Meeting the men

As the meeting breaks up you take your time gathering up your stuff. Several teachers approach with personal words of welcome, some sounding much more sincere than others. You note that several pointedly do not approach you or any of the other men, simply leaving the room as though oblivious to your presence. The Dean is the object of several wary and hostile glances, although he seems not to notice, as he's involved in a conversation with Ms. Considine. You see Brian approach Mr. Sharp.

"I'm Brian Watts, pleased to meet you Mr. Sharp," your roommate extends a hand.

"Likewise," he replies with a grin. "Interesting meeting."

"Very," you say as you step up to offer your hand with a smile.

"I thought there was going to be a riot in here for a while," Mr. Sharp chuckles. "Not what I was expecting."

"Me neither," Brian laughs. "Although I don't have much of a frame of reference. This is my first teaching job."

"We've all got to start somewhere," Darnell smiles, patting his shoulder. "Some of this was new on me too."

You nod agreement, glancing around the room as the last of the faculty leaves, leaving only the three of you and the Dean and Ms. Considine. As you watch, she says goodbye and leaves the room, and the Dean gathers up his materials and approaches your group.

"Gentlemen, good to meet you," he says extending a strong hand in greeting. "Kyle Hawkfeather."

"That was quite the performance," you say as you shake the Dean's hand. "I've got to say I wasn't expecting that."

"If I learned one thing in the Corps it was that discipline should be enforced by the book and not by whim. They hired me to do this, and they may come to regret it, but until they change the book I'm going with it."

"It seems reasonable to me," Mr. Sharp says with a grin. "It sure got some of the ladies in here upset though."

"I expect I haven't heard the last of it," the dean says. "Good to meet you gentlemen. I've got to go, but we should get together soon."

"Sounds good," you say. "I have a hunch we may be somewhat isolated here and it would be wise to stick together, if possible." Brian and Kyle nod and Darnell smiles and joins the chorus of agreement.