Professor Burns walks into the Dean’s office’s lobby.
From Create Your Own Story
“Professor Burns! Hi, how are you?”
Mary is greeted by Michael, the dean’s long-time and very enthusiastic assistant.
“I’m well, Michael,” Mary responds with a smile on her face. Michael’s standard greeting smile has a sort of contagious effect and it always seems to put Mary in a slightly better mood. She wonders if that’s why the Dean has kept him around so long; it has to be helpful considering he screens all of the Dean’s visits and calls!
“I’m here to see Dr. Richards. I need to confirm a deadline with him,” Mary states.
“Certainly, but I see the Dean is wrapping up a conference call right now. Please take a seat, he’ll be with you shortly.” Michael replies with yet another beaming smile on his face.
“Well you’re in a good mood!” teases Mary in return. She has had a very flirtatious relationship with Michael. It’s difficult not to with such a gem: Michael is a 25-year-old Master’s student at the top of his class, and his fellowship requires him to do work on behalf of the department. Michael could have chosen to fulfill the full amount of his work hours as a TA, but for some reason, he chooses to work as the Dean’s assistant instead. Mary isn’t complaining. The young man is a not bad to look at. From what she has been able to gather, Michael was both a nerd and a jock while growing up. He played for this high school's state-winning football team. At the same time, Michael had been a drama kid and editor of his school’s newspaper. Quite an odd combination, Mary thought. Mary had never cared much for football, but at least she appreciated the effects of its physical conditioning on men.
Michael is considerably shorter than Dr. Richard but still a little above average in height. His frame is athletic and muscular, and his choice of attire always highlights the best of those features. Today he is wearing a white button-up that clings tightly to his chest. A skinny black tie, and matching thick and black eyeglass frames give him the look you’d expect out of a hipster. However, his stylish black hair gives off a more polished look. His deep brown eyes and clean shaven face make him look like he belongs more in a bank than an academic setting. He is cute in an impossibly boyish way.
“Ha, why wouldn’t I be? It’s a beautiful day!”
“I don’t know, you seem extra chipper today...” Mary replies with an inquisitive tone.
“Well, now that you mention it,” Michael leans in closer to her and whispers. “Let’s just say the girl I was chasing after finally let herself get caught.”
Mary laughs immediately. “That’s sweet. Forgive the cliché, but she’s a lucky girl”
