Daytrip I

Nick arrives at the near-desolate campus lot with a beach towel, trunks beneath his shorts, a small bag with some tennis shoes, an extra t-shirt and standard issue low-rise briefs. They had agreed on 7:30 in order to soak in all the daylight that could be squeezed out of a summer day. He also had stopped for donuts for the trip, leaving about 77 bucks in his wallet.

Just as he stands up he can hear a mild roar approaching, sees a dark jeep with top down and a driver with flaxen locks blowing all around. Somehow the doubt actually grows as the jeep makes its way right next to him, Noreen just grins beneath dark glasses, and he remembers to grab his shades from the Cordoba as she powers down.

"Whacha think?"

Nick just shakes his head. "Did you somehow plant that little vision into my head subliminally?"

"Would you believe me if I told you?"

"Alright lady, I'm all yours, sorry 'bout your luck."

She had walked around to meet him and he picks her up in a hug.

"OOOHH that's good for my back."

"Glad to be of use."

"Stop it. So, the engine is a bit loud and you know it'll be blowing, here's the deal - ever been to Grant Lake?"

"Heard of it, we used to camp up at Sangchris a time or two."

"Splendid, well this is to the south and east, just over an hour, not quite into Indiana."

"Got it. Can't believe we finally get to get away."

She leans in for a two-beat kiss, "ready? ...set..."

"Oh, does it have a cover?"

"Yeah, its tucked away back there just in case but I think we'll be OK."

They get going, munching on donuts. Nick had been part of this way at some point but most of it was new, all his relatives are along other vectors. Just a few passing clouds so far. He's starting to wonder if there's a V8 in the doghouse, it has the feel of someone's toy, decent sound system too. Noreen had put it on an oldies station at first, eventually they whip out the Stones' Tumbling Dice, one that he'd never really caught before, but sure is perfect for cruising in this weather. Eventually she motioned him to shop around the dial if he wanted, dangerous to offer that to a radio geek type.

At some point he finds En Vogue's recent hit, Never Gonna Get It and she cranks it, he can't tell where the bass is coming from, must be a sub hidden somewhere, but damn it's thick as a poured wall. She grooves and teases the words at him.

The commercial hits quick and he is the first to cut it down, then eventually finds that new Poison track starting up, So Tell Me Why, turns it up some, and she again bumps it the rest of the way. Nick waits for the one line...girl i'm gonna do to ya things that ain't never been done, then runs a finger down her arm. She just reacts to the tickle then squeezes his hand.

After that track he just looks for somewhere to park the dial, finds oldies again, wealth of scenery to take in. He's ever inspired by rides like this, even in flat lands, to some it's all the same but there's always a nuance, a lonely bobbing oil rig, remains of an ancient tractor, rolling fields. He could do without some of the dairy-air from the huge cattle farms but ain't that America. The radio hasn't played that particular Mellencamp tune yet but he sure wouldn't mind.

Noreen has on tan plaid shorts over her navy blue one-piece and a white tank top, and they're both wearing flops. She appears to have gelled her hair as usual, but again, who's noticing. He wonders what she's thinking about, probably in high English accents. Every once in a while she glances over and smiles. One thing's for sure, she's no stranger to a stick shift, jams it around like a senior enlisted base chauffeur. Nick had always wanted to drive a stick but hasn't yet gotten the chance, seems those are less maintenance than an automatic but no one in his family wants to fool with it in town with a lot of starts and stops.

Eventually he sees the brown sign for the public beach access, and she grabs a spot right by the sand, in the shade even. This is why you do this on a weekday, beach has just a woman and her small kids wading a few feet into the water, seems a bit early to get in yet.

"It's a pretty lake," he observes as soon as the engine is off.

"Yeah we used to come down here a lot. There's camping on around that way, and places to eat, hell you could almost walk from here."

He takes a deep breath and gets out. Trunks are sticking to the cheeks just a bit already.

"Anything you want locked in the glove box?'

He sticks his billfold and keys in there, not wearing a watch.

"You'll love this..."

Noreen looks around, then stands between him and the jeep, reaches under her tank top and produces a good size knife in a sheath, probably 5 inches of blade and slips it into the glove box. "Hey, you never know."

"You can take da girl outta da south side..."

"I'm sayin', honey." She puts her small leather purse in there, locks it, snaps the key ring onto a looped rope and puts that around her neck, makes a comical grin to Nick, "ready Freddie?"

Nick can't resist a quick Elvis via Freddie for the chorus, Crazy Li'l Thing Called Love, then doesn't wait for reaction, "By the way what's under the hood?"

In a sultry purr, "Why, you scoundrel."

"We'll get to that, but how bout this beast?" and smacks the hood. It's 70s vintage, not babied but well cared for, plenty stories left to tell.

"Pop the hood and take a gander."

So he does, 8 cylinders, dual exhaust.

"I think it's a 304."

"That sounds right, AMC's five-liter, this could have come from a Matador or such."

"I drove this puppy to high school, but with the original engine, again, my brothers..."

"Well hell of a job, I'd love to redo the Cordoba but you know, too many things with wires, " and then takes several angles of views at the doghouse.

"Are we gonna stand here and yank it all day?"

He slams the hood, "Alright alright, where to first?"

They take slow stroll along the land-pier that extends out next to the beach. Seagulls are in full-on mode.

"Do they have boat rental around here?"

"Yeah but they all have motors I think, I'd rather canoe or do the foot paddles."

"Could rent a pontoon."

"But then how many times would we get buzzed by some stupid water skiers."

"Yeah I spoze. Canoeing is better in a small lake or a river. We did that a couple times with the church."

"That reminds me. Do you still go, to the church?"

"My folks go to a different church than they, well we, used to. Another long story."

"I got time, and I'm curious, I'm supposed to be Catholic but my parents didn't stick with it. They put us kids through catechism but then we just had our own traditions that we try to keep going."

"Yeah my folks started going when I was in grade school, and I never really got it. In fact, well..."

"Tell me."

Nick spots what must be an ill-fated fish that was partially gobbled up by gulls, but pushes that aside and continues, "I ended up in jail a few years ago."

She stops walking and takes off her shades. "Nick?"

"Yeah...it was my sophomore year, our youth pastor Kevin was frustrated with the leadership and the elders, the board...the way he saw it they were just worshiping the status quo - that's how he put it. They couldn't handle new ideas and basically equated those with sin, or communism, or wherever the fuck."

"Nick we don't have to talk about it if it's sore -"

He reaches across her shoulders and draws her close. "It's fine, I should probably get it out in the open, don't think about much anymore...and you're great to talk to about things."

"I'm glad."

He holds her hand. "So, we got to talking and he knew a guy from college with access to some sound equipment, and figured we'd shake things up a bit."

"And how'd that go?"

