The lab had gradually filled up for the normal session of Interface class, taught by the excellent Thurgood Alfred Glass, who introduced himself as Al but goes by Goody, who is also the program coordinator for pretty much anyone in this course who is about to graduate the EET program this term.
"Alright, a couple of announcements first, nothing you can't handle."
About then, Noreen peeks into the door and Goody waves her in. She's holding a piece of paper and this is the first time Nick has seen her so informal, yet tasteful as always, in tan khakis that taper down to the ankles just above the black flats. She has her hair just clipped midway down the back into a loose tail, with a dark top in the middle and a beige turtle neck, and that winning, kilowatt smile. Her lively eyes appear a cat-like yellow green. But then, who's noticing.
He thinks he should start to get nervous.
"Looks like we'll start with this lovely young lady."
He continues as she does a curtsy, then folds her hands and mouths thank you.
"Gentlemen, seeing as all of you hope to graduate in the near future and are in the throes of your final projects, we're going to continue the tradition of having someone in the English department review a draft of your project paper. I suppose you drew the shortest straw?"
"No I'm just the newbie."
"Gotcha, well go ahead and introduce yourself and explain it better than I can."
"Thanks Al, yes, I am Noreen McDonnell and I’m new to the department, part time, but I am no stranger to tech writing, I haven't taught it here but I wrote manuals and did some editing freelance for a few years. So, for this class, or your papers, we will be setting up a time for you to come over to our office and we'll take a look for spelling, punctuation, grammar -"
"Basically to make sure it's written in English," Goody offers.
"Why...yes that would be fine too. So, um...I'm going to leave this sign up sheet, and, I realize these are not actually due for a while but we shoot for, what, two weeks out?"
"That's about right."
"Good, I'll leave this in his capable hands and I'll be looking forward to seeing all of you. Um, did anyone have any questions?"
Nick, feeling surprisingly courageous, is the only one to raise his hand.
"Not you!" she fires, before going into her favorite impish grin.
Undeterred, "Will we need to bring a red pen as a sacrifice?"
This gets a few chuckles, she looks over at Goody then thumbs over toward Nick. Goody just shrugs.
"I'll have you know that I have an entire cup full of fresh ones, brimming FULL of ink, so bring your worst."
Nick just grins.
"But seriously, I am sure these will be very thoughtful, well organized, you all have been doing this for a while now, so I'm just a second set of eyes."
"That's a good point, guys, how many times with, what, our circuits or programming do we ask for a someone to take a look, and it gets you there that much faster."
"Absolutely, that's a great analogy. Well, I must say they look so eager to run the home stretch, are you just workin' 'em too hard?"
"That must be it, some days I'm about to plug some of them in to the bench supply just to see if it helps."
"Well good luck to you all, see you in a few weeks."
"Thanks Noreen. "
She heads out and Goody takes center front.
"Ok, so along with that, I thought we'd try a new tradition this year. Since you will be stepping out into the world soon, many in jobs and maybe to advance your education, it's good to be exposed to certain things, um, to be immersed in culture, share a fine meal with your colleges in a semi-formal setting."
From the back of the room, "is there any of that within 60 miles of here?"
Goody grins and pauses a sec over the laughter. "Well you can find out soon. I'd like us all to attend the dinner and music the weekend after next."
Silence.
"Now, i realize some of you have work and family commitments, and please talk to me if you do, but I've arranged for free tickets, includes the meal. We'll all dress in our, well, basically our interview clothes for the evening. Yes, it's a classical concert but many of the school leaders will be there, and need I add some influential folks who are part of the job market you are headed into. Questions? Comments?"
After a few seconds, Tall Dave speaks up, "You know, I think this is nice."
There are a couple other affirmations here and there.
"Well thanks for that, I do too, and again, I can't say it affects your grade -"
Someone coughs on purpose, and Goody continues with a knowing grin, "...but it will help establish certain things about you, to yourself, and to others."
Looks around for any more discussion.
"Good? Good. I'll bring up more details as it gets closer and get a head count, but I wanted to give you a chance to set aside the evening if possible."
As the lecture gets underway Nick can't help but drift off station just a bit and think, McDonnell.