Journalism Class - Monday October 24

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

Spider is stalking back and forth behind his desk, cigarette clamped firmly between his teeth and looking exceedingly irate. He continues to do this, despite nearly tripping over the cat twice, and determinedly ignoring the increasingly frantic chorus of 'ribbits' from beneath the corner of his desk as the cat creeps ever closer. Once most of the class seems to be present, he turns on them.

"Today is the day when the campaign drawn from your homework assignment last week is due to swing into gear. You have all week to get reactions from the student body and, yes, even from various parents this weekend. Today's class is cancelled so that you can begin with your publicity campaign."

Turning, he resumed pacing. "Tomorrow we'll be doing a class project with the assistance of Professor Dream. I expect full cooperation with the Professor and a concrete effort on your part to make this experiment a success. If things go well, I'll be inviting other professors to help demonstrate various points on interview procedure, observation and research."

As the cat pounced and frogs poured from beneath his desk, Spider strode grimly on. "Everyone is reminded to keep up with their attendance and their homework. My homework policy is extremely lenient, considering that almost all classwork is extra-credit and can be used in place of your actual assignment as long as you remember to note in the assignment itself that this is what you are doing. This policy has been discussed often and both classes and homework are all easily accessible from my information page. I ask very little of you and failing to keep to my somewhat minimalist standards means that not only will you fail, you will be barred from ever re-enrolling in one of my classes. I am extremely serious about this, particularly because it is more work for me and my Assistants to assign, grade and keep track of all this than it is for you to show up twice a week and turn in homework approximately once a week or do the occasional class assignment."

He rounded on the class, looking suddenly tired. "I am extremely disappointed in some of you, and I would ask that if you are not interested in doing the work or in showing up for class that you drop now. There is no point in further wasting my time or yours. For attendance credit, please sign the roster on my desk and if you wish to drop my class simply make a note there. I will fill out the appropriate paperwork and hand it in to the Dean along with your current grade." He took a deep breath and pinched at the bridge of his nose. "I expect to see everyone's campaign at least begun by tonight... and in the meantime, enjoy yourselves as best possible."

Comments

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka surveys the classroom from the doorway, sees Veronica, and smiles, but for the moment, it's Phoebe and Buffy on her mind. She heads directly to Phoebe and takes a seat beside her. "Hey, you."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe smiles and for the first time this morning, she doesn't look like she's going to be kicked.

"Hey. I have a message for you from Buffy." Her forehead wrinkles for a moment. "She says she will try to let you care. She requests that her Morning Star allows her to make dinner for her."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Thanks for relaying the message, Pheebs. I'll have to talk to her. Can't have her taking on the assignment without us talking over the boundaries. Still..." A soft smile plays about Beka's lips, and it's not entirely for Phoebe. "I'm glad she wants to."

She gives Phoebe an impulsive hug. "How's everything, OK?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe shows Beka the silver rose.

"I got this over the weekend. Nothing else. Oh, and I got chewed out by the Dean about Detention."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Pretty. Better than the other ones, for sure. Was there a card?" Her conversation with Veronica makes her think of Illyana, which puts another knot in her stomach -- as if the threats to Phoebe and the weird way she feels about the Ethics assignment isn't bad enough. "Don't worry about the Dean, Pheebs. It's not personal. He gave Ror and me the same speech. Besides, if for some reason you get kicked off Council, you'll have more time to work for--" She grins. "Your Beloved Lord."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe blushes. "Between the Dean and Jerusalem..." she sighs. "I'm batting a thousand at irritating those in charge."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka studies her friend. "Phoebe...you didn't do anything so awful. Missing a homework assignment isn't a crime. So what if you got detention? They'll get over it."

[sensethevisions]

"I just feel like I've let them both down and they're damn well not making it feel any less like that."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"You carry too much weight, Pheebs. I know what you mean, but. Damn. With, you know, the flowers, and you and Cole, Paige being all whatever she's been... you're doing the best you can." Beka's voice is tight with strangled emotion.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looks at the woman who had quickly become one of her best friends.

"Beka...where I came from, I was a screw-up. I was failing school and I was involved in all kinds of questionable activities. Then, I came here...I wanted to change."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Now it begins to make sense, why Phoebe's so worried about all of this. "You're not a screw-up. You've got your head on straight. Please let's not talk about questionable activities. I've done plenty and will continue to...as long as no one gets hurt. If you're worried you're going to start falling apart...don't."

Beka smiles warmly. "Cole's not going to let that happen. And neither am I."

[sensethevisions]

"Have I told you how much I love you, Beka?"

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka lips curve into a smile. "Nope. As long as you're not going to tell me I'm presumptuous as hell for saying I won't let you fall apart, you can tell me, though."

More seriously then: "You know I love you too. You came to my defense. Not many people do that. It meant a lot."