education. There is no doubt this is the best way. The only question is did you learn the correct material.”

  After discussion, it was decided that I would take the evaluation examinations for English Language, English Literature, Modern History, Latin, Economy, Spanish, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Science (including Physics). He was a little taken aback about my refusal to take a Music exam.

  Each of the exams would be one and a half hours; the real exam would be three hours. I was asked when I could sit for them. I responded that I was ready today. Since these were only evaluation exams they were able to sit me in a room with the testing materials along with a proctor.

  After writing a cheque for an insanely large amount, at least in my experience, I was allowed to start the tests immediately. I wrote the English Language portion before lunch. I had an hour break for lunch. I had a pot pie at a pub next door. After lunch, it was English Literature, a half-hour break then Modern History. They were being given in the exact order I had discussed with Mr. Clark.

  I felt that I had at least passed each of the exams. Did I pass them enough to be recommended for the full examination? Time would tell. Since it was my money I was free to pay for and take any of the exams. They were giving their estimation of my ability to pass the full exam. It was all at my risk.

  I had no problem falling asleep at an early hour.

  The next morning I went through my normal routine then appeared at International Testing or IT as they called it. Two exams in the morning, two in the afternoon and I didn’t have two thoughts to rub together. I went for a long walk by the Thames after changing into comfortable clothes. It was raining and those umbrellas that I had been sneering at looked good all of a sudden. I might carry an umbrella but never the homburg.

  Friday was damp, to say the least. I took a taxi to Harrods and bought an umbrella. From there it was to IT for the last of my exams. By the time I finished the last one brain dead was too kind. Not only did I not have two thoughts to rub together I’m not certain I had even one. I was to come back Monday morning to review the results and decide on a further course of action. I would either take revision courses to pass at least seven O-levels or if I passed seven the evaluations tests for A-Levels. I felt confident about passing enough O-levels that I could take the actual exams.

  It was nice to have the weekend off. I went for a really long run around Hyde Park. There were several groups of riders but none of them had a horse with a large white blaze on its face. I ate lunch at a small outdoor café on Piccadilly Circus, on or in I’m not certain how to say that.

  There were street vendors galore with interesting and not so interesting items. I picked up small gifts for the family. Nothing exciting just things from England, I bought Mum a set of Coronation Flags from every King and Queen back to Victoria. Dad got a whistle from World War I which was used to signal going over the top of the trenches for an assault.

  I looked at the adverts in the Daily Telegraph for flats to rent. Staying in a hotel was already getting old. After reading the ads I was more confused than ever. I didn’t know the neighborhoods in London and besides that, I realized I had no idea of how long I would actually be in London.

  It was late enough in the day I called home and talked to my parents for over an hour. That would be some phone bill. I didn’t care because they helped me in several ways.

  After a thorough discussion of the benefits of going to Oxford vs. trying to start at London Imperial immediately, I realized that maybe I was pushing too fast. Why not settle into college life without the academic pressure?

  Of course, it all depended on how I did on my O and A level exams.

  Another thing I hadn’t thought of, was renting a full suite here at the Plaza. Apparently, on a long term arrangement, you could redecorate your rooms and even replace the furniture. As Dad pointed out I could afford the rooms fo
rever if I wanted. It would be very pricey but I would always have a place available in London.

  I decided that I would talk to the Hotel Manager and see what could be done.

  Not one to put things off I went to the Lobby after hanging up and telling everyone in the family I loved them.

  Since it was the weekend an Assistant Manager was running the office. When I explained what I was looking for he had all the answers. Expensive answers but good answers. There was a penthouse three-bedroom suite available with separate living and dining rooms. There was also a full kitchen. He took me up to show me the rooms.

  What he hadn’t mentioned they were large rooms. The furniture was too heavy for my taste but I was assured they could put it all into storage while I used whatever I wanted.

  There was a large patio off of the living room. I mentioned it was a shame there was no swimming pool. The Assistant Manager laughed and told me the old girl (the hotel) couldn’t stand the strain. There were also two reserved parking spaces in the parking garage that went with the room plus valet parking privileges. There would also be the normal hotel room services continued if I wanted to host a party that would be by special arrangement.

  That all sounded good. The suite was available for a mere ten thousand US dollars a month. The Assistant must have thought this price would freak me out. However, I knew what was paid in Hollywood and at the Waldorf in New York so I was prepared for the price. Knowing all that I had time to think about my finances and realized it would be no strain whatsoever. Based on that, I told him that I had to see some exam results on Monday, if they were as anticipated I would take it.

  Changing into jeans, and a sweater I then went to the movies. I had so much to think about I don’t remember the movie. After dinner, I pulled out a new novel. It was about a Monastery in the American Southwest which was preserving scientific knowledge after an atomic war.

  Sunday the sun actually peeked out so my morning run was pleasant. There was still no sighting of the horse with a large blaze on its head. I had pretty well gotten over my peeve of the reckless rider. It had been a foggy day with poor visibility. I still wondered what the girl looked like.

  I wandered the streets of London for the rest of the day but nothing really caught my attention. Well, there are a lot of pretty girls in London and it was a sunny day so it wasn’t a waste.

  When I returned to the hotel the Assistant Manager was waiting for me.

  “Sir Richard you will understand that we took the liberty of making certain you could afford the penthouse and that your parents would support you. We didn’t realize that you are emancipated and have the funds in your own right.”

  He must have spoken to Mum.

  “I’m very sorry if you are offended by this but we needed to do due diligence.”

  Yep, he had talked to Mum.

  “I understand, you have a business to run and it is a large sum of money.”

  “Thank you for your understanding, Sir Richard.”

