I thought I might be able to work around Robert's departure, and after I explained to George what the software could do, he agreed to take a look. That meeting lasted less than four minutes; George had no interest whatsoever in using a computer to generate quotes. End of story. The project was dead.

I made some effort to contact Robert (thinking that maybe we could resume development on our own) but it seemed that he was now sailing around the Caribbean on a cabin cruiser and could be reached only through his attorney. Not a good sign. When I think of how I spent two years working for about US$5 an hour, I chalk it up to a life experience that made me stronger ... but poorer.

And you can print that.