Political Campaigning (Thursday, April 27, 4th period)

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh had brought coffee and pizza for the class. The walls were decorated with campaign posters for the three candidates and a phone in the corner was rigged to ring every two minutes.

Add it to the huge, practically sentient pile of papers on Josh's desk and it looked very much like a campaign office.

"Okay, guys," he said, smiling. "Today you get to show me if I've managed to teach you anything at all about campaigning." He sat down in his chair. "Grab some pizza and coffee and demonstrate how your guy is going to be the Senator from Montana come November."

Comments

After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"It has been an absolute pleasure teaching all of you," Josh said. "Good luck in whatever it is you're doing--either this summer or out in the real world for you seniors. And if you ever think that a call from a former senior staffer from the White House might get you out of a jam--pick up that phone and call me, all right?"

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Yep, there Angel was. Hanging out after class again. In hindsight the appearance of a crush on Josh should not have come so out of left field.

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Nice work on your presentation," Josh said, smiling.

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Angel said. He gave a shrug. "Wanted to show Rory I believed in her, even if I don't think that method would work."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"It won't," Josh replied, "at least not in the current political climate, but it's a nice thought."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"So, um - " Angel thought about saying something about the supposed crush, but then decided silence was the better part of valor there. Instead he moved on to what he really wanted to say. "I wanted to say thanks. For all your help this semester."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Josh said, smiling. "It was my pleasure."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Do you have much experience with California?" Angel asked.

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh nodded. "Some. Lots of rich Dems out there--I've done my fair share of fundraising gigs out on some B-listers deck." He raised an eyebrow. "Lots of sunshine--isn't that kind of not your thing?"

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna also hovered after class. Faithful had curled up for a nap in her bag by then.

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Alanna," Josh said, smiling.

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"I'd like to just say that contrary to the terror I seemed to have in your class, I actually had a lot of fun and hope you come back next year and even this summer." Alanna managed to say all that in one breath. Her bag snorted.

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh looked flattered. "Thanks, Alanna. I'll be back in the Fall for sure but I have to go run a special election over the summer." He grinned. "Not sure I'll be using the 'free llama with every vote' approach that the Burns campaign was pushing for, though."

"What are you up to this summer? Sticking around for camp?"

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"Yup, more than likely. And yeah, I can see how problems could arise from the "free llama" campaign." Alanna giggled a bit. "Anyway, thank you, and uh, I hope I get to take one of your classes next year!"

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Especially since the district's in the middle of a city," Josh said. "Not a lot of room for a llama in a studio apartment these days."

He grinned. "Look forward to seeing you next semester, then. Have a good summer!"

He waved at her bag. "And you, too," he said.

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"I will and you too!" Alanna's was seriously grinning by then. Faithful poked his head out of her bag. "Mrowr! I have a human to torment, of course I'll have fun!"

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh laughed. To think that this would've been weird a few months ago.

He waved at both of them. "Get out of here. Have fun. See you in September."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker waited 'til after Alanna was gone, then said, "Hey, Professor Lyman. Thanks for a great class. You've convinced me I would end up dead in politics. Possibly literally, from the stress and ulcer issues."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh blinked. "Huh. That's not exactly what I intended to teach."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

She grinned. "You also taught me more respect for the system, and the people who work on campaigns. About how much work it is, and the places where it can go wrong. I don't have the personality to deal with it full-time directly, but I can be a campaign supporter with a lot more savvy now." Parker shrugged. "That counts, doesn't it?"

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh looked very pleased. "I'm glad to hear it, Parker. It's more than I thought any of you would get out of the class, to be honest."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"It was a helluva lot of work, but fun," Parker admitted. "Are you coming back next fall?" She looked sad for a minute. "I'm already bummed CJ is leaving. Tell me I don't have to send you e-postcards too."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"I'll be back, yeah," Josh said, grinning. "I just have to go get some real world experience on a special election this summer."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"I'll watch the papers for it. And mock when you don't use llamas. Amd MTV."

Re: After class--say goodbye to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Not sure llamas would have quite the appeal in inner city Detroit," Josh replied with a smile. "But I'll keep it in mind."