Psellos asked the magistros Psephas why he sought news directly from him. He could hear it from the wonderful Theodora, or from the philosopher Leon Paraspondylos, who had dashed the hopes Psellos felt when he took over the palace. Despite the philosophical interests he shared with Leon and the humiliating requests he was forced to make, he had only been offered the 3-month (school?) of Papa-Sabinos. He would have to go to his estate at Agros, which was undeveloped. Psephas was to describe his situation to Leon and beg for something better. A second letter also spoke of the contrast between his qualifications and the post offered. Psephas would receive more texts from Psellos than he gave; how much would Psephas pay for Psellos as a slave? how many like him existed in the capital? He was favoured by Theodora: why was he only offered the petty (school?) of Sabinos?