fandomhigh | Public Speaking, Class 1 (Wednesday, Period 1)

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public speaking

Public Speaking, Class 1 (Wednesday, Period 1)

Richie was sitting in the classroom, waiting for his class to arrive. He had coffee, a stack of papers, and a slightly-disturbing grin. When he figured that most of the class had arrived, he stood up. "Good morning, I'm Rich Tozier, and welcome to Public Speaking," he says. "I'll answer to either name, or, I guess, Professor, but call me 'Dick,' and you'll be riding shotgun on my squirrel safari."

"Here's the syllabus, which I'm sure you're all just dying to read, and if anyone is interested in being a TA for this class, the position is still wide open, talk to me after class. And, since I'm relatively sure most of you have at least attended a class before, we're going to start with something typical-- an introduction. I want name[s], hometown, any experience in public speaking, and favorite band or singer. And one interesting thing about yourself, if you have anything interesting to say." The maniacal grin returned. "But, since this is a public-speaking class, I want you to say this at the front of the room, in front of the whole class. Audience, feel free to heckle or question. Politely, though, since it's the first day. No projectiles." He gave this a moment to sink in.

Richie laughed. "I swear, I'm not actually evil. I just want to see where you're all at ~~and I have no experience teaching, so hopefully you're at low levels~~. I'll even go first. I'm Rich Tozier, also known as 'Records' Tozier and up until recently I was working as a radio personality-slash-DJ in LA. Man of a thousand Voices and amazing musical tastes, that's me. I'm sure you've all heard of me, though. Now it's time for you."

((OOC- There ~~will be~~ ARE OCD threads, promise. Seriously, though. Feel free to heckle/question Richie, your classmates, yourselves (Politely!).))

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Valentine

T.R. Wexler

Ferris Bueller

Jeff Murdock

Robin

Carmela Rodriguez

No, seriously. "Mr. Tozier, what town did you say you grew up in?" "Mr. Tozier, what are your feelings on plastic statues of Paul Bunyan?" "Mr. Tozier, is it true you don't believe in squirrels?"

Introduce yourself! Answer my questions! Don't answer my questions! Feel free to ask each other questions!

Valentine didn't seem at all put off by being at the front of the room. In fact, with an audience present, it was all he could do to keep himself from pulling out a handful of juggling balls and putting on an act, instead.

"My name is Valentine, and I'm from the City of Light. While I'm not exactly what one would call a public speaker, I am something of a performer, and I've been told that I never shut up, so I imagine it shouldn't be too terribly difficult to meld the two. I don't really have a favourite band, or a favourite singer. Though I did dance to 'Cuban Pete' once while ringing the buzzer to the beat in a game of Fandom Jeopardy." He tilted his head for a moment, considering the last part. "And yes, this is my real face."

He'd have to clarify that at least once for every wave of new students. Might as well be now.

Richie was very excited to have a self-described performer in his class. Because when people perform, life is never dull.
"The City of Light?" he asked. "Do you mean Paris, or somewhere else?" Richie figured it was best not to address the face issue. Or Cuban Pete.

"Someplace that is very..." He needed a word here that wasn't 'gone.' "Else. Someplace else. That was its name, 'The City of Light.' There was a City of Darkness just over the border as well, past the Dream Lands." There was a bit of a beat before he continued. "Yes, I'm well aware how nonsensical that must all sound."

"Well, it has a sort of symmetry to it, with the light and the dark. So it definitely makes that sort of sense." Richie paused, thinking. "I'm putting it in the 'things I initially think are unbelievable, but actually aren't' category." Which, A, has no bearing on the actual truth of the statement, and B, is actually a relatively strong endorsement from him.

"To be perfectly honest, I'm from there and I've shuffled most of the truths about it into the very same category already."

Turtle stood in front of the class with an unwavering confidence and her usual winning smile.

"Hello! My name is T.R. Wexler, but most people know me at Turtle, which is a nickname I've had since I was little. It's all my sister's fault. I'm from Westingtown, Wisconson, home of Westing Paper Products, which you should all invest in because you'll never find better quality in your paper plates, disposable napkins, or paper towels. We have a wide variety of their products available at great prices over at Turtle & Canary. You should really check them out. Anyway, I'd have a great deal of experience in public speaking. Not only have I won any legal case in which I have presided," -- which was only one, but it still counted! "but I am also one of the voices of the sophomore class as a representative to the Student Council and I have been a consistent radio personality here on Fandom's own Pirate Radio since the summer of 2007."

Turtle paused; pausing was important. Her smile brightened. "I'm not sure who I would count as my favorite singer, but I have rather enjoyed the latest release by Hannah Montana. She seems to continue to put out quality music for her key demographic."

With that, Turtle bowed.

"Thank you."

want name[s], hometown, any experience in public speaking, and favorite band or singer

"Radio personality! Excellent!" It was, Richie thought. He wouldn't even need to teach these kids, they knew stuff! "I'm not familiar with Hannah Montana, but I'll look into her-- I have something like 23 years of music to catch up on, though, it may take a while."

