fandomhigh | World Religions, 12/20 Final class

Jesse was wearing a jaunty Santa cap, sitting behind his desk nursing a mug of coffee as though he'd rather be having hair of the dog.

On each desk, face down, was a test booklet, on the whiteboard an admonition not to turn them over until told to do so.

"Mornin'. Test day. Grab your pencils, say your prayers, and give me your best. Get to it."

He sat back and lazily watched the students taking their test and waited for everyone to finish.

"One more chance. Tell me one thing you've learned in this class. Don't kiss my ass with it. If you want to tell me that Nadia over there is a megalomaniac who wants to use religion to control people," he winked at Nadia, "that'll do. Or that I'm a shitty teacher and you never want to learn another thing about religion again. I can take it."

His expression softened, and it was possible to see where, hiding behind the smartass, might be a man with a sentimental streak as wide as the Rio Grande. "You're some good kids. Be good men and women. Jesse Custer's sole commandment: 'don't be an asshole.'"