Idiot.. Reckless.. Naive

Idiot.. reckless.. naive

now, you are wondering about those traits and now you think to yourself that these traits apply to me .

Of course not.. but this is what the Dean of the Faculty of Science thinks about me and my colleagues at the university

But for scientific honesty, I think that the dean is right... but don't tell him that!!

Let's go back to the usual boring story of my daily life!

I am (Salem) a teaching assistant in the Department of Geology at the Faculty of Science, (Ain Shams) University

I am a peaceful person, I do not like intrusion and curiosity, but I consider myself a curious person in front of science

My nightmare started on December 24, 1996

                                      ...

"  Where is that idiot Salem bring him to me right now "

I was sitting in my office reviewing some geological maps of the Western Sahara region in the Arab Republic of Egypt to find the secretary of the Dean came like a storm to my office and she said while panting (Salem) " I think you made him very angry this time!"

I answered her naively.. Who?

 She answered me".. It's your worst nightmare , Mr. (Azmi) the Dean..."

 Then she smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, I will support you this time as before.

I replied politely, "Thank you, Miss (Zahra)."

Then the smile disappeared from her face and she said to me, "But you must go to the Dean's office immediately, or he will explode in my face when I return without you."

As I walked down the hall to the Dean's office, I wondered why he was so angry this time? And why always me specifically?

Then Miss (Zahra) stopped suddenly and looked at me with pity and said, "Try not to be foolish this time and don't try to talk to him sarcastically. I know that you are right in some scientific matters, but you are not right in everything, and this is what makes the argument between you." Then she went on, saying:

"There are only a few steps left to separate you from the wrath of the Dean. I mean his office.. Good luck"

Then she went to her desk and pressed the intercom button to call the Dean's office, "Mr. (Azmi) Salem has arrived."

 The Dean replied angrily, "Why hasn't he entered yet, is he waiting for an official invitation?"

Then he finished by saying, "Bring me my coffee, please."

Then I entered Hell, I mean the Dean's office, to find him sitting on his wooden desk staring at me with the eyes of a serial killer, Then he put his hand in his pocket.

Then I felt at that moment that he was going to take out his pistol and shoot me in the head While laughing hysterically, and I thought it was the end of me on his hand, but instead I found him taking out a mint pills and swallowing one nervously.

then he said to me, "Finally...the hero (Salem) came, what would the geologists community do without you?

I replied with a smile on my face, "Thank you, sir, I feel that you have finally begun to appreciate my scientific efforts."

Suddenly, Mr ( Azmi) jumped from his desk with the speed of a ninja fighter and grabbed the collar of my suit.

And he explodes in my face screaming, "Are you kidding me, you idiot, do you know what's today's date?

 It is the third of  November. You were supposed to deliver the joint annual report between us and the Desert Research Center on the groundwater level in the Western Sahara today." 

I replied, "I am still preparing the report, but what has delayed me until now is the conflicting data sent by the Desert Research Center team.

 As for the last update of the data and samples, I was supposed to receive them last October, but I have not received them yet."

 Then he left the collar of my suit and went back to his desk and said, "Are you blaming the other team now so that you can release yourself from the responsibility for the delay, you won't be able to evade this time?"

I replied to him, "But sir.." He interrupted me, "I will call the director of the center now."

 so he picked up the phone and dialed the center number and spoke, "Hello, Mr. (Moataz). I am (Azmi), the Dean of the College of Science.

 I am talking to you regarding the annual report. It seems that there is a delay in sending reports and samples from your team." 

Then he paused and listened to the other end of the line, muttering, "Okay. Of course... I will see what I can do. Thank you, my friend. I will update you on the latest developments. I will call you later, bye." Then hang up.

Then he raised his eyebrows and looked at me, saying, "It seems that things will be complicated from this moment." He continued, "The director of the center asked me to send another team of researchers to help them collect samples because they have few researchers due to budget problems and due to lack of time, you will be among this team. And take with you (Adel) from the chemistry department and (Osama) from the biology department." 

My eyes widened and then he said, "Go now to get ready and tell them that they have been chosen to go with you for the mission, while I am preparing for your tasks and I will smmon you later. You can leave now." Then I left In his office, I found Miss (Zahra) sitting at her desk, and when she saw me, she asked me curiously, "What did the dean do to you? I told her, "He hasn't done anything yet, but he might fire you if you don't bring him his coffee now." Then she had a sudden panic attack and went fast, saying "Thank you for reminding me.".

                                           ...

Then I went to the Chemistry Department to find the researchers outside the department room gathered and watching from the outside in fear and anticipation. I approached one of them and asked him, "What is happening," he answer me, "(Adel) is doing one of his crazy experiments again." 

Then I looked at (adel) to find him waving to me and shouting, "(Salem) My friend, come and help me. These traitors do not appreciate the risk I am taking for the sake of science."

 I replied to him, "Let what is in your hand now and let the rest of the researchers complete their work in peace. Come with me. You are the second in the list of executions prepared by the Dean (Azmi)."

 His eyes widened and he got up. Leaving what he had in his hand, And he turned to me and asked , "Who is the first on the list then.. Wait, don't tell me it's you of course." Then I told him, "Hurry up, let's go to the third now." He laughed, "It's definitely (Osama). Did (Azmi) decide to get rid of us now?"

 One of his colleagues commented, "Finally, we will get rid of his recklessness."

 Adel's eyes flared with anger, and he said to him, "I will be back."

                                                  ...

Then we went to the biology department to find (Osama) reading the newspaper while smiling.

 (Adel) asked him, "What makes you smile?" He replied, "I have been reading the horoscope column and it seems that I will hear good news today."

(Adel) burst out laughing and said, "You are still naive, my friend, a superstitious believer " and he continued sarcastically, " Here's the good news (Azmi)  will send us to our execution."

Osama's face turned pale and asked, "What do you mean?"

I replied, "(Azmi) will send us on a field mission to assist the Desert Research Center in our joint research."

 (Osama)  asked  "Why did he choose the three of us?"

I said, "This question has not been answered yet, but the closest answer is what (Adel) said, that he wants a reason to expel us and get rid of the three of us."

Then (Osama) said, "I think (Adel) is right this time, (Azmi) hates us since we were students."

 (Adel) said, "You remind me of the good old days, when they called us three troublemakers."

 Then the three of us burst out laughing and remembered our college days

Then (Osama) asked me, "But you have not yet told us the details of the mission."

I replied, "(Azmi) will summon me later to tell me the details and our tasks, and we have to prepare now."

Then there was silence, as we looked at each other wondering what awaits us tomorrow