Mark, he seems nice

“So, what are you doing here then, not seen you since last year?” you ask Mark as you turn in his direction. Although you recognise him, you don’t remember anything about him except that, as Lucy told you, he transferred off your course during the first year.

“I share a house with Daniel” he gives as way of explanation, “and as I had my last exam as well today he suggested I come along.” With that he picks up his pint and takes another sip. “But I’ve got to make a move soon” he adds once he puts his pint back down.

“Oh, why’s that, meeting some other friends or something?” You think maybe you could hook up with him if he is moving on to another club or a party.

“Oh no, nothing like that, it’s just such a clear night I want to make use of it.” To you the idea of making use of a clear night involves a blanket and a field somewhere remote, and so you push him further to explain.

“Yeah, Venus is visible at the moment, so I’m going to get home and get my telescope out.” You try not to show your boredom as he spends the next five minutes explaining how great it is, and you soon learn he has transferred to a science degree that contains a large element of this stuff. You glance at Lucy looking for a way out of this conversation, but seeing your distress, she pokes her tongue out and carries on chatting to the others. It is then you realise that she had told you about Mark once before, and how he had trapped her in the canteen and given her a half hour explanation on quantum physics.

Finally you can’t take any more of this, and excuse yourself, telling him you need the loo.