"We snuck everything in on a Saturday night, didn't get to test it, pastor was out of town so we could keep it all hid. During the service we put in a CD of some sound effects, rushing winds, thunder - we were back there with our heads between our knees it was so freaking loud. Then his friend, had put on a sheet - and this was just plain dumb, but he was going to go out and we would kill the lights and he'd just show up looking like a, well, a returning Christ."

"You didn't."

"Like I said, the idea was to shake things up. Unfortunately it damaged some windows, and - oh, Kevin's friend, who had access to those subs, he had just taken an allergy medicine he'd never taken before, so he was pretty loopy, didn't even get fazed by the sound....OH, and the best part, Jameson's police chief lived two doors down, thought a damn bomb had gone off -"

She had her mouth covered, "Nicky...I know you’re not a radical, but this is so hard to believe."

"Well it's a bunch of idiots getting what they deserved, and, well, I mean the four of us involved, we didn't intend for it to go that far. Some lady had to go to ER with chest pains but she was OK, and...this is awful, but we had a man who isn't all there, if you know what I mean, pissed his pants -"

"Hold on a sec," and she leans against a tree.

"You OK?"

"Yeah, just, wow...."

Nick looks around and hopes he hadn't freaked her out too much. "It's a lot, yeah, and we got picked up and questioned, I called a lawyer friend of mine. After about two hours they told me to go home, I just walked, took my time. Mom and Dad were driving around looking for me, they were just freaked out and worried."

"Oh I bet." She reaches for his hand. "Nick, I had no idea. It seems you and your folks get along wonderfully now."

"Yeah, it was weird at first, they didn't go to service for a couple of weeks, Kevin was dismissed by the board, no surprise, and I, well, I think some of the folks blamed my parents for me being involved, or else it kinda got nasty. They started attending another church and didn't expect me to go, they would ask and sometimes I would, but it's just not my thing, not really into people."

"Well we all have different needs and comfort levels. Sounds like your folks stood up for you and did the right thing - I mean, if I can say so."

"Yeah they really did. And Tim was pretty close to going after the chief asshole on the board who was trying to throw us under the bus, Dad had to stop him. But Tim wasn't really involved at that church, he pretty much ended up wherever...this or that girl went, and then he was off to Uncle Sam soon anyway."

"Your brother?"

"The one and only."

They stroll back toward the jeep and get their towels and sunscreen from beneath the seats.

Nick asks, as they head to the sand, "So, any notable drama in your life?"

"Can't compete, was engaged about 10 years ago, his family was very religious and conservative, I think I was a bit too free spirited, he sent me a letter and called it off. Last I heard he'd gone into the Navy."

"Aren't there all kinds of trouble to get into in the Navy?"

"Yeah don't think about it too hard, I'm pretty sure it was his way of getting out of the house. Nick I'm not really good at talking about myself, but just ask me questions, I don't mind, and if I do mind I'll kick you in the shin and run."

"I thought that means a girl likes me."

"That's if she gives you a wedge. Well, sometimes."

They spread the blankets, she turns away from him to release the beast, first the tank top, then the shorts. He tries not to stare but he's waited so long, she's just fascinating, and, yes being with an adult woman is still a novelty. She starts to turn around and he whips his shirt up and drops his outer shorts.

She smiles and hands him the sunscreen, "I don't think you'll mind," turns around and sits down. He tries to be gentle on her shoulders and neck, top of the exposed back, down both arms as he leans in, and manages to sneak a peck at the nape of her neck while she's still facing downward.

After a slight jerk and ghasp, "Alright sport I'll take it from here, then you need some, that's an order."

"Yes m'aam. Yeah I bet you'd crisp up pretty quick, are you full Irish?"

"Irish, Scots, some German, the usual."

"I think we are British and Irish, maybe some Welsh."

"Anglo-Celtic."

"And then there's Dr. Stone."

"Oh that one, yeah he's the real deal, tepid eyes, but never an unkind moment, I think he taught at my undergrad for a while, but after I was done."

"Where was that?"

"Main campus of the U."

"OHH OK, so you just did the half and half."

"Yeap, I'm a total geek, just kinda blew through it."

"And learned the violin."

"Well that started when I was young, Mom's idea, she loves when I play."

"Should I ask?"

"Yeah...well, Mom is still alive but in a home. She has dementia."

"I'm sorry babe."

She scoots closer and takes his arm. "Us kids take care of things, the way we've always known. Dad passed a few years ago."

"I can't imagine."

"Well, don't, just don't be thankful. Remember I'm the baby and my parents are older."

"So you all took a trip last summer?"

"Yes we did, late summer actually, it was awesome, we got a group rate and we took Mom, probably the last - shoot, I don't want to dwell on that, sorry, but yeah a sister in law took that picture when we were all there, I didn't really want her to but now I'm glad I had one to make for you."

"We both are."

"So do you all live close?"

"Oh too close, some of us are still on the property, it's in a trust, my brothers keep the shop going and I took the cabin."

"Cabin?" Nick lights up.

"Yes, Dad built it back when I was a kid, just to have a place for guests or to hang out. Since my marriage plans didn't work out, for the better, I just gradually took it over and had the phone line put in."

"Is that where you paint?"

This gets a fresh smile. "Sometimes, when I get inspired," and offers another peck. "So, do you have anyone you hang out with very often?"

"Not so much anymore. I used to hang with Vance quite a bit, but then not so much after the, well, what I told you about over there."

"Oh was he part of it?"

"Yeah it sounded fun, but then when shit got weird, things weren't the same. He started playing varsity hoops right after that, I went to some of the games with Dad. We didn't hate each other or anything, just didn't have as much in common I guess."

"Sometimes that happens. Are you close to your brother?"

"Ehh, in all seriousness we keep in touch through Mom since he enlisted. Just started another hitch, he must be worth the space he takes up, wants to make sergeant I guess."

"Sounds about right. Has he made it back yet to visit?"

"I think in a couple weekends. I dunno, with school and stuff, it's all just happening, you hang out on campus -"

"Do you know how many parties there were Friday night?"

"One of the MET guys from one of the towns, I forget, said there was one at some bar."

"Yet both of us went home and got comfortable, at least I did."

"I showered and watched Star Trek on the couch."

She lights up, "The Next Generation?"

"The one and only."

"Oh Nick I never miss it!"

"Maybe we can watch over the phone sometime. I need to catch up on those, all this school stuff kinda threw me off the wagon."

"Maybe we shall, one of these crazy ol' nights. Hey it’s getting, um...wanna cool off?"

Closing

It's Tuesday night and Bain is in town. Nick gets to work in jeans, any collared shirt and his name tag, usually in brown leather shoes. He could go a tad more casual but likes the extra cut above expectation, and keeps him ahead of some of the other part timers.