Richie also noted 'legal advice' next to Turtle's name on his class roster. It was always good to know these things.

Beaming at the positive response, Turtle nodded her head. "I know how that can be," she said, even though she didn't. However, her day of awesome classes was here and she got to be all public speaker-y, so she was in a good mood. "Actually," she continued, in a helpful sort of tone, "you should possibly check out Groovy Tunes here in town. I'm always in support of encouraging the thriving of the other businesses here in town, and I do know that one of their employees, Chad, does know a lot about music and would probably be very helpful."

Turtle? Saying something nice about Chad? It really was a good day.

Jeff was not at the front of the class. Jeff was not introducing himself.

Jeff was under his table, frozen in much the same way frightened wildlife might, on occasion, freeze when confronted with something so terrifying it was better just to go entirely braindead.

A boyfriend hiding under a desk was not something that went unnoticed. Or, if she any sort of good girlfriend, would go ignored. Turtle tilted her head upside to look under. "Pssst. Jeff!" she whispered to get his attention.

In response, Jeff curled up into a ball. And shivered.

Well, that didn't look good.

"Jeeeeff," she whispered over again. "What's wrong?"

"Can't talk," he shivered, "They might imagine me in my underwear."

"No one's going to imagine you in your underwear, Jeff," she muttered. Because then they would have Turtle Wexler to deal with.

"You don't know that," Jeff whimpered, because as amazing as his girlfriend was, he knew there were more threatening women.

Like Aravis.

"...True," Turtle admitted slowly, "but I'm sure they have a lot of other things to think about, like their own introductions, that deserve more attention."

"It's what Chad says people do," Jeff pointed out, curling up more, "Picture other people in their underwear during public speaking."

His mother was really evil for putting him in this class.

Oh, for crying out-- Turtle half wondered if anyone would notice if Chad's body mysteriously ended up in a ditch somewhere because, seriously. That boy...

Turtle sighed. "Jeff? Who do you think is a better public speaker, me or Chad?"

Jeff took a pause in his cowering to glance up at Turtle. "I don't know," he said, honestly, "You're excellent but Chad's got that expression, you know..." Like the only expression he had, period. "He doesn't seem to feel fear."

"And I do?" Turtle asked, forehead wrinkling in disappointment. She did not show fear! Lies. She was fearless.

Unless it involved guns. Or scary people trying to kill her. But that was understandable.

"It's not so much that you do," Jeff scrambled to explain in a mildly apologetic fashion, "It's more that I don't think Chad is technically capable of the facial expression."

"That doesn't mean he doesn't have it," Turtle explained, her frown deepening. That was mostly because looking under the desks like this was sort of making all the blood rush to her head and was giving her a bit of a headache. "It just means he's good at not showing it. Trust me, Jeff, no one's going to be picturing you in your underwear."

"I'm sorry, Turtle," Jeff said, retreating further under the table, "But until you have actual empirical proof it's safer down here."

Another sigh, this one slightly more frustrated than the last. "You want me to get up there and take a poll?" she said with some irritability. "Because I will. You know I will. But then it would be useless because then the poll would put the idea into everyone's minds and then they would for sure. So you're better off hedging your bets now."

Robin hopped up on the desk at the front of the room so everyone could see him. "Hi! My name is Robin, and I'm from the Everglades in Florida. I sing, and play the banjo, and I act too! Uhm, my favorite band is...well it's kind of a tie between Blondie, Josie and the Pussycats, and Pink."

Hmm, something interesting about himself. "Uh, my uncle is famous, and...yes, I am a Frog."

"My name's Carmela Rodriguez and I'm from Long Island. My experience is more with negotiations than public speaking, but either way, it involves talking and that's what I'm good at. Musically, I like anything J-Pop. I'm not terribly picky. As for something interesting about me? I can understand any language you can think of. Not to mention the languages you don't even know exist."

Edited 2008-01-10 04:02 (UTC)

Richie's hanging out after class.

Even having to sit through everyone else's boring introductions didn't exactly kill Turtle's bouncing public speaking high when she went to see the teacher after class. "Mister Tozier!" She, once again, gave her best, winning smile. "You said you were still looking for TA at the beginning of class?"

"I definitely am looking for one, although I don't know what sort of work it will involve." Richie shrugged. "I'm not really sure what sort of work the teaching is going to involve, for that matter. So if you don't mind surprises, we should be good." He paused. "Not bad surprises, though. Good surprises. I think. And low amounts of paperwork."

There might have actually have been some noticeable deflating in Turtle's excitement at the mention of low amounts of paperwork, but she gave a small smile afterwards. "I'm definitely good for surprises; I'm ready for anything," she assured him. "And I make a very good minion; I've got excellent references, if you'd like them. I'm sure I'll be an excellent TA, sir, and I'd be honored to have the opportunity."

Questions, comments, concerns?

I'm not sure if it's too early to post this, but I'll be around all night, and then also tomorrow.

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Public Speaking, Class 1 (Wednesday, Period 1)

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