Chapter 3: Hastings Research Institute
Summary
- Calvin Evans worked at Hastings Research Institute in a spacious personal lab, unlike Elizabeth who worked in crowded conditions.
- Calvin had a distinguished early career in chemistry but also held grudges, was impatient, introverted, and passionate about rowing.
- Rowing was the reason Calvin applied to Harvard and Cambridge, despite his aversion to rain.
- Calvin struggled with dating due to his inexperience and demeanor, making a poor impression on his scarce dates.
- Upon joining the Hastings Research Institute, Calvin was put off by Elizabeth attempting to requisition beakers from his surplus, assuming she was a secretary.
- Elizabeth confronts sexual discrimination head-on, having experiences with a patriarchal society from her time at UCLA and at Hastings.
- Elizabeth’s assertive manner and intelligence set her apart and sometimes cause friction with her male colleagues and superiors.
- A flashback reveals Elizabeth's assault by her UCLA advisor and her subsequent self-defense, leading to her expulsion from the doctoral program.
- Despite these challenges, including derogatory comments by colleagues and her boss, Elizabeth is steadfast in her pursuit of scientific work.
- Calvin seeks Elizabeth out to apologize for his earlier assumptions, but the attempt goes poorly, although he becomes interested in her.
- Elizabeth recounts her unfulfilled research ambitions to Calvin, who suggests collaborating and outsmarting the system to overcome discrimination.
- Both Calvin and Elizabeth deny wanting a personal relationship and agree to work together professionally, though both secretly hope for more.