departmental approval

Strange things happen when I press the down arrow from floor 10 to 9, so when alone and skipping out, I always take the stairs.

But when I tried to cut out of faculty orientation Name Deleted was sitting on the stairwell, starring Himself.

Hey, he said softly.

Hi! I said. .

Just so you know, he said. I admire your critique of the digital literacy policy, AND your outfit, AND your nametag.

Sometimes, he sighed, people high up on the heirarchy will have to sympathize with you in secret. But know that the spirit is there.

He made a peace sign. I made one back. Once again, a thing of immense importance had happened between floors.