Something for Nothing

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A young economics professor navigates the challenges of securing a tenure-track position while striving for a balanced life. David Fox, a Visiting Assistant Professor at Kester College in Knittersville, New York, faces a stressful year. His temporary role at a small college far from urban amenities leaves him feeling isolated, and his students are unfamiliar with foundational texts like Freakonomics. While he believes he’s improving as a teacher, he finds himself distracted by a flirtatious student in his Economics of Social Issues class. His research stagnates, and the looming job search feels daunting, especially after witnessing the fate of the previous visiting professor, now working in a bookstore. When a right-wing think tank, CROSS, expresses interest in publishing his graduate paper on high school abstinence programs, retitled "Something for Nothing," David sets aside his reservations, motivated by the need for publication. However, he soon grapples with a personal dilemma as the validity of his findings comes into question. The academic year brings further challenges, including faculty politics, a budding romance with a local, and the pressure of delivering a pivotal job talk. David's journey serves as both an instructive guide for aspiring economists and an engaging tale about balancing career ambitions with personal integrity, loyalty, and desire.