Exit Strategies, Monday, Period 2

[jedigrammarians]

It was the first day of classes and Aphra was actually there on time, and looking somewhat engaged, it was a new semester miracle!

"Hey kids, which is all about getting out of places you don't want to be, like this class for example. To which the answer is make it through the semester in one piece, easy." Look, Aphra thought she was funny. "Since this is the first class, it's time for introductions. We'll start things off pretty simple, name and why you're here.

"I'll go first! I'm Doctor Chelli Aphra, and I'm here because in my long career as a rogue archeologist -" which was totally a real career, "- I've been in numerous death defying escapes and dangerous situations involving everything from rival scholars, bad bosses, rebels, criminals, and ex-girlfriends. Many of them at the same time! And experience has taught me that while smooth talk and high explosives can get you out of most sticky situations, it pays to know which to use when, so now I'm here to share my wisdom with you all."

She pointed at a random student. "You next!"

Rage Against the Machine: Etc, Etc, Etc; Tuesday, Second Period [01/04].

[somethingwithturquoise]

This class would definitely be utilizing the Danger Shop a lot, and that was where they would be meeting probably for every session, but this week, it was set up like just any old ordinary classroom, because that would never not be funny to Summer and they really didn't need much else this week. She grinned a little as she leaned on the desk at the front of the fake-real-classroom as people filed in and found a seat, and then glanced down at her watch for a moment until it ticked just a little past the start of the period, and then clapped her hands together and pushed herself up.

( A Cheerful List of Various Warcrimes Committed by One Summer Smith. )

"Anyhooooooo," she said, turning back to the students with a bright grin, "enough about meeee! It's time to talk about you guys! Now, it's the first week, and usually that means a million gagillion introductions, but honestly? I want to do something a little different with this class, because one of the most important things about this class is that, for this to work, you need a team. No man is an island, and all that shit, and so from this point on, you guys work together? None of this rogue I work by myself shit, that's a good way to make sure I get you shot in every class, got it? Because through almost all of that," she gestured toward the diagram, "the one thing that made the difference wa that I had a team. I had a support base. Even the God one, like, that was followed by a really bad trip and I would have totally lost it if I hadn't had someone to bring me back down from it. SO, like it or not, this is your team for this class going forward, and if you're going to be a team, you've got to get to know each other.

"So instead of standard introductions, I just want you guys to talk with each other. I want you to talk to at least three other people, preferably more, and I want you to come out of it knowing at least four things: their name, where they're from, any strengths they can bring to the table, and what weaknesses they may have. I know that last one might be the hardest for most people; it's hard to acknowledge that we have weaknesses, but it's something that can make the difference between a success and a failure, and we all have them, one way or another. I, for example," she offered, hand to her chest in this very powerful moment of vulnerability, "cannot pull off green to save my life or without looking like a goddamn Christmas tree.

"So there you go. At the end of class, we'll have a little pow-wow and share what we've learned about each other, and then, next week, we'll start getting into the good stuff and hopefully putting those things to use."

Books vs Movies, Tuesday first period

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"Good morning, class." Jon looked simultaneously wide awake and as if he hadn't slept. (Which, to be fair, he hadn't much.) "Those of you who haven't had me before, I'm Mr. Sims, and this is...well, a literature class, mostly, but also something I hope you'll find engaging.

"A lot of stories over the years have been written down and then made into films. Erm, for those of you not from this world or era, those are a method of recording and then showing stories visually. It's generally a process to move a story from written to filmed form, and changes are made for a variety of reasons. We're going to be reading a story each week, and then viewing a film that's been made from it, and we'll discuss the similarities and differences and what we think of them.

"Today, though, is for introductions. I should like to hear your names, which year you're in...erm, that is, in the school, although if you're from another year in time, that might be good to know, too...and if you have a favorite book or film or film made from a book."

He nodded at the first student to start.