Chapter 1 - A Degree of Futility
May 2002. Lily wakes up to her evil alarm clock on the morning of her PhD exam. She's almost late because one of her best friends, Simon, calls from England where he's on a postdoctoral fellowship. As she gets ready, her graduate school career flashes before her eyes. She realizes that her life is about to change. But she's not sure whether it will get better. Or worse.
Read by the author. Sound engineering by Joseph Doane.
Chapter 2 - A Degree of Futility
Lily's doctoral exam has ended and she's asked to wait outside the room while the examiners deliberate. She sits contemplating their verdict when she hears rustling papers. Walking along the deserted corridor, she finds her friend Greg, surrounded by all her course notes and drafts.
Read by the author. Sound engineering by Joseph Doane.
Chapter 3 - A Degree of Futility
Exhausted after the exam, Lily goes home to rest before she meets Greg for what she believes will be a celebratory dinner with just the two of them. But Greg has other plans.
Read by the author. Sound engineering by Joseph Doane.