Old Man's Got Moves

[Roland Sackville]

Roland was in the gym in the rec complex, working the heavy bag. His punches resounded though the near-empty room.

((open))

[Miranda Weaver]

"Hello, Professor Sackville," Miranda said, working her way through the rooms and trying to decide which machine to tackle today.

[Roland Sackville]

"Miranda," Roland acknowledged, steadying the bag. "How are you this morning?"

[Miranda Weaver]

"Conflicted," she said, making for one of the stair climbers and beginning to get the machine set up. "How are you?"

[Roland Sackville]

"I'm doing alright. Too many new people here for my taste, but what can you do."

[Miranda Weaver]

"I know how you feel. But if they didn't come, they'd have to shut this place down."

[Roland Sackville]

"That's what has you conflicted?"

[Miranda Weaver]

"No. I think conflicted is going to be a way of life for me now."

[Roland Sackville]

"Fun times."

[Miranda Weaver]

"Not particularly, no." She started stepping on the machine. "I am looking forward to your history class this semester though."

[Roland Sackville]

"Well, that makes one! That's always a good start."

[Miranda Weaver]

"Other people are just missing out because they don't want to ask questions. The idea that you have actual answers to them is fascinating to me."

[Roland Sackville]

"Well, I have an answer for things. Not always the right one."

[Miranda Weaver]

"Well, an answer is frequently better than no answer. Although I suppose if one is deluding oneself, then it would be better to have no answer. But that sounds dangerously close to philosophy."

[Roland Sackville]

"That is, most certainly, not my area of expertise."

[Miranda Weaver]

"I do seem to recall you not liking philosophy... or seers for that matter."

[Roland Sackville]

"Family issues."

[Miranda Weaver]

"In my defense, I don't pretend to know what's best for anyone but myself."

[Roland Sackville]

"Oh, don't you now?"

[Miranda Weaver]

"Of course, I don't pretend to know. I know what's best," she said, obviously joking.

[Roland Sackville]

"And that's why I don't like seers," Roland joked back.

[Miranda Weaver]

"I may be many things in the future, but I'm not my mother, so I won't tell you what you should with whatever days the gods see fit to grant you."

[Roland Sackville]

"The Gods have nothing to do with it."

[Miranda Weaver]

"Oh, right." There was no trace of sarcasm in her voice. In fact, her voice was the sheepish tone of someone who'd made a misstep. "I apologize."

[Roland Sackville]

"It's fine, of course."

[Miranda Weaver]

"It was a thoughtless statement though."

[Roland Sackville]

"You'll find those are the most common kind."