Publish and Perish, part 18: Postlude/Prelude

[Context: read the previous part or start at the beginning. TW: bad amateur fiction!]

“How are you, Gerry?” said Cissy as they converged upon what they had dubbed The Incredible Shrinking Theater.

“Oh, OK, I guess. You?”

“Not bad. The early-semester idealism has not yet yielded to mid-semester depression.”

“Right!” Gerald affirmed.

“Meanwhile,” Cissy continued, “I just got one of the oddest student requests ever, which I’m still processing.”

“Oh yeah?” They had reached the chairs on the stage.

“I was asked by one of my ECON 101 students whether I could perform a rap about my favorite economist.”

“Oh?” Gerald tried for a poker face but probably looked guilty.

“And while I was trying to imagine where on earth that idea had come from, the student helpfully explained that he thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask because his biology professor had just done something just like that.”

“Uh-huh.” Gerald was pretty sure he was now blushing.

“Gerry, we’re all here because we’re facing serious personal challenges. But are you OK? Or are you coming undone? Or are you just…coming alive?”

“Hard to say, hard to say.” Gerry shrugged and gave a wan smile.

“Well, were you hoping to discuss your little incident with the group today?”

“Ah, not directly,” Gerald said. “This week, Morris wanted me to focus on my personal history — so the past, rather than the present.”

“Mmm, that makes sense. That’s what I was supposed to do too.”

“Supposed to?” Gerald aimed for a playful accusation as Morris entered the room. “Are you saying that…” He changed his voice to a loud whisper. “…you didn’t do the homework?!?”

“Shhhh!” she hissed dramatically.

“Well, then,” said Gerald smugly, “I guess we’ll just focus on me today.” He saw Hector coming toward them. “Unless Hector has issues.”

Hector flashed a half-smile, then said pointedly: “Hector always has issues.”

[Update: the story continues with part 19.]