First Day of Classes

Classes start today. There is very much to be recommended for working in an office in the , i.e. former office from which the Contessa calls to say she is so-o-o bored. Tell her curtly that I will call her back as I have a student in my office. Do have a student in office, crying, because the professor Yelled at her for coming in late and told her that she shouldn't bother. Further discussion reveals that also she is in the middle of moving and that her cat very likely has cancer (Note: Contact health department about possible epidemic of cat cancer)and that she has a cold. Tell student that will Speak to the professor. Also urge her to take care of herself and to try class again next week. Crying student is followed by irate professor who claims that she still hasn't been fully paid for last semester, how can she start teaching this. What kind of place are we running? Feel that she is making things a big personal--can commiserate but do wish that she would quit waving her pay stub in the air for emphasis. Also wish that when talked spit did not fly from her lips. Feel self wanting to become personal in return. Libby is brought in to make sense of the pay stub. She explains it all in an impressively firm tone. The professor says I See, meekly. This makes Libby momentarily my favorite person. She very quickly loses this position when she sends in a student who wants to take a continuing education class. Libby says, Fritz can help you choose. Student a large, tall man who two times refers to himself as a patient, as in, When I was professor Grant's patient, I mean student...After mentally exhausting conversation--are you interested in Dickens? Oh no! I like movies! Then attempt to explain focus of an English Department which prospective student counters with, Yes, but what if I want to read something in another language? Are you saying that English is the only worthy language?--student is extricated from office.