Johnson: Ouch! That's all we'd need! I hope you are misjudging Al.
Eden: I hope so, too, but the Tact remains that I have no means of measuring his progress and have
only his word for assurance that we are on schedule. You know the blood will be on my hands if
we miss our dates. I'm plenty worried.
Johnson: Well, for peace of mind, if nothing more, we have to determine the status of the operating
system. After all, our schedule for the entire test facility is based to a large ex tent on Al's end date.
If you had his file on the system could you do a sufficiently comprehensive analysis of the
contents to establish our position?
Eden: Possibly, but I doubt it. Ed Hall up in Allentown would be in a much better position to do it
since he has had a great deal of general opera ting system experience. But I know if you call in Hall
for that purpose it'll make AI mad.
Johnson: You're certainly right about that! However, if Hall would come down for a visit on a related
matter, the progress report might be obtained as a by-product. With his work on sys tem
simulations, there should be plenty of common ground on which the two of them can get together.
Eden: That's a thought.
Johnson: Suppose I discuss the matter with the boss and see what we can cook up.
A visit with Hall was arranged. As a result of some rescheduling at headquarters, it was
convenient to shift some work associated with the Florida testing to Allentown. Abrams had
originally planned to do this work after completing the main operating system. The stated purpose of
Hall's visit was to coordinate the transfer of this small block of work. After making the arrangements,
Johnson called Abrams i11to his office and informed him of the plan and the reasons. Abrams thought
it was a good idea and promised to help-in any way possible. After the visit, Hall assured everyone
that Abrams appeared to be making satisfactory progress and that for the present, at least, he had
every chance of meeting the schedule.