Recently there had been a tad more shrink in the books and Nick was the only one there who Bain had told, besides the sole full-timer Jim who was the defacto manager, but not officially, just the one who could be there most and who Bain trusted. Nick was in line to become manager but had not been able to make the commitment, and if things worked out with the campus soon he could avoid it cleanly.

So Bain has not filled the manager here but keeps close, and tonight he had one of his hunches. He'd asked Nick to stick in the back and they would watch the floor from the two-way window that was creatively worked into a display at the rear of the store, yet offered close to 90 degrees or so of view.

Things were typically slow for midweek but that's usually the prime pickin's for these types. Nick had only seen one shoplifter, and it was by chance, and was able to get the plate called in. They were outside city limits so you call the sheriff and they usually have a car within a half mile of here to respond. Whenever someone came in they would wait a few minutes to see if they were gonna play the field or stand at the counter and wait for help, so after a minute ten seconds (as not to chime with anyone's internal clock) Nick would emerge and engage.

Around 8:30 the first visit in about 50 minutes happened in, tall middle-aged fellow who walked with a purpose, and seemed to be after something specific.

Nick confirms in a whisper, "he's kinda familiar."

They gave him a couple minutes and he never looked around. Then a woman walks in, then appears to look toward the back for a clerk, and then stands at the counter, checks her watch after a little bit.

Bain whispers, "alright, on my mark go see what she wants, I'll stay on this one."

Nick casually walks out, asks the man if he needs any help, answers a question about meters, then heads to the counter. Turns out she needs a battery for something specific, not sure the size, so they start down that road.

The man heads out and Nick thanks him for stopping by, the man acknowledges, and Nick turns back to the woman. No sooner than he leaves the door here comes Bain running out, "got 'im, call it in."

The standing policy is to not apprehend but to call it in with as much detail as possible, plate, car description and definitely a personal description and, if possible, where they are headed on foot.

Nick excuses himself and dials the sheriff.

The woman, fidgets for a few seconds, looks around, then says, "I can see you're busy, I'll stop another time."

Bain comes back, "he's headed toward the Ponderosa."

Nick starts the report, "Hi this is Nick at Radio Shack, we need to report a shoplifter, headed toward the Ponderosa...yes, he's wearing a..."

Bain leans in, grabs the handset and and continues the sentence, then motions Nick to watch the woman who is leaving. He gets near the door and sees her getting into a car, then sneaks out and gets behind a pillar. She pulls out as to turn facing the other way, and he has no problem getting the plate.

Back in the store Bain is listening, "Red Dodge, TFH 559."

Bain reports this, "get a heading if you can."

Nick steps back out and sees her circling the Pondo. Back in to report this. Nick heads back out and sees the squad car heading in, then another.

About 20 minutes later a deputy steps through the door, holding a $40 test meter. "Does this belong to you by any chance?"

Bain steps up in his proudest moment, "Why yes it does, thank you so much officer, great work as always, do you need a statement?"

So they head toward the back. Later on Nick learns the clowns had tried to ditch it in the bushes outside Ponderosa and had a prior record, and Bain figures they pull this shit to spice up their sex life.

Nick gets home about 25 till 10, showers, turns on TNG but ends up copying a slow Morse code contact around 3.553 MHz, he can tell they are using straight keys and just chat away without a care.

Star 70

 Sunday, June 14, 1992

Modem handshake noises fill the room. Windows are open in late morning and Nick's got the classic rock 94.7 on low thanks to the TV antenna. His folks are at church.

After a modest sleeping in and a bodacious breakfast of Irene's Famous Flapjacks with bacon, Saturday started with a bike tour of Jameson which took him past the Gazetteer building which in turn reminded him they have a dialup BBS number for modems. Since he had no other immediate plans for that graduation money he figured this might be the ticket. There were rumors of other BBS-es locally and it seems the VAX at campus cold be accessed that way, not that he had much use for it at this point, but who knows.

Sometimes these whirlwind-inspiration projects are just what one needs to help turn a corner.

For that PS/2 he wasn't about to pay IBM however much they wanted for that microchannel jive, so the answer was a serial port kind. His employer, to which he'd return at full force at opening tomorrow, only had ISA boards, so it's on to see what Fred had over in the strip mall.

He had known Fred Cribb most of his life. Fred had been his dad's mentor at the plant before semi-retiring into free enterprise, sensing a gap needed filled in the small-scale computing sector. Turns out he was right.

Nick talked his dad into riding along for old times' sake, Ned says, "You really want a deal don't you?"

Pro Digital Systems is in the same lot as Nick's previous gig at Schroder's Value. They hit the door mid-afternoon, it smells similar to Radio Shack for some reason. Fred is with someone at the counter but grins wide, look and shouts "Come on in, boys, look-arounds are free of charge."

So they look around a few minutes then get Fred's undivided attention, catch up, and they look at outboard modems. He has a 4800 baud for about what Nick wanted to spend, but then those are sort of a step-child in the grand scheme and lack some features of the 9600. He only has the 14.4 in internal and those are still kinda pricey.

"Tell ya what kid, I'll be glad to give you the 9600 at cost, and, what the hell, Happy Graduation, 10% on me."

At one point Nick gets around to mentioning he works for Emmett Bain and Fred nearly loses his mind, then surmises,

"Yeah we tried to work together but it fell through, he's awfully good at what he does. Nick you always have a job here if you need it, don't forget that."

Fred also had a good ol' time trying to sell Ned on the need for his own desktop but for now one at work is plenty. Plus he as a geeky college graduate on hand who can handle anything that comes up.

Last night, Nick started to hook it up then realized it didn't come with a cable. Nick recalls how they had distracted Fred with all the bantering and none of them though of it. But then the RadShack employee discount saves the day one more time. He'd gotten the com program set up and talking to the modem, the lights would blink as it clicked and acted like it knew what to do, but at that point it seemed best to not hook in the phone line, his brother usually called on Saturday evening, evidently he can't play cards or get laid.

He switched to organizing his hard drive and dug out his book-bag floppies to see if there were any forgotten games harvested from the campus lab, then played some pinball for a while, then shut it down and headed back out on the bike for the evening watch.

With the house desolate and minimal chance of someone calling, Nick dials the Gazetteer's BBS but getting a busy signal, maybe someone else was out to christen a modem. Fred had given him a few other numbers to try, some out of local exchange but those were a last resort or during night rates. The second number in the list actually connected, at least the hissing noise stopped and he gets a menu. Cool.

A preamble message is welcoming at first but then has a dire admonishment to not just drop session and to always exit from the menu, since an abrupt drop will cause the system to hang up and be unavailable until the admin/sponsor can reset it. For those will call waiting the suggestion is to preface your dialing with *70 for most local exchanges but to contact your phone company if unsure. Evidently this BBS is privately provided courtesy of someone's basement.

