atxmom
09-21-2006, 08:18 PM
X is for Xanthippe
Rated G
Numb3rs Characters used without permission but with much respect and not for profit only fun.
Setting – Cal Sci – Charlie, Amita and Larry - just a little moment.
*****
The door flew open and a tall slender woman in a peasant blouse and flowing print skirt blew in with the wind. She wasn’t paying attention to where she was going and she did not acknowledge the person who held the door. She was not even looking up but juggling a collection of voluminous books.
Making her way down the hall by effectively nudging people out of the way, either physically or with an exaggerated cough she stopped in front of the auditorium. Taking a deep breath she finally looked up and entered with a stern expression firmly in place.
Students were filing in and taking seats on various rows. Some chatted amicably and others had their heads buried in their books. Not one acknowledged the woman’s presence. Noone questioned her as she made her way to the head of the room.
After arranging the books on the table provided she checked the microphone to determine if it was on. Her, “1, 2, 3 testing” comment did draw attention and the room began to grow quiet.
Two hours later students scrambled out of the lecture hall rolling their eyes, stretching their muscles and asking each other for clarification on what they had just been subjected to.
**********
The student union boasted a cafeteria-style food court with various options to obtain sustenance throughout the day. Charlie Eppes and his mentor and friend Larry Fleinhardt found a table near the rear entrance. A discussion concerning the relevance of reclassifying planet status had blown into an argument about the abject power of certain scientific organizations.
A woman’s voice carried clearly to their table. She was questioning the ingredients of a dish and was very perturbed by the lack of knowledge of the server. Her voice rang out once again while paying for her food. She was expressing her displeasure with the cashier’s inefficiency to make correct change without using the computer register.
“Oh my.” Larry sighed moving uneasily in his seat. “If she comes this way Charles, I fear I will need to make a hasty exit through this door. Do you believe an alarm will truly sound?”
Charlie turned toward his friend with a quizzical smile. “Larry, who is that? Apparently someone you know.”
“Her name is Prudence Smithe. She is a visiting Professor from a school in the Southwest.” Larry halted his explanation to dodge behind Charlie and avoid detection.
“What does she teach?” Charlie turned around. The woman was pleasant looking, in fact she could be called striking however, her face was a little off putting at the moment. A stoic frown creased her brow and she exuded utter contempt.
Once she had moved on her way Larry continued. “She teaches physics actually.”
“Is there a particular reason you would be avoiding her? I thought all you physic-nuts fed off one another. You seem to share the same warped sense of humor and bizarre view of the world at large.” Charlie continued eating his meal expecting some explanation.
“Well, that woman has no sense of humor and her view of the world is solely based on the misconception that she is the center of the universe.” Larry’s tone was clipped.
“Wow. I guess that eliminates her from the dating pool then.” Charlie smiled at Larry’s pointed stare.
During his comment Amita joined their little discussion sitting her lunch tray down and butting in, “Who is eliminated as a possible date?”
“The xanthippe filling in for Professor Brown this semester. And Charles by all means if you are that hard up for a date, I do say you could take your chances at asking Prudence.” Larry munched away.
Amita giggled, “Charlie is hard up?”
“I am not!” Charlie looked offended. “Larry, me think you protest too much. Pry tell how do you know Ms Smithe so well?”
“Well, actually she asked me out earlier today.” Larry was standing up and preparing to leave.
“What?” Charlie smiled, “Well, that’s a development Professor. Do tell?”
“It seems she has read some of my work on black holes and wanted to discuss a particular article. I was flattered actually until she, well she …” Larry blushed.
“She made a pass at you Larry?” Amita guessed.
“Well, yes she did actually.” Larry turned to go.
Charlie caught his arm, “No. You can’t just leave it at that!”
Larry set the tray down and sighed as he sat back down himself. “Well, I explained that I’m exploring another collaborative effort on another horizon and she well, she was offended I guess.” Larry sighed once more.
“Hence putting her in the bad mood.” Amita offered. “Wow, Larry – the power you have over women is amazing.” Her tone was light but her eyes were laughing.
“I wish I could explain it.” Larry said this time walking away.
“Me too!” Charlie laughed, “Do you know the money we could make on the speaker circuit.” Using his hands as he spoke opening them wide, “I can see it now, the physics of the physical attraction!”
***the end***
Xanthippe – Ill-tempered woman OR Mom without chocolate!
All errors are mine alone – last minute attempt to help fill Round 11. Your comments and criticism is always welcome.
