Teacher's Lounge: [1/16]

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

Susan opened up the Teacher's Lounge, and left a selection of muffins and bagels for the teachers. Might as well get acquainted, so they'd know who to send the problem students to, if needed.

She stopped, frowning at a magazine someone had left on the coffee table.

People? Must be American. But who on Earth was J-Lo?

Comments

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I won't be teaching. They've brought me in to work at the Clinic, to replace the last counselor. No patients so far, since it's the first week of term. I do hope that keeps up for a bit, I'm still finding my feet."

She laughed at the muffin joke. "Had I know that I had to bring the finest breadstuffs, I should have stopped at Jeff, the God of Muffins. Unfortunately, they weren't open when I arrived, so I had to stop at the NPC Bakery. I assume Jeff's is the Island standard, with that name."

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh took a bite from his muffin and smiled. "These'll work just fine." He took another bite. "Not that I've never turned down the offer of free food in my life." He grinned. "Life of a professional political operative--never know where the next meal'll come from, and it's almost guaranteed to be rubber chicken."

He held up a hand. "Not a literal rubber chicken, though. Which is something that has to be made clear around here."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

She laughed again. "I wish I thought you were *only* joking. And, where did you work before you taught here? Are you teaching politics?" Susan asked, interested. "I was working at a private sanitarium. I presume it'll be quite the change, once the term is in full swing."

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh nodded. "Political campaigning, specifically. And US history and government." He grinned. "Used to work at the White House until a few weeks ago. This place? A different kind of crazy." He raised an eyebrow. "Did anyone warn you about the green guy who works at the karaoke bar? Or that there is a karaoke bar?"

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"The White House? That's quite impressive. What did you do there?"

"Karaoke," Susan then deadpanned. "I've... never heard of that. And no, no specific 'green guy' warnings. Should I be afraid of him? Ought I to be carrying a charm against him, of some sort?"

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"I was the deputy chief of staff to the President," Josh said proudly.

He ran a hand through his hair, then took a sip from his coffee. "Karaoke is a terrible idea. Singing in public. For fun." He made a face. "I don't get it. And the green guy seemed fine--just, you know, green."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"Oh, gracious. I had no idea. Tell me, is President Kennedy as impressive in person as he is in the newsreels?"

"And as long as all his is, is green? I shan't be too afraid. I talked to cat yesterday. I can do anything, I think." Susan smiled. "And Karaoke sounds like fun, really..."

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh coughed. "Kennedy? Um. No. Bartlet." He gave Susan a look. "It's 2006 now."

The rest of her statement caught up to him. "You talked to a cat?"

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"It's... what? 2006?" Susan gaped at him, then blurted, "Yes, I thought everyone knew about the cat. At least, the way the staff at the clinic were acting-- Faithful? Alanna Trebond's companion?"

She blinked, suddenly, and slapped her forehead. "That's why the phones looked so funny!"

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"I'll have to keep an eye out for the cat, then," Josh said. "Wait. You didn't know it was 2006? I mean, I thought it was still '03, but...the phones look funny? When are you from?"

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"1962," Susan said on a falling note. "Oh, bloody hell." She sat down on the couch, face bewildered. "President Bartlet? Is he good?" She shook her head. "Oh lord. I'm almost eighty years old. I don't think I can handle this."

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Huh. Welcome to the 21st Century, then," Josh said with an absolutely amazing lack of tact. "President Bartlet is the best," he said with a smile. "Just won re-election. At least where I come from. In this reality, some idiot Republican named Bush is in charge."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"Haven't heard of him either," Susan said, then shook her head. "Oh, this is the absolute limit. They really should have told me this! How can I counsel the students if my techniques are forty years out of date? How can I possibly relate to them?" She looked like she wanted to cry, then took a deep breath. "I'm going to have to resign. And it's my first day!"

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you'll be fine," Josh said. "Half of these kids aren't even from this planet." He snickered. "One of them thought that Thanksgiving had something to do with being naked."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

Susan gave him a speaking look. "Oh, do be serious." She blinked. "Are you being serious? I entirely lack context for this situation."

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"That story, sadly, I'm not making up," Josh said. "This place is a little off."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"A little?" Susan was calming a bit, and she sighed, thinking. "So I assume Martin Luther King did something quite significant between 1962 and the present day? I feel less stupid about not knowing who he is now." She considered. "Is Elvis still making records?"

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, King was huge in the Civil Rights movement," Josh said. "I'll get you some stuff on him if you'd like."

He bit his lip. "And Elvis died in 1977. Or went back to his home planet, depending on who you ask." He looked thoughtful. "Wonder if any of the students here know about that."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"He died? I *loved* his music. He was too young for me, but..." Susan looks devastated. "Oh, that is the limit. I require alcohol, as soon as possible. Does this Caritas serve alcohol?"

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Lots of alcohol," Josh said. "Want to go? After classes are done?"

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"Definitely. I think I'm going to need it." Susan gave him a weak smile. "I'll meet you there."