Looking around the menu for a few minutes reveals a discussion area, group chat, file uploads, and the namesake bulletin board with subjects ranging from politics to lost animals to various announcements. There's a messaging system, and it asks him to choose a handle to identify. He thinks about this for a bit, too much, as would be expected, but is starting to lean toward exiting out of this for now and coming back to it, when -

He hears a click in the modem, and then realizes he is frozen on the same screen, no key will unfreze it, click-click-click...no response. He hopes his line didn't drop and cause a system failure, maybe it would have been better to disconnect and re-dial using the star, um, what was that code? Didn't think to write it down, crap, now he'd have to try to find it in the phone book.

First he disconnects the phone line from the modem, then plugs it back into his phone to see if there's still modem noises from the other end, but here's nothing, then hits the hook, -

"-ick...Nick, are you there?"

"Mom?"

"Hi Honey, did you want to meet us for lunch?"

"Umm, well, I could -"

"We thought we'd hit the buffet with some of our church friends, they’d like to congratulate you.”

"Do I ever turn down a free meal Mom?"

"Who ever said that? We thought this should be your treat."

Nick sighs.

"Just put on a button-up shirt and look decent, your father and I are going to go for a drive."

"I'll try to find some pants too. Have fun guys, see you there."

He was starting to wonder when it would ever be a good time to use the modem, but then, for only half an hour at a time should be fine. At this point he's definitely glad he didn't choose an identity on that one board yet, yeesh.

Thankfully the phone book mentions the *70 trick if you don't want interrupted, and so he braves up and gets that worked into the connection params for the newspaper's BBS. This errors out at first then he digs out the little manual for the com program and that does the trick. For once he gets an answer and finds a very similar menu but with a slightly more professional feel, similar options, wonder if there's anything interesting on here, but sometimes it's more about the trip than the destination.

Gazing at him from a nearby corkboard, next to Paps' legendary radio QSL card, is a 5x7 picture of a female, an adult female, who'd defied all physics by giving him this photo as she would to a peer. She's slightly more tan than he's used to, in a hazy sun and with a beach behind her, plus, according to what she'd written on the back, the gulf waters from last summer with her extended family. There's more freckles than he remembers but those may have gone the way of last summer's tan. Naturally the water affects her eye coloring in ways he tries to ignore. She appears content, at least for the moment, but lacking the ardor, the spark, the joie de vivre he's come to know.

It's a hell of a pic tho, he'd never seen her in still form, she's a highly kinetic phenomenon, but it does her justice. His mom thought it was beautiful and Ned just added "at's muh boy." The card was from a store this time, depicting a scroll and mortarboard, and sans printing inside, just her phone number. Same area code as his but wasn't sure the town, and the exchange wasn't in their local directory.

Lunch is great, and a modest card from the church office, which is nice. The buffet has those breaded okra, Irene always says she'll make some but then forgets. Nick takes a drive after they settle up.

He's been feeling a bit of urgency to put his hat in the ring for the lab tech position. It would be an honor, Nick admired Brian in many ways, getting to be there but in a super-role of sorts, you get to set the rules instead of follow them, and if you know when to keep your mouth shut people respect you. Ned had already weighed in, his mom was just being her supportive self. It didn't sound like anyone else had been considered yet but no one knows for sure. For a bunch of reasons, some obvious, some not, it just seemed right to stay connected with campus, at least for now.

Nick gets home and reaches for that card on his shelf. He had already talked to his mom about calling long distance, he'd be doing mostly night rates and will cover it when the bill comes.

"Nick, we'll work it out, don't worry, that's what the phone is for after all."

It's the middle of the afternoon on a nice day. He grabs the cordless and heads onto the porch with the number on a piece of scrap, waits a second then starts dialing, then hits the hook. It feels silly to have to mentally rehearse what he'll say if he gets a machine or has to leave a message with someone. He has to push back the the thought of what to say (or think) if a male voice answers.

Nick takes a deep breath and dials. After a couple clicks it rings, but doesn't sound like he's used to, and then,

"Hello you are the lucky seventh caller on the WYOJ contest line what's your name and are you ready to PLAY to-DAY?"

It's a male voice in a rather convincing fully wired DJ mode.

"Um, Nick."

"Well um Nick this is your LUCKY day if you can answer our -"

Then the sound of scuffling, and Noreen's voice in the background,

"You motherf-" then muffled voices and more scuffling, "Nick? are you there?"

"Hey, what did I win?"

"Well you get to talk to me, but my dickhead brother just won a trip through the door - hang on." Followed by about twenty seconds of more hand-muffling.

"Okay, hi, sorry, he comes over here to hide from my sister in law when he's supposed to be doing whatever."

"Oh no worries. So do they live nearby?"

"Too close, another, yeah another long story, I keep saying that but we'll get there. So what's up? Glad to hear your voice, Nick."

"Love the picture."

"Thanks, but you're always too kind."

"No my folks do too, my dad practically congratulated me."

"Well then, I guess I'll take that. But then they don't really know me."

"That will change in time."

"I hope so. Have you been resting?"

"Yea, rode the bike...got a modem, and had lunch with some grandparents, still burping in fact."

"Thanks for that detail. What will you do with a modem?"

"Still figuring that out, just seemed like something to try, got into a couple boards already."

"Yeah I don't think we have any close by here."

"Just where is here? Is it a long story?"

"Not really, I'm about 20 minutes on the other side of campus from Jameson, address is Woho but I'm out in the boonies."

"Woho Warriors. I remember hearing games on the radio, all those snow delays."

"WOOHOOOOO Warriors, our battle cry. So what made you think of me this afternoon?"

He had to pause to not just say something stupid. "Well, I don't think I told you yet, but Goody offered me, well, or told me about the position opening up on campus, for the lab tech."

"Nick! I would hug you, that's awesome. Are you gonna take it?"

"Pretty sure I am. I want to call in and at least leave a message tomorrow, I mean, he told me about it the week before last but I don't want to, you know -"

"Right, if you're pretty certain then might as well, there's probably time to back out if things were to change, right?"

"It wouldn't probably start till August, I'd just keep working for Bain - um, RadShack - till then. Dad says nothing solid has turned up where he works. Dunno, it just seems like this is the thing at the moment."

"Well then it probably is. Happy for you, we'd both be on campus - shit, I...I let that slip, but that would mean a lot to me, this is about you."

"You're sweet."

"If you say so."

"There's something more."

"Uh oh. You're not pregnant are you?"

"Doctor hasn't called yet."

"Well I know it's not mine, so -"

"Goody says they might want me to teach a lower level course or two next year."

"NICK!!" and then what could only be described as an adrenaline-fueled version of the Roscoe P. Coltrane laugh from Dukes of Hazzard. "Oh I could just jump in your arms, that is..."

