High school chemistry. We had workbooks to fill out each day, a task I never did accomplish in advance. (I was a National Merit Scholar, with a 2.67 GPA.) The teacher, Perry Spellbrink would walk past us at the first of class to see if the pages were filled out. His only check.

Before class I'd stand in the hall and write in a number or word. I usually tried to get the order of magnitude approximately correct, and figure out if it was a phrase or word on the others.

Gary Avery used to show up early and stand where I'd do this and copy my answers. I repeatedly explained I was just making them up, that I had no idea what the answers were, I was just filling space. It was always a rushed time, big hurry, no room for chatting, however.

Finally one day he told me, "That's OK. You can figure it out faster than I can."

Gary went on to be an Airdale, flying RB-47s into China as far as they could and as the radars lit up recorded it, then scampering as Chinese fighters scrambled, trying not to get shot down in what was always claimed to be "international waters".

He went on to be a wealthy SoCal real estate developer. I'd like to stand along side him as he fills out his checks, and copy a few numbers.

Arf