Achille smiled wryly. "All that matters is physical cheri? My friend, even you must possess some semblance of sentiment. Your disdain, for instance, surely this is an indicator of some form of personal belief? You cannot be utilitarian and unsparing to yourself, my dear."

Silence passed awkwardly, generic birdsong rustled in the trees. With a weighty sigh Achille turned to face the river, flopping lower in his seat.

"Really though, one cannot expect to live like a hermit for time immemorial; a person would destroy themselves. The fact is my dear that you have taken much from us, from me too; from my department; resources, manpower, finance, and much more. My dear, we're hedonists here as in a sense, are you. You, who treasure your research with so great an intensity you smuggle it out of the perception of the very people who back you; we're not idiots cheri."

He sighs, sliding onto his feet to indicate his passing as if the moment called for it; and it did at that.

"Susan." Achille unexpectedly spoke, nodding to the subject. "You cannot remain a hermit, nor the egotistical self-obsessive introvert that you claim to be. The world, my friend, is there to be claimed, but to the world we are Gods. Any claim you lay on our resources requires a return... it's own special tithe as it were."

"There is a crux in our relationship. Whilst I, do, in fact rely upon you as a member of my research team to provide towards the betterment of the Commonwealth and yourself as a person, you execute neither. Instead you choose to isolate yourself, to render yourself separate. Think of it this way, Susan; a half - built bridge will only collapse. We've made our effort to connect with you, it is true, think of what we're doing here now, but your only return provision is scorn. Think upon that Cheri, before you go kegging yourself up in that little lab of mine again."

He yawned widely, showing teeth, fists tight.

"I've left a note on your desk elaborating upon the circumstance in which we find ourself. If you wish to shake the hand we are offering you then by all means merely lay it in my office in the manner to which you are accustomed".

Achille set along the path, gaiety shrouding the edge is his tone.

"I think we'll be seeing each other very soon, cheri. The rest, well, is down to your dignity."

"Au revoir"!