"Yeah haven't really thought about it yet."

She's still elated, then comes around, "Well...I hope you at least try it, but I think you'd be good at it, better than you might think."

"I'm sure I'd get plenty of good advice."

"We'd all be pulling for you. I can say this, or, even if I shouldn't - well, screw it...I got the impression that Al thinks the world of you, and by offering the lab geek - I mean, *ahem* -"

"Flattery will get you somewhere, dear."

"*PPPTTTTT* bite me", then laughs, "Anyway, you know, if he wants to keep you around for that then he must see it in you, I know I do, others must too. The world needs leaders Nicky, don't cut yourself short."

"Thanks Noreen. Yeah that campus has really become home."

"I totally get that, it's where I started before I transferred away - but that's (he joins) another long story."

They laugh, and Nick speaks up, "Glad it doesn't sound insane to you."

"Well, you know, there will be some days, but after a while you'll know if it fits your calling."  Calling was a word Kevin had used a while back in the context of ministry, wonder if he ever found his, they had completely lost touch.

"I think you've found your calling recently too."

"Well it's definitely gotten a kick in the ass. The spring went well, wore me out but it was a good burn, felt right. Had some good students, we laughed, they challenged me - not in a bad way, but things I'd never thought of before, you know."

"Yeah, seems it  has to work both ways."

"Absolutely. You know if you're around you could maybe audit my class sometime."

"You'd bust my balls."

"Nick you know that audits are just for exposure, there's no grade."

"Still."

"Yeah you'd be at my mercy, get all the tough questions, MWAHHHH haa haa haa haaaaaa."

"That's the stuff.

"So...have you thought about me?"

"Kinda hard not too with that picture."

"How about with the lights out?" This brought to mind when a sitcom studio audience reacts to a juicy line, WOOOOOOOOOO.

"Hmmmm."

"Before you get lost in fantasy land, I hope we can do something soon, maybe make a full day of it before real life kicks back in."

"Wanna hear something crazy?"

"I like where this is going. I think..."

"Last night, falling asleep -"

"Wait, hold on, is this preview for all ages?"

"Oh just listen. For whatever reason I just imagined we were sitting somewhere, no one else around, in the back seat of a jeep."

"A jeep?"

"Yeah, just the basic, a CJ or whatever, with the top off -"

"So I'm topless?"

"Well not at first - AHEM, no, the jeep of course, the vinyl - Oh, I give up."

She's laughing quietly.

"I can hear you laughing lady."

"Oh Nick, not sure if I'll ever qualify as a lady the way I mess with you. But that sounds really romantic. Hey..."

"That's for horses."

"Quiet, you. Are you free this Thursday?"

"I can be, haven't seen the schedule this week but there's always someone else more hungry for the hours."

"Excellent, lemme pull some things - do you have swimming trunks?"

"If I can find 'em."

"Find 'em, if we can shoot for Thursday I'll get you details. That is if you plan to call me again."

"Oh I might. Want my number?"

"Yes I do, I don't want you to have to shoulder all the phone bill, lemme grab a pen -"

After they finish up Nick looks around outside for a few and decides on another bike tour. He parks the phone on the charger, whistling conspicuously.

Irene asks gleefully, "We're you talking to your gal pal?"

"Put it on my tab," as he pecks her on the forehead and heads to the garage.

"At's muh boy," Ned adds.

He takes a bit more turns than the usual route, comes back and makes sure no one needs the phone, then sees where all the *70 trick can get him as the sun lowers outside the window screen.

Star 70 would make a great band name, he muses.

Congraduations

 They had rehearsed outside and got to hold it outside. The weather was scrumptious for mid-June, the kind you take for granted while in the midst of a milestone event.

This had to be the longest walk in history of any commencement, as logistics required the 4-wide train to snake around a couple of buildings. Slow stride for half a mile, you get to take it all in several times over, and this way you get to savor the moment. Once he gets close enough he finds his green-eyed violinist sawing away and turning pages up there in the orkchester. 

His folks had told him where they would be but he has no clue. Tim couldn't get leave this weekend but promised he'd be back soon, joy. He did have an aunt, uncle and a gramma. Back at Easter he told her she didn't have to make the trip but she pinched his ear so that settled it. His aunt an uncle on Irene’s side sent their regrets in a very ornate card with an equally generous check, but the vibe is they just like to show off.

Graduates get to their seats and someone had slipped in a small bottle of wine to pass around; Nick observes it smells like some kind of automotive product and passed on a sip. Then here come the faculty in their regalia, followed by the president, the grand poobah, God he looks like a pope. 

When it comes time for the sheepskins, public service folks go first, then the medical types, including a notable DHT who drew quite a ruckus, tall hourglass blond with all the candy, short skirt and robe open.

At rehearsal she had been getting all the looks and comments, even though Nick was certain he hadn't seen her on campus before, maybe she was evenings, but he would have remembered, geez who wouldn't. They use the library for organizing the processional lineup and that put the handful Police Squad dudes in place before the rest of us, and remember, they are tan from spending a couple weeks in Ft. Meyers at an academy. The library had never heard such a catcall as those dudes, which included a couple from Nick's high school class.

But then one of the MET night students was chuckling after everything calmed down, he had turned to the girl and said, "Oh they do that every time I wear this shirt," and she about fell over.

Nick thumbs through the program, reads through the faculty and adjunct faculty list, the latter of which includes his classmates that had been asked to teach, granted, mostly older students that had started the program before him and weren't necessarily full time.

"And now, candidates for the degree of Associate of Applied Science..."

He gets to stand with the other orange-stoled graduates at the second highest level and can see Noreen holding her hands to applaud from the stand.

He takes his walk and forgets he has to pass the musicians, close enough for her to advise, "Don't trip!" He glances over and she sticks her tongue out.

Well, that part is done, he shook hands with the pope and the excellent Dean Richards, he'd sure come to appreciate her. When Nick started his program her title was director still, but the restructuring of the school had made her a dean, but she was still the same steady, low-key but dedicated presence. Seems her background had led an Engineering team in some company before she got her calling to education.

Remember to remove your tassel before launching your mortarboard. Final blessing. Amen.

You shake hands, exchange best wishes, see you around, even though you usually won't, then head to your family.

Now that the crowd is organizing into clumps it is easy to find 'em. First hugs Mom, shoulder hug from Dad, squeeze Aunt Nell, she's a peach, handshake with his uncle who slips him a folded 5-0, laughs about it and slaps Nick on the arm, then the the best for last, give Gramma June a good squeeze and lift her up without throwing her back out.

They talk about his future plans and the drive over, now nice the weather has been, need more rain, gonna figure things out in coming weeks, thanks for coming, see you soon.

