fandomhigh | Dealing With Stupid People [Monday, May 14, 2nd period]

Josh was obviously uncomfortable with the whole "being outside" thing as he perched on a picnic bench and smiled at the students as they assembled.

"Okay, one of the most annoying things you will encounter in your life will be other people," he began, rolling his eyes. "Most of us -- in my universe, anyway, some of you might have other experiences -- can't kill them by using our brains, so we have to come up with different coping methods. We'll get to the more advanced techniques -- sarcasm, the strategic use of an eye roll -- later, but today we'll start out with something that gives you a lot of chance to practice before you send out the final product."

He pulled out a sheaf of papers and dropped it onto the table. "Writing back to stupid people!" he said triumphantly. "In this exercise you need to reply to these obviously deranged letters in a polite way without asking if they've thought to seek professional help for their delusions. There are five different letters so pair up with a partner -- it's better to double check your language against someone else, at least at the beginning -- and write back to these completely insane people."

Josh grinned. "Questions? Problems? I don't really care, but ask anyway."

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"Coffee!" Josh said with a grin.

Only then did he notice the hair. The man had strange priorities. "...so I take it Vegas was a success," he said gesturing towards her head.

Aly rolled her eyes and handed him the coffee. "That's one way of putting it."

Josh snickered. "Blue hair wasn't on the agenda?"

"Apparently someone felt the need for revenge," Aly said sweetly.

"Revenge? On you? My little darling sweetums who could never do anything wrong?"

There was no way Josh could keep a straight face through that. "What'd you hypothetically do?"

Aly stared at him then started cracking up.

"Hypothetically? I might have gotten two people married." She grinned. "It's because I couldn't deal with any more raging UST, you realise."

"And the hair was to match the bridesmaid's dress," Josh said, smirking.

"Maid of honour, thank you very much," she pretended to be offended but she was smirking back just as much. "Besides, I'm quite fond of blue hair."

"It looks good on you," Josh said, "but I'm a little biased. Did you have dyed-to-match poodles, too?"

Aly paused, obviously struck by the idea. "That would be a fantastic wedding gift for the happy couple."

"This happy couple wouldn't do anything to harm said gift, would they?" Josh checked.

"Wade and Arashi?" Aly considered for a moment. "They do have a ridiculously soft spot for fuzzy animals. Maybe a blue bunny would be better."

"No one could ever hurt a bunny," Josh agreed.

He grinned. "Did you bring me a present? Other than your presence, I mean."

"Well, I have this blue poodle," Aly teased.

Josh cracked up, then leaned in for a kiss. "I missed you."

She kissed him back. "I missed you too. And I do have a present for you. I won't even be mean and pretend it's just the t-shirt from the West's Biggest Ball of Twine."

"Good thing," Josh said. "I've got three of them already. I just love balls of twine."

"Only thing better would be the butter cow," Aly said enthusiastically. "But we couldn't get to go see that."

"That's because the Iowa State Fair isn't for months," Josh said, bouncing. "You have to go to a State Fair. They are such an experience in horrifyingly wonderful badness. We'll plan a road trip."

Gleeful was really the only word to describe Aly's expression. "Yes! We must! When?"

"It's a little early for State Fair season," Josh said, "but I'll look up the schedule and get back to you. How do you feel about deep fried things on sticks?"

"I am all for fried things on sticks," Aly said with a nod. "Especially if they are followed by elephant ears or cotton candy."

"You are going to love State Fairs," Josh said, eyes lighting up. "What are your feelings about potentially unsafe carnival rides?"

She laughed. "Spy? It's not possible for me not to be a fan of potentially dangerous situations."

"Excellent. And then you can go rip off a carnie and win me a giant stuffed bear," Josh decided.

Re: Talk to Josh

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