The Last Place You Look

[Allison Rogers]

"I could see how that would be difficult to adjust to. I'm not exactly adjusting well to teaching personally either. To used to people who do what I tell them to because I pay them to."

[Roland Sackville]

"You think that would work here?" he joked.

[Allison Rogers]

"Probably would be a short term fix at best," she chuckled.

[Roland Sackville]

"It's just--I've had...some students take an interest in my past, but I'm afraid I've chased them off with...well, let's just say I'm afraid I've chased them off."

[Allison Rogers]

"So you want them to take an interest again, but you're not sure how to get them back?"

[Roland Sackville]

"Precisely. I'm afraid of coming on too strong and just alienating he...them more."

[Allison Rogers]

If Allison noticed the slip, she didn't show it. "Maybe you just need to let things be quiet for a bit and then maybe the students will get interested again."

[Roland Sackville]

"It's been a bit, but you're probably right."

[Allison Rogers]

"I'm learning the beginning of the year is a really hard time to get them interested in anything academic."

[Roland Sackville]

"This was more extra-curricular," Roland said, pausing a moment. "But you're right. They're probably just...you know, adapting."

[Allison Rogers]

"Everyone has to adapt."

[Roland Sackville]

"Myself more than most."

[Allison Rogers]

"The fact that we're both still here is proof that adapting is possible."

[Roland Sackville]

"You? Having issues?"

[Allison Rogers]

"When I first got here I had a few, but those are behind me now."

[Roland Sackville]

"I'm glad to hear that. This isn't so bad of a place, over all."

[Allison Rogers]

"It has its moments," she says, smiling fondly.

[Roland Sackville]

"You'd better watch out, with that attitude. Might infect someone."

[Allison Rogers]

"And we can't have that," she said with a chuckle.

[Roland Sackville]

"No. We have to be super serious," he said, mock seriously.

[Allison Rogers]

"Always," she said with a mock serious nod. "Seriously though, I understand struggling to relate to them. It must be extra hard for you since it was so long ago that you were their age. But if I can manage it, I think you can too."

[Roland Sackville]

"I'll keep trying," he nodded.

[Allison Rogers]

"Not giving up is the key, or so I'm told."

[Roland Sackville]

"You're saying I should be proactive."

[Allison Rogers]

"That depends on your definition of 'proactive'."

[Roland Sackville]

"I mean, more than sitting around and letting them calm down."