Somewhere in the midst, Noreen had floated in with her fiddle case and slipped a card into the sleeve of his diploma and they did a side hug and he got a peck. "Noreen, (motions) Irene, Ned, Nell, Phil, and Gramma June."

Nick keeps talking to the men but is glad to see her laughing with the ladies, or at least, he hopes that's a good thing. She had taken off her robe and was wearing a white blouse this time, black skirt and the rest is history. Slight wave in the hair and she had it moussed or something. Those are some damn fine knees.

He hadn't gotten the chance to mention the lab position to his dad until now, and Ned said that's probably better than anything he'd see at the plant in the foreseeable future. Phil agreed,

"Kid we're sure you'll kill anything that gets in your way, great job Nicky." Good ol' Phil.

So the trio from up north was ready to head out, his folks talked them into meeting at a decent dairy stand about half a mile from campus. Nick said he might stop by and left it at that, but they all knew.

He took off his robe and mortarboard, and sent it all and his diploma with his folks.

Noreen starts, "Your folks seem great."

"Yeah they've come a long way."

"We need to work on you. Wait, those robes are just the plastic high school kind?"

"The finest money can buy."

"Well I need to drop this real one off, walk with me?"

They take their time.

"So, magna cum laude. Proud of you."

Nick just tries to bury a laugh.

"What."

Leans in, "mamma come loudly."

"Nicholas!" She pushes him sideways, "I need to have a talk with your poor mother."

"Nein. Verboten. So...the tape..."

"Yes I played it last night, more than once, you know I love it. Love the early Eagles, and...I know Def Lep, but some of those...who's the band that does the here I come again? That voice is familiar..."

"It's Tommy Shaw from Styx, he got together with Ted Nugent and one of the guys from Night Ranger, band is Damn Yankees. They're touring soon I think."

"We might have to go."

"Serious?"

"Huge Styx fan, and what's stopping us?"

He just looks at her.

"Ok, I just have to say, that was a...(lowers voice) balls out move...yesterday, and when Dr. Stone got into the act, I almost died, thought you had arranged it with him."

"No that surprised the hell out of me, I thought I was busted, is he a senior prof-"

"Try department head!"

"Oh man that's awesome, I hope you didn't get in trouble."

"He comes straight back to my desk, chuckling, well that was a bit of fun, I believe he fancies you, dear." She does his accent perfectly and Nick about has to lean on something.

"Laugh it up, fuzzball. I turned ten shades of red and I think he had mercy on me and walked away. I could kick your butt."

"Maybe. But it serves you right."

"Oh...yeah, I bet you took some shit for me giving you attention over there?"

Nick raises an eyebrow.

"Well that was very sweet, no one has done anything, I can't remember the last time anyone did something for me like that. I see you shaved, or finished shaving. Not sure which way I like better."

"That green top you had on yesterday made your eyes insanely green."

"You're welcome."

They walked on to the store room and deposited her robe. "Nick were you going to join your group at the thing?"

"I'd rather go there with you."

She beams. "Well I need to stop by my desk, you can join me."

They continue on, she asks, "so rehearsal was yesterday?"

"Yeah, been a long couple of days." Then he proceeded to relate the story behind the star DHT.

"So you got a good eyeful?"

"Yeah she's definitely two eyefulls, but not my type."

"So what is your...type?"

"Never thought of a type, I just know what I like. Either we get along or we don't."

She levels a look his way, "So do we get along?"

"A bit too well."

They continue on through some sculptures near her building, the steadfast Gelding Hall. The crowd is gradually thinning, the sun is low enough to produce the eventide glow on everything, especially her hair. The first kiss happens here, he holds the back of her head and helps support her violin. They embrace until they hear voices, then move on around the building. She scans to unlock the door and they take the elevator, exchanging just conspicuous glances, and slowly stride towards the department. She again scans in and they slowly stroll back to her desk. She gathers her things and he looks out a nearby window. Eventually she leans on his side, the resting sunlight peeking out behind a cloud.

"Nick, there's so many things I want to tell you."

"I want to hear all of them."

"We're both tired, go join your family, I'll head home and crash."

"Howbout we walk slowly to the parking lot."

"Deal."

They head out the same way, and he asks, "Do you have any classes this summer?"

"Possibly, they're waiting on registrar's."

"Do you work anywhere else?"

"I do some freelance stuff here and there, long story."

Nick leans against an elevator wall and touches her hand. "I'm starting to see your point about being tired."

"Well this is a huge release, or relief, we just finished up one hell of a quarter."

"How's it feel to teach again?"

"Not sure yet. Ask me after I do a couple more courses."

"Deal."

Before they leave the building he steals another snog. "Keep it moving, bucko." she warns.

They proceed toward the near-desolate parking fields, holding hands finally. "Are you in a faculty lot?"

"Please, those are for paying customers only."

"Yeah I heard."

"OK, that's me...am I the closest?"

"The white boat? What the hell is that?"

"'76 Cordoba, it's a classic."

"It's not a 400 is it?"

He just throws her the please look.

"Those things are dangerous, guys used to think of them as a booty machine and it would sometimes work."

He gives her an oh really look.

"No, not on me, stupid, can't stand those dipshits who think a girl owes them a good time..."

"My kind of gal."

She takes his arm. "Ok sport, I'm the black Celica over there."

"Sexy."

"Save it, another long story. It's your day, this one's on me."

They head toward the Celica. The breeze is turning cool as it heads in from the plains. She leans on his shoulder again.

"I never thanked you for helping with my paper."

"You know you didn't really need me."

"I do need you. And your notes were right."

Inquisitive look. "I expected you'd give me something pretty solid, I was struggling to think of something to say, and I get goofy like that when I'm nervous."

"Nervous?"

"And tired. Deep down I figured  if you can't handle me you can't handle me."

"Oh I'll handle you."

This earns a look that makes it pretty plain he better be careful of making dares.

Nick lets it go. "So you like the Eagles..."

"Absolutely, hoping they get back together some day."

"I almost put Hotel California on the tape."

She looks at him expectantly, "You better explain that one Swanson."

"Well, McDonnell...it's because, well, after we first met, in my mind, seeing you on the stairs reminded me of the lady on the back cover -"

"Ohhh, the mystery lady..."

"Mmmmmhmmmm."

They make their way to her Celica, she unlocks it, puts her things in there, and he plants one on her solid, doesn't let up for several minutes, doesn't let her slither away, pulls her in air tight. It's the first time he's ever slipped into a trance with someone. No one drives by and honks, just the basking twilight and the gentle breeze. No more glass wall between them.

Eventually he draws a breath and lets her lean on her car. She opens her eyes, wipes off her mouth with a slight swagger,

"Nick if you keep that up you'll be stuck with me."

"I can live with that."

"Get your ass in the car."

She pumps the carb and starts it up, slight muffler noise but runs nice. They head over to his car.

