Pork dumplings are Elizabeth's favorite food. