Chapter 3. Another path?
1088 Words
Blondie Beam was late, AGAIN!
The cost of choosing competitive gaming over college was starting to show in her “Arriving late” attendance scores.
Again she shuffled into class,
Again the professor quickly glanced at the floor as she entered the highly polished room.
Although this time, Blondie noted that the teacher glanced, (at what seemed to her,) to be his own reflection for a little less time on this occasion.
She quickly smoothed her flappy skirt down and took a seat.
The class seemed early normal considering the excitement of the day before.
No one seemed to be discussing or acknowledging yesterdays thrown grenade.
However, Blondie barely noticed.
Because although she was physically there, her mind was racing with potential game strategies and statistics, for tonight's match.
Today was a Friday.
That meant a green light for two all-night sessions in a row!
She had no idea what the metal silver smelt like in real life.
If it smelt of anything.
But despite that she would sware blind she could not just smell the imminent silver rank, but almost taste it!
The term may have been merely figurative but the sensation of taste and smell seemed very real!
She had a future champions hunger.
After class, the Teacher waved her over to have a word with him.
Mr Pantite walked over and opened the door of the classroom that had been accidentally shut.
Although at the college level it was not official policy to need a classroom door open when talking to a student, Mr Pantite was wise enough not to risk his future pension with any needless rumours of any impropriety.
“I was going to have a word with you about your tardiness, Miss Beam,”
“The screen flashes a warning red every time your file comes up.”
Started Mr Pantite sternly.
“However,” he continued, his tone softening “Due to your amazing quick thinking, we have been instructed to turn a blind eye for the next few months, and correct that computer error!”
Blondie gave a slight but sincere bow.
“Thank you, sir,” she said earnestly.
“You may go,” said the teacher.
As she got up to leave, his hand suddenly stretched out to hold her hand,
His other hand joined it and clasped her wrist tightly.
She had never bothered to notice the lecture before, but this first skin contact, however innocent, had surprising electric chemistry to it that made her look at him a second time.
He looked her straight in the eyes.
“This is a bad thing!” Mr Pantite said.
Flustered and losing the gist of the context, Blondie flushed slightly.
“I am not saying this out of some misplaced sense of integrity”
“I am not saying this in some sort of outrage at the minor corruption”
“I am not nieve,” He continued.
“I know how the world works and I am happy to work within its framework”
“In fact, I am deeply relieved you have been given the breathing room instead of being expelled”
“But this is STILL a very bad thing!”
“You have real academic talent,”
“I am Not just saying that.”
“Despite you gaming and your little or no effort at your studies you consistently get flat ‘B’ grades and maybe the occasional ‘C’ grade.”
“If this is you without trying?!”
“Imagine how far you could go if you applied yourself to your studies!”
“I am not saying you could not be a champion, because you have a better chance than most.”
“I am saying that EVEN if or when you do become a champion it is still a waste of a brilliant mind!”
“Academia may not have the money and fame attached but it will challenge and stretch you in ways competitive game never could.”
“Professional gaming may give you all you want but it will not give you what your intellect needs”
“Please consider the path that will make you happy instead of the path you only think will make you happy!”
“I feel this ‘free pass’ is a bad thing, because you may feel licenced and free to pursue the wrong direction in life!”
“I would hate to see your mind wasted like that!”
They both held an overly intense stare for longer than they should have,
Mr Pantite gently let go of her hand,
“Sorry for grabbing your fingers like that,” he said.
“But please consider what I have said,”
Blondie gave a polite curtsy, as was traditional and appropriate in this world setting.
Mr Pantite seemed to immediately and look up at and away from her, towards the ceiling.
Blondie left and rushed home to her weekend PC binge.
One of the more notable curses and blessings of under thirties youth is unbreakable “the world is mine” confidence.
When you are that age, you always know best, you are always right and you will always be the exception to the rule.
When you are that age, when you are told the chances of breaking into your chosen field are astronomically stacked against you, it is only seen as a challenge.
College recruiters trying to fill weak courses for the cash per bum on seat, know this.
They know it and take advantage of it.
And they sleep perfectly fine each night knowing that they have done that!
They fulfil their legal obligation to tell the college interviewee that
“This occupation is a hard one to get into”
Then casually let the student burn on the smouldering unemployment compost pile with their useless, pointless degrees.
Many time such degrees are media, arts or humanities-based.
Mr Pantite was not one of those ‘slimy arse goblins’ recruiters.
His advice was genuine.
If followed there would be no media, arts or humanities-based for Miss Blondie Beam.
It would be a decent degree with a life of engineering, physics or applied chemistry!
If this other path was followed, it would be a degree with a real future, making a real difference!
But the “Piss and Wind” of youth meant that Blondie Beam, (unless somehow hindered), would go for the fame and fortune.
Just as any other under thirty students with talent would!
- Writer