Nick realizes he is running low on energy. "I think you are right about being tired."

"Yeah you said that already."

"I really mean it this time."

"Nick, I hope we can get together for a day thing soon, when we're fresh."

"Fresh works."

"You know where to find me, don't be a stranger."

He leans over, holds her face for a night kiss. "I was hoping the evening would go something like this."

She just holds the gaze and can't decide what to say. "We'll talk soon, dear."

Peck on the lips, he gets out, unlocks the Cordo-beast and gives her another one through her open window, she waves and heads off.

Nick sits in his car, finds his Damn Yankees tape that some girl gave him last year because she didn't like it, rewinds it to the beginning of Side 2, and heads out to the tune of Come Again.

He finds the gang still at the dairy place under an umbrella and they talk him into a tenderloin, the kind that has three times the diameter of the poor bun and looks like a funny little hat, it's delicious, and he's relieved that no one asks him about that gal.

Finally

Friday, June 12, 1992

As per tradition, the afternoon of graduation for EET candidates was spent showing off their projects to the staff and each other. This was an informal deal, since grades had been in a week ago, but expected, and some had already presented at a more appropriate time, such as the evening folks. But the usual list of suspects were on hand.

Nick's hand-down favorite is Bud's coffee maker. It sports a prosthetic plastic case on the side with an LED readout and some buttons.  He'd used a real-time clock to set the time to brew, and as a bonus, if you push a toggle button you can display the temperature of the water and press it again to see the current going into the coil. Granted, Bud is a retired cop who took the program partly for amusement and partly to pursue a leisurely second career in appliance repair, should do quite well and they’ll all miss his stories from days on the beat. 

Most of the group had met if not exceeded their goals or had come close, but others had set the bar high and treated it as an experiment then reported what they learned. Steve Collins had opted to see how far he could get teaching the 6809 to play chess, and so there was always someone siting there with him. Nick realizes he needs to learn chess.

When it comes his turn, he just gives an overview and rolls the tape. Sure enough the cursor starts to jit-jit at those seemingly random intervals and then the announcement lines, more spaces,  and this gets some cheers and claps, then it goes into the meat of the bulletin. Nick could have also grabbed some maritime weather forecasts but had never gotten around to recording any, so we're sticking to what works. But for some reason, probably due to constant wear on the same source tape, the printout was a bit off here and there, such as a bunch of dashes for a table header rendering series of A's.

"AHHHHHHH" fires Goody from right behind Nick and he jumps, looks back,

"You scared me."

Goody just pats him on the shoulders and chuckles. The readout proceeds and Nick explains what we are seeing and mentions there are also weather reports and such to be decoded if one knows where to look.

Someone asks, "Are you going to do any transmitting, to talk to someone with this?"

"Well I don't have my license yet, but might, I was inspired to do this by my granddad, he was always into radio, did it in the service."

"Oh he's passed on?"

"Yeah, a couple years ago."

Goody breaks in, "we're all sorry for your loss and certainly you have done him proud with this, great tribute."

From around the table some agreement, "Good job, Nicko...good stuff."

He's a little choked up, "Thanks guys." After a moment, "so yeah, this is basically the schedule for when they send the Morse code practice...the speeds, frequencies....oh that's nice, 'RTTY, AMTOR, and ASCII in a revolting schedule..." which obviously meant revolving schedule.

This gets a laugh, someone chimes, "Stupid computers."

Nick then fields a couple questions about the modem circuit, the PLL chip, and points out it's all available at your friendly local Radio Shack store, with a cartoonish grin, and this seems to be what earns the final applause. He's done.

Mister Whicker

Thursday, June 11, 1992

There is a small men’s locker room and shower in the Tech Ed building, some of the faculty seem to know the original rationale, but Nick can't remember it, at the moment he's just thankful for the low traffic and four sinks make a great place to shave.

He's known for building up about 10 days' worth of growth before hitting the Barbasol, but this time he'd gone a bit longer. As he just gets started, George King strolls in and toward a stall,

"Don't you have a home to do that in Nick?"

"This is a special mission."

"Interview?"

Thinks for a sec, "You could call it that."

He had found some free time here and there to hit the campus library and see what they had on this Whicker. World Book had a brief mention of Alan Whicker, BBC documentary host who travels the globe, along with a photo from sometime in the 1960s. Bingo. Then the card catalog featured a couple of BBC documentaries available on VHS. It had been a while since his tour of the library but it seems these can be viewed in a room somewhere.

Minutes later he's in the room somewhere watching the real Whicker's World go to the Haight and Ashbury section of Frisco where the hippies were organizing. First he has to hand it to the Python boys for nailing his voice and delivery. Second, there's a lot about the hippies he hadn't known before, good for them. Third, he's gonna need some glasses, hair grease, and a suit nobody around here has seen before.

The first two items were pretty easy to come by, in his parent's stuff. The dark-framed reading glasses were usable for as long as he needed them, and Ned's old hair grease was separating but seemed OK when he tried it on one night before a shower, and didn't stink too bad.

For a suit, well he'd forgotten the hand me down he had in his closet, he had no idea how old it was, dark slate blue with an embossed pattern, but that made it better. Just needed to be two piece with maybe a white Oxford (check) and a crazy wide tie - (check, bless ya Paps). It fit a little tight but that seemed right.

Thanks to that tape from the PBS he was able to bring the VCR upstairs and get the rhythm down better each day, you have to be careful to not go one way to Robin Leach or the other to Howard Cosell. Keep your nose out if it, Whicker should kinda buzz between the tonsils. After a point he even carries on Whickeresque conversations with his parents and coworkers until they walk away. The idea seems to use as many alliterations and turn-of-phrasing as possible, or if that's not convenient then just use more words than necessary.

But it's really about that cadence, and moving the head around to punctuate the beats.

This would be a stretching experience, but life had taught him when to just go for it, those are what make a person. This is one of those times.

He was well aware of her office hours and could just leave the tape with the receptionist if need be, but this felt like a sure thing. It would be in the part of "dead week" when most things are done or being graded. He would get the outfit together after classes are done, shave at the school, change in his car, then showtime.

The shave took a little work with the heavier growth but then he's leaving the 'stache and sideburns, not too shabby. He cleans up, pops on a ball cap and shades then heads for the Cordoba.

Before long he's doing this exaggerated arm heavy walk, and as he gets closer to the Gelding Hall he stops, looks around as if brand new, taking it all in, straightening the tie, collar, checks his looks in reflections, drawing a few looks, but then many wouldn't blink any eye if Madonna were to traipse through in a conical bra and gold-speckle panties.

He reaches the door and someone holds it open for him. He can't focus on the face but stays on the horse, "Why thank you kindly, my good fellow. So nice to see young people still have manners in this day and age." Then just keeps on toward the stairs, no need to gauge reaction.