  He gave a deep bow when he said this. It was so deep I thought he would tip over.

  Now I know he had talked to Mum.

  I asked him if they knew of any decorators that could help me redo the suite and purchase new furniture. Of course, they did. The decorator would be available as soon as we signed a contract. I told him that I hoped it would be tomorrow afternoon. I would know where I stood with my exams by them.

  This led to a brief talk about what exams I would be taking. He seemed impressed that I was considering eleven of them if my evaluations came out.

  After that, it was to my room to finish up the book about the Monastery and an early night of it. I was anxious to see what the morrow would bring.

  Chapter 5

  I was waiting at Testing International’s door when they opened on Monday. My appointment was the first thing and I wanted to know how I had done. Mr. Clark followed me in the door. He didn’t seem surprised that I was already there. I asked him and he replied that many a student was there before the doors opened.

  As we walked to his office he told me, “For you, it’s good news, bad news situation.”

  With a sinking stomach, I asked for the bad news first.

  “You can take all of the exams. The good news is you passed all of the evaluations.”

  I may have shot people for less or at least thought about it.

  In his office, he went over each of the evaluations with me. The only ones that appeared to be on the edge were Additional Mathematics and Biology. Neither was a surprise. I had done well enough they encouraged me to take all of the exams but if I were to have trouble it would be on those.

  Eleven three hour examinations, whew! Mr. Clark encouraged me to take one today and then no more than two a day and leave a day between exams. If I started today it would take all of the next two weeks.

  As much as I wanted to get them over with, that schedule made the most sense. When we talked about the order I only asked that the Biology and Additional Math be left until last. That made sense to Mr. Clark and he even offered me study packets for the two courses that were directed at the exam.

  We agreed on English as the first exam. Since I had hours until lunch and the exam he set me up in an office with a study packet. This set the pattern for the next two weeks. I would go over the study packets for a specific exam. In my other free time, I was working on Biology and Additional Mathematics. I was worried about Biology the most as I wasn’t in a position to cut things up was done in a formal class.

  On Monday after my first exam, I did get a contract signed with the hotel. They would start the process of emptying the Penthouse Suite for me and painting it where needed. Since the walls were all a neutral white I had no issues. I put off talking to a decorator until after my exams were done.

  I spent every waking moment either, exercising, studying or taking exams. It was as an intense period of my life that I could remember. Thinking back to final exams in Bellefontaine they were nothing.

  It seemed to take forever and seemed to fly by. I finished up on a Friday afternoon and had to wait until Monday for the results. Again I was at the front door when they opened. This time Mr. Clark had beat me in and was waiting in his office. He didn’t try to make it suspenseful this time.

  “Rick you did well on all of your examinations. Your worse grade was a C in Biology.”

  “You received an A in English Language, English Literature, Modern History, Latin, Economy, Spanish, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Science. Then there is a B in Additional Mathematics and a C in Biology. Overall passing eleven O-Levels are very impressive results. This would be the top for a person in year twelve.”

  “So what should I do for A-Levels?”

  “If I were you I would take all of those you received an A in.”

  “Did I miss an A in Additional Mathematics by very much?”

  Mr. Clark reviewed the exam and results and told me no, only by three points.

  “Then I think I would like to take it also. I suspect Biology is hopeless.”

  “Your C is a low C. I think we can count that out.”

  “So should I do the same sort of schedule as the O-Levels?”

  “That would work but I want you to take the next two days off, the last two weeks have been very stressful on you. I know you had the weekend off, but you had to be thinking about the exam results. We have found students do better if they have some time to decompress.”

  “I can’t argue with that, so I will be taking two exams every other day starting on Wednesday?”

  “Yes, that will finish you off, Friday week.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “What are your intentions for the next two days?”

  “I’m going to practice archery, quarterstaff, and swordplay. I thought about studying but that would be self-defeating at this point.”

  “Good, I’m glad you understand. If I may ask where can you practice in the city?”

  “I usually go to the Tower or a Queens park outs
ide of town.”

  “You must know someone of influence.”

  “Queen Elizabeth is my Godmother.”

  “That would do it. See you Wednesday morning here at nine.”

  On the way back into the hotel the Assistant Manager caught me. They had the rooms cleaned out and repainted, would I like to see them. Of course, I did.

  The rooms were enormous without anything in them. I had been window shopping on my walks through London so I had an idea of what I wanted. The rooms would look like 1960 rather than 1860.

  In particular, there was an Eames Lounge Chair in brown leather that I had to have. The furniture by Jacobson and Saarinen is particularly nice while a Knoll Couch would be perfect.

  I asked if the Decorator would be available tomorrow. She would. From there I changed clothes and called Mr. Norman. I owed him an update on my test results and it also gave me a chance to ask about going to the tower to practice quarterstaff work.

  We chatted for a few minutes and hung up while he made another call. Calling me right back he told that there was nobody available for the next several days. That took care of that thought.

  So it was back to the good old run until you are ready to drop. It certainly took my mind off the examinations. After that, I called Jackson House and updated them on my exams. I received words of congratulations and encouragement from the family.

  Mary wanted to know when I was coming home. I told her it would probably be a few more weeks. The way she sighed made me think my little actress had gained a new talent. I asked Mum about that and she confirmed my thoughts. Mary had been practicing sighing for several days. Would I like her shipped over to me?

  Tuesday was a nothing day. I tried running but was bored quickly. Returning to the hotel I tried reading fiction and studying, neither worked to distract me. After lunch, I met with the lady decorator. My first reaction to her was that she was a snob. Once we got talking furniture and going through the catalogs she had brought with her she was a different person.