Dickinson

You mentioned the poet, Emily Dickinson.

"Oh, I like her a lot. But she's an American author, not European." She doesn't seem impressed. "There's an American Lit class I took last year that might be of interest to you, if you like her work."

She checks her phone and some other notes and checks out of your conversation for a moment. You scan across the room and see more people in various states of leisure. Some drinking at the bar, some are beginning to dance to the music. One thing is clear: almost everyone seems to be having a better time than you right now.

"I'm sorry, I don't have it written down," she finally says. "But you should definitely keep an eye out for it, especially if it fits in with your major field of study."

You feel the momentum of the date slowing. She looks around the room, somewhat disinterested.