This time the receptionist is there, "May I help you?"

"Why yes my good lady, I am here to drop something off for a, let me see, a Miss Noreen McDonnell if she would be of avail."

This gets a grin and several looks, "Why yes sir, you'll find her around to the right and straight back."

Whicker nods, "Much obliged, I am in your debt, fair madame," he bows, and straightens his tie as he heads down the hallway in the same conspicuously observant manner.

He finds himself near Noreen's desk and can see someone there, but makes a point to look around just the same. Then he acts surprised to find her there, straightens his tie and lapels, now for the bit he'd rehearsed,

"I bid you a good afternoon, and I thank you once again for the opportunity to make your kind acquaintance the other day. I wanted to stop by personally and offer my sincere appreciation, in all humility, for agreeing to speak with my programme about so-called nerds and their culture, these devious dragons of the dark and dreary labs, holders of knowledge that no one else dares to ponder."

She just stared up at him over a couple open books, as a young girl would. She wore an emerald blouse that made her eyes the same shade, presently in a doe-like admiration, and had cut her hair and put in a slight wave.

"So in appreciation for appearing off camera as to not incriminate your own kind, I would like to present you, at this time, with an audio recording of your contribution to this episode, again with our gratitude for your participation. And may I add that I simply adore what you have done with your hair. But for now I must be off and I bid you adieu, for it is nearing time for my next compelling interview, somewhere, out there."

He hands her the tape, then before he turns she kisses the air while still holding the gaze. He can't help but wink.

Nick remembers to exit just as he'd entered, looking about and fidgeting, then right by the receptionists desk an older gentlemen greets him with a handshake, and in perfect Queen's English,

"Mister Whicker...it's an honor to have you here, I have enjoyed your programme for years, what brings you to our neck of the woods, as it were?"

"Why thank you good sir and quite likewise, I was, as it were, just dropping off a recording for the Fair Miss McDonnell, I hope that this has not been an inconvenience today."

"Oh not at all, are you off to your next interview then?"

"Why it just so happens I fly out tonight to the jungles of Zimbabwe, and I hate to run but don't want to miss my flight."

"Very good, cheerio then."

"And a very good day to you, be so kind as to keep watching!"

Then he turns and nearly runs down the barren hallway to the stairs, where he pauses to gain enough strength to stay in character as far as his car.

After changing back into street clothes and a quick nap, it's back to the restroom to finish shaving and reformat his hair for graduation rehearsal.

Opportunity Knocks

 Nick had been in the lab just long enough to get into a groove when Goody asked him if he had about 10 to 15 minutes. They proceed to his office and Goody shuts the door.

"I didn't do it." Nick starts.

"Hey as long as no one can prove it you're all set."

"Well that was too easy."

Goody just smirks and looks for some papers. "So...how's your old dad these days?"

"Last I saw he's older than ever."

That earns a laugh. "Sometimes I miss it over there. Has he mentioned any prospects?"

"Nothing specific but entry level could open up at any time, seems a lot of changes are on the horizon, expansion...I hear this and that but never sure."

"From what I understand they are taking on bigger and better things soon, and I'm not sure you'd just be limited to entry level."

"Well I don't know -"

"Nick I just got an update from the registrar, if you hold on you'll graduate above a three-nine. That's in the top 2 or 3 of the ET division and my best by a head. Congratulations."

"Wow, thanks, that sounds like good news."

"And remember you haven't slacked at all, full electives including an extra programming language. All that will open doors."

"I'm not very good with doors sometimes."

"So I’ve noticed...alright, here's what I know...now, remember there's a lot in play here, but we are looking at a few positions here at the campus that you'd be considered for, in the upcoming months."

"Oh."

"Yeah, we'd love to have you around. Now remember this is confidential."

Nick sits up in his chair, "Of course."

"OK, well, Brian, (as he points toward the lab tech’s lair) may be moving on soon, he has yet to put in official notice but was kind enough to let us know. It's nearly full-time at 36 hours a week, you'd be full staff, benefits, and report officially to Sue Richards, of course, you know, she's not so concerned about day to day stuff in the lab, so you'd coordinate with me."

"Right...wow."

"Hey, and I think you know about what that entails, maintaining the scopes and the CPU lab computers, some questions from students."

"Poor Brian."

"Yeah...well, he does get a little frustrated at times, but I think - again, between you and me and the doorpost - his temperament is probably better suited for, you know, less interaction and more concentration."

"A cave dweller."

(Chuckles) "yeah maybe, but I think with your easy going nature it should be a good experience all around, you seem to have a good sense of boundaries. It is OK to say 'no' sometimes, since that role is primarily to maintain equipment and not assist students with their assignments."

"That sounds about right."

"Alright, well, in addition to that....as you know, the enrollment has been growing and expected to grow, with estimates that the fall will see at least 5% overall increase over this past year."

"Wow again."

"Yeah, it's terrific. And so you've also been put on a list of those to consider for adjunct instructors, you know, for the entry level classes. These would be mainly evening courses, and should you also take the lab tech position then we would adjust your hours accordingly -"

"That makes sense."

"So what do you think about teaching?"

"Well, had never thought about it. I've had some great examples though."

"Flattery, Nick...."

Nick grins. "Well, you too of course, Goody."

Goody just shakes his head. "Well, I think that covers about everything I'm aware of. Any questions? Oh, have you sent out many resumes?"

"What's a resume?"

"Now come on -"

"I did sign up for the placement and had her, um-"

"Barb?"

"Yeah, Barb, I sat with her and looked over the (jazz hands) ol' rez and then sent out a few to cold companies, but...well,  that was last quarter, I never heard anything back. It just doesn't feel...well, like I am in a huge hurry, that I need to jump in right away. I'm still at RadShack -"

"Oh that's right, I'd forgotten. Is Emmett still running those?"

"Lord help us he is."

This gives him a hearty laugh. "Oh my he's a character...do you get along?"

"Almost too well, he wants to make me a manger somewhere."

"Well, I'm impressed, that would be decent experience on the leadership side of things."

"I try not to think about Bain. He's always got something up a sleeve or two."

"Alright, well think things over and you know where to find me, I'm taking some days off here and there but leave a message."

"So the lab tech, when could that start?

"Well, of course that kind of depends on Brian but we would want to have someone in place by the first of August to get ready for fall. OH, and another perk with that, or at least I see it, you might too, is that there will be down times here and there, when everything is set and working as it should, and, maybe, not that much going on, then you can just, you know, play games or work on pet projects, you know, have access to the equipment that's not being used elsewhere."

"Cool. Sounds about right. I appreciate all this, sir."

Goody nods, "Well you've earned it and we know you'll make the right decision," with that wry grin.

They shake hands and he heads back to lab.