...
United States, Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, outside Edward Witten's office, Roth Dugan was tidying up his umbrella.
Autumn in Princeton is the rainy season, and unless there were special circumstances, on rainy days like this, the editor-in-chief of the Mathematics Annual and dean of the School of Mathematics rarely ventured out. Staying warm in his office, reading papers, was his ultimate pleasure.
But Edward Witten counted as a special circumstance.
Although he wasn't particularly fond of the physicist who had won a Fields Medal, Witten's status warranted occasional bending of rules. Not just because of the award, but also because the Mathematics Annual often relied on Edward Witten for reviewing manuscripts.
Especially in mathematical physics—Witten was undeniably a leading figure in the field.
After three polite knocks—"knock knock knock,"—lazy to wait for a response from inside, Roth Dugan pushed the door open directly. He had been polite enough.
