Chapter Thirty-One
From: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
To: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Alice,
I'm following up on the issue we discussed the other day, the one about Tommy and Helena.
Have you talked to them about what they did at the school pool? I recently saw them kissing each other against some lockers even though there were several other students around. It doesn't seem that they've learnt privacy so I'm wondering if you've had a chance to talk to them about the matter.
Other than that, I hope you've been doing well. Your performance review is coming up soon, and I trust that you will do extremely well for it. If anything troubling comes up at work, feel free to approach me about it and we will come up with an appropriate solution together.
Best Regards,
Keanu
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From: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
To: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Keanu,
I'm surprised to hear that Tommy and Helena did that, since I have talked to them about the incident at the school pool. I think I'll have to have another chat with them. Thank you for alerting me to this, it is much appreciated.
As for the performance review, I'm looking forward to it and I'm honoured you think I'll do well for it. Also, I don't have any issues at work at the moment, but I'll let you know if anything comes up that I need help with.
Warmest Regards,
Alice
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From: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
To: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Alice,
Congratulations on the generous bonus! You deserved it, and I hope you know that.
First, I want to thank you for managing to resolve the issue with Tommy and Helena. They came to me to apologise for their tactlessness because they felt guilt stricken by your words of reproach. Their relationship is still going strong, but they've kept the displays of affection private.
That said, I have a separate issue to alert you to. As you know, Mr Smith was recently fired because we discovered that he had dallied with a student. I've taken steps to make sure this doesn't happen again, and I can't help but notice that one of your male students, Jeremy, has taken a liking to you. I feel the need to remind you to be wary of him and to keep a professional distance from him.
Best Regards,
Keanu
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From: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
To: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Keanu,
Thank you for congratulating me.
I'm pleased to hear that Tommy and Helena made the effort to approach you and apologise. But about Jeremy, I can assure you that he does not like me. I assure you. He's just one of my better students who enjoys having intellectual conversations with me.
Warmest Regards,
Alice
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From: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
To: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Alice,
Thanks for the assurance. I appreciate the continued excellence in your dealings with your students.
Best Regards,
Keanu
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From: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
To: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Alice,
Sorry for the consecutive email. But I was walking past the cafeteria earlier and happened to pass by the common study area, and I saw you talking with Jeremy. I'm only asking for official documentation, but what did you guys converse about?
Best Regards,
Keanu
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From: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
To: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Keanu,
I didn't see you pass by, why didn't you stop to say hello? Jeremy is a wonderful conversationalist and he has many great insights on my subject, which I know you're also interested in. If you'd like, I'd love for you to join in on one of our conversations.
Warmest Regards,
Alice
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From: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
To: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Alice,
I apologise, but I don't have time to converse with a random student. I am, however, still waiting on your account of what the two of you discussed during that conversation earlier. It seemed to be incredibly stimulating, and I hate to remind you that personal relationships with the cohort is not allowed.
Best Regards,
Keanu
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From: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
To: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Keanu,
I'm embarrassed to say this, but we were talking about one of your past papers. I was singing its praises and Jeremy wanted to read it as well. But I don't see why I can't talk to my student, especially when we always only talk about our subject.
P.S. are you jealous?
Warmest Regards,
Alice
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From: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
To: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
Now, I can't imagine why you'd think that I was jealous. I was only giving you professional advice about your dealings in the school. I'm not jealous. I don't have any romantic interest in any of my staff, and I want to keep it that way. Why would I be jealous? You can talk with that Jeremy all you want, feel free to do so! I've never been a jealous person. I was only curious about the conversation because I wanted to make sure you drew clear boundaries with your student.
Best Regards,
Keanu
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From: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
To: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Keanu,
I'm sorry, I was joking but I see now that I went too far with my joke. I didn't mean for you to take it seriously.
Warmest Regards,
Alice
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From: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
To: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
Dear Alice,
Please be reminded that a relationship between a member of the faculty and a student is strictly not a joking matter.
If you have time, I'd love to talk to you about something that's been on my mind for a while. Could you meet me after work?
Best Regards,
Keanu
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From: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
To: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
I want you.
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From: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
To: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to send that! It was an accident, I was typing that to my WhatsApp! Ignore it!
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From: keanu-price@rosewood.edu.ns
To: alice-hall@rosewood.edu.ns
IN THE PANTRY, NOW.