His office door was ajar. Unusual but not alarming. He pushed against it with the palm of his right hand and it opened smoothly. He entered this familiar place without hesitation or reservation. Sitting in the solitary chair against the far wall was a young lady. She stood as he noticed her.
“Can I help you?”
She extended her hand and he shook it in reflex. She looked to be around twenty—no doubt a student.
“I apologize for showing up unexpectedly. I tried to call earlier but couldn’t get an answer.”
Hamlin walked behind the massive walnut abomination that was his desk and sat. “No problem. We were short staffed today. What can I do for you, miss…?”
“Lillian Cooper.”
Hamlin forced himself back into the moment despite all the other thoughts swirling around his head that threatened to distract him.
“Oh, wait a minute. I do know you. I had you as a student last semester, correct?”
She smiled, revealing a mouth full of perfect teeth. “That’s right. Introductory Ecology. I carried a B average.”
“Yes you did. Which begs the question, why are you here now? Surely it’s a little late to complain about your grade.”
“Oh no. I got the grade I deserved. I liked the course but knew it wasn’t the direction I was going. I could have applied myself more.”
“Well, B is a good grade for someone who isn’t really trying. Maybe you missed your true calling. Nonetheless, we’ve now circled back to my original question. What is it that brings you into my office today?”
She fidgeted before answering. “I guess you’re pretty busy.”
He waved his hand toward a stack of papers. “I have a lot of marking to do. Excuse me if I seem abrupt.”
“I understand.” She seemed to be in deep thought. “I’m not sure where to begin.”
Hamlin furrowed his eyebrows. “You’re not doing some sort of marketing research or anything of the sort, are you? Did Professor Johnston put you up to this? If so, I’m afraid I’m going to disappoint you.”
She seemed to set herself in some semblance of order. With the previous uncertainty swept aside, she leaned slightly forward and made solid eye contact.
“I’m not here for myself. I’m here for my boyfriend. He’s in your class this semester.”
Hamlin didn’t care for where this was going.
“Oh? And who would that be?”
“Mark Gallagher. Do you know him?”
He knew him. Mark was a bright enough kid but spent too much time having fun. With girls, booze, and the kind of partying that only happens when you’re away from home distracting him, classes just got in the way. He was hopelessly behind in his grades.
“If Mark wanted to discuss his progress in my class, he should have come in person. I’m afraid I can’t discuss his status with anyone but him.”
Her facial response turned sour. “Look, Mark thinks he is really close to making it in your class. If he does well on the exam, he feels that he’ll probably pass the course. And he really needs it. If he fails, he either drops out or starts over again next year.”
The professor shook his head. “Why didn’t he think of that sooner? It’s not like he isn’t smart enough. All he had to do was apply himself. A little bit of effort on his part and this all could have been avoided.”
“But if he fails, it’s a whole year wasted!” She was getting emotional now, her big eyes a little teary. She was a cute one, there was no doubt there. But she was just enough on the plus side of a perfect figure that Hamlin couldn’t imagine that she was going to have a serious, long-term connection with Mr. Popular, unless he was underestimating the ethical component to his part of this relationship. Or maybe he was getting cynical in his old age.
“And so what did you think you could do? Come in here and convince me to violate every moral I have by changing his grade? Should I pass him because it bothers you that he’s not doing well? Is that what you expected to happen? Because if so, you were very much mistaken.” Hamlin was getting pissed.
“If he fails or drops out, I’ll probably never see him again!” At this, she started with genuine sobs.
Hamlin nodded. “And there it is. Well, that’s no surprise. I suspected that was what this was all about. I suppose he told you he loves you but if he fails it will tear your relationship apart. He’s just using you—surely you can see that. And, by the way, there was never any chance that this little scheme of yours was going to work, just so you know. It’s not even particularly well thought out, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and attribute that to him. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave. This is totally inappropriate and a complete waste of my time and yours.”
She sniffed and nodded slowly. “I guess you’re right. I’m sorry to have bothered you.” She stood awkwardly.
“Don’t let a casual relationship dictate your life. You can be or do anything you want. If this character cares about you, he’ll find a way to overcome his mistakes without putting you or your passion for each other in harm’s way.”
She had no immediate response.
“I’ll mark him on the merit of his efforts, just the same as everyone else. After that, it’s up to him. I wish him well, as I do for all my students, but quite frankly, statistics prove that a large portion of first year students will drop out for one reason or another. Hard work puts the odds in favor of success, and that’s a lesson he needs to learn. Correct?”
She stared silently. “I’ll do anything to help him pass. Anything.”
Hamlin really didn’t care for the insinuation. “Look, this conversation has gone as far as I’m going to allow. He can deal with his own problems. You’re a smart girl. Focus on your career and on making good decisions. Good day, Miss Cooper.”
She followed his lead and stood up. She turned without another word and exited into the hall.
“I don’t know how you can be so smart and so gullible all at the same time,” he said after her, although she could no longer hear. He picked up the phone from its receiver. The moment it was in his hand, a tall distinguished looking man walked in through the still open door.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Didn’t know you were on the phone.”
Hamlin put it back in its cradle.
“I’m not. Good timing. Besides, I was just going to give Deborah a ring to let her know I’d be home a little late. No big deal. How are things, Brian?”