Rated G
Numb3rs Characters used without permission but with much respect and not for profit only fun.
Setting – Cal Sci – Charlie, Amita and Larry - just a little moment.
*****
The door flew open and a tall slender woman in a peasant blouse and flowing print skirt blew in with the wind. She wasn’t paying attention to where she was going and she did not acknowledge the person who held the door. She was not even looking up but juggling a collection of voluminous books.
Making her way down the hall by effectively nudging people out of the way, either physically or with an exaggerated cough she stopped in front of the auditorium. Taking a deep breath she finally looked up and entered with a stern expression firmly in place.
Students were filing in and taking seats on various rows. Some chatted amicably and others had their heads buried in their books. Not one acknowledged the woman’s presence. Noone questioned her as she made her way to the head of the room.
After arranging the books on the table provided she checked the microphone to determine if it was on. Her, “1, 2, 3 testing” comment did draw attention and the room began to grow quiet.
Two hours later students scrambled out of the lecture hall rolling their eyes, stretching their muscles and asking each other for clarification on what they had just been subjected to.
**********
The student union boasted a cafeteria-style food court with various options to obtain sustenance throughout the day. Charlie Eppes and his mentor and friend Larry Fleinhardt found a table near the rear entrance. A discussion concerning the relevance of reclassifying planet status had blown into an argument about the abject power of certain scientific organizations.
A woman’s voice carried clearly to their table. She was questioning the ingredients of a dish and was very perturbed by the lack of knowledge of the server. Her voice rang out once again while paying for her food. She was expressing her displeasure with the cashier’s inefficiency to make correct change without using the computer register.
“Oh my.” Larry sighed moving uneasily in his seat. “If she comes this way Charles, I fear I will need to make a hasty exit through this door. Do you believe an alarm will truly sound?”
Charlie turned toward his friend with a quizzical smile. “Larry, who is that? Apparently someone you know.”
“Her name is Prudence Smithe. She is a visiting Professor from a school in the Southwest.” Larry halted his explanation to dodge behind Charlie and avoid detection.
“What does she teach?” Charlie turned around. The woman was pleasant looking, in fact she could be called striking however, her face was a little off putting at the moment. A stoic frown creased her brow and she exuded utter contempt.
Once she had moved on her way Larry continued. “She teaches physics actually.”
“Is there a particular reason you would be avoiding her? I thought all you physic-nuts fed off one another. You seem to share the same warped sense of humor and bizarre view of the world at large.” Charlie continued eating his meal expecting some explanation.
“Well, that woman has no sense of humor and her view of the world is solely based on the misconception that she is the center of the universe.” Larry’s tone was clipped.
“Wow. I guess that eliminates her from the dating pool then.” Charlie smiled at Larry’s pointed stare.
During his comment Amita joined their little discussion sitting her lunch tray down and butting in, “Who is eliminated as a possible date?”
“The xanthippe filling in for Professor Brown this semester. And Charles by all means if you are that hard up for a date, I do say you could take your chances at asking Prudence.” Larry munched away.
Amita giggled, “Charlie is hard up?”
“I am not!” Charlie looked offended. “Larry, me think you protest too much. Pry tell how do you know Ms Smithe so well?”
“Well, actually she asked me out earlier today.” Larry was standing up and preparing to leave.
“What?” Charlie smiled, “Well, that’s a development Professor. Do tell?”
“It seems she has read some of my work on black holes and wanted to discuss a particular article. I was flattered actually until she, well she …” Larry blushed.
“She made a pass at you Larry?” Amita guessed.
“Well, yes she did actually.” Larry turned to go.
Charlie caught his arm, “No. You can’t just leave it at that!”
Larry set the tray down and sighed as he sat back down himself. “Well, I explained that I’m exploring another collaborative effort on another horizon and she well, she was offended I guess.” Larry sighed once more.
“Hence putting her in the bad mood.” Amita offered. “Wow, Larry – the power you have over women is amazing.” Her tone was light but her eyes were laughing.
“I wish I could explain it.” Larry said this time walking away.
“Me too!” Charlie laughed, “Do you know the money we could make on the speaker circuit.” Using his hands as he spoke opening them wide, “I can see it now, the physics of the physical attraction!”
***the end***
Xanthippe – Ill-tempered woman OR Mom without chocolate!
All errors are mine alone – last minute attempt to help fill Round 11. Your comments and criticism is always welcome.