When Johnson had occasion to leave the office for several days he made it a practice to
designate one member of the permanent staff responsible for the operation of the test facility. On one
such occasion Jerry Franklin, who generally filled this spot, was playing bridge with several other
members of the staff, as was the lunchtime custom. As the group was completing the final hand, Bill
Eden walked over to the group, who were sitting around a desk that served as their card table, and
observed for a minute or two. He cleared his throat a couple of times and finally said, "Don't you
fellows think it's about time you all got back to work?"
When the group did break up, Eden followed Abrams over to his desk, and said, "AI, I'd like
to get a progress report from you. Would you let me have the parts of the system you have
completed?"
Abrams's reply was to the effect that none of the work was in such a form that it would mean
anything to Eden. He maintained that he had a series of notes in his file that contained the rough
outline of the system and some finalized elements. He stressed that, in their present form, they would
be valueless to Eden and were more likely subject to change in any event. Eden was nevertheless
insistent. The level of their voices rose. After several heated exchanges in which charge and
countercharge were hurled, Eden stalked off.
When Johnson returned the following day Eden stopped in to see him.
Eden: If you've got a minute there's something I'd like to discuss with you.
Johnson: Sure thing, pull up a chair.
Eden: Well, I had another run-in with AI the other day and, frankly, I'm worried. He just will not
give me anything concrete in the way of a progress report. He maintains that he is making
satisfactory progress and will tell me if he feels he is getting behind.
You will recall that when he made his original estimate of how long it would take him to do
the job, I made a point of letting everyone know that I didn't agree that he had allowed sufficient
time. Now with his reluctance to let me see what he has done, I'm more convinced than ever that we
will not finish on time and that he is hiding the fact. Every time I try to find out where we stand he
gets temperamental on me. And if there's anything I can' t stand it's a prima donna! When he finds
that time has run out he' ll probably up and quit on us.