Georgie's Entry; Gloating at Georgie's misfortune
10:09 AM:
A car sped into the parking lot in front of the law department building at Aspen University. As it screeched to a halt, the back door flew open, and a rotund figure bolted towards the entrance. It was Georgie, running late for his 10:00 AM class and dreading the inevitable reprimand from his teacher.
He burst into the building and headed straight for the elevator, jabbing the button impatiently. The doors remained closed. Glancing up, he saw the elevator was still on the 7th floor, slowly taking on passengers. He glanced at his wristwatch, his anxiety mounting as every second ticked by. Frustrated, he cursed under his breath, "Fuck it," and dashed toward the stairs.
At the Same Time in a Classroom on the 2nd Floor:
Dr. Harold Thompson, a man in his early fifties, stood at the front of the classroom, calling out the roll. His presence was commanding, a testament to his decades of teaching experience. He had a full head of neatly combed white hair that contrasted sharply with his tanned, weathered skin, a clear indication of his years spent in the sun, perhaps during his earlier career as a field researcher.
His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, were framed by a pair of wire-rimmed glasses, which he occasionally adjusted as he glanced down at his attendance sheet. Those eyes, sharp and observant, missed nothing, giving the impression that he could see right through any excuse for tardiness or inattention. His high cheekbones and strong jawline gave his face a chiseled appearance, further accentuated by the deep lines etched around his mouth and eyes – marks of wisdom and experience rather than age.
Dressed in a crisp white shirt, neatly tucked into a pair of dark trousers, and a navy blue blazer, Dr. Thompson exuded professionalism. A silver tie completed his ensemble, and a subtle hint of cologne lingered in the air, adding to his distinguished aura. Despite his serious demeanor, there was a certain charisma about him, a gravitas that drew respect from both colleagues and students alike.
As he called out the names, his voice was firm but not unkind, resonating with authority. Each student responded promptly, knowing that Dr. Thompson had little tolerance for tardiness or absenteeism. His reputation as one of the most senior and respected professors in the department was well-earned, and he upheld high standards in his classroom.
"Allen?"
"Here."
"Bennet?"
"Present."
He continued down the list, methodically marking each name. The classroom was silent except for the occasional rustle of papers and the sound of students shifting in their seats, eager to maintain his approval. Dr. Thompson's lectures were known to be challenging but rewarding, filled with insights that could only come from years of dedicated study and practice.
"Georgie?"
There was no response. Dr. Harold Thompson called again.
"Roll number 23, Georgie?"
Still, he received no response. He paused and looked over the classroom, peering over his glasses. With only 30 students, he knew everyone by name, and after teaching them for these few months, he was familiar with their habits. Among all the students, Georgie was the most troublesome. He had a habit of coming late, and no matter how much Dr. Thompson reprimanded him, Georgie seemed to never take anything seriously.
Dr. Thompson turned his attention to Daniel, knowing he was Georgie's close friend. "Daniel, will Georgie be coming to class today?"
As soon as he asked this question, the classroom door swung open with a loud creak. Georgie stumbled in, panting and red-faced, and shouted, "Present! Sir!"
Georgie's sudden entry shocked everyone, including Dr. Thompson. The students were initially stunned but soon burst into laughter at Georgie's dramatic entrance. Dr. Thompson's sharp gaze locked onto Georgie. "Silence," he commanded, and the classroom quickly quieted down. He then addressed Georgie directly.
"Mr. Georgie," he said in a calm but stern voice, "can you please be more gentle while opening the door and entering the classroom? You are already late, so it doesn't matter if it takes an extra few seconds to open the door. And you don't have to yell 'present' when you enter because I'm not calling attendance now."
The students even though quieted down at their teacher's order but continued to glance at Georgie, gloating at his misfortune and watching the scene with interest.
In reality, there had been a misunderstanding on Georgie's part. When he was rushing and was just in front of the classroom door, Dr. Thompson had been asking Daniel about Georgie. Georgie, in his hurry, did not hear the question fully and only caught his name. Under stress, he had flung the door open, thinking the teacher was calling his name for attendance. Without looking around, he had yelled out, "present."
Dr. Thompson continued, his voice measured but firm. "Now, Mr. Georgie, would you like to explain to me why you are late again?"
Georgie, still catching his breath, tried to muster a plausible excuse. "I, uh, got caught in traffic, sir," he lied, avoiding the professor's eyes.
Dr. Thompson's expression remained unchanged, knowing it was just an excuse. "Traffic, you say? Perhaps you should consider leaving home earlier. Take your seat, but be quiet."
Georgie nodded sheepishly and hurried to an empty desk at the back beside his friend Daniel. Dr. Thompson resumed taking attendance and soon finished it. He then started his lecture on contract law, his voice echoing through the room with authority.
Georgie, after sitting down, noticed Henry's absence. He leaned towards Daniel and whispered, "Where's Henry?"
Daniel, glancing at Dr. Thompson to ensure he wasn't being watched, whispered back, "He didn't arrive yet. I called him, but he didn't pick up."
Georgie thought silently, "That's odd. Henry never misses classes." A fleeting sense of satisfaction washed over him. "Finally, he's late for once," he mused, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie in their shared tardiness. He then focused his attention back on the lecture, trying to absorb as much as he could despite the rocky start to his day.
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Hello everyone,
I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the story. I apologize for missing scheduled update. To make up for it, I will release some extra chapter in addition to the one scheduled . So, there will be another new chapter on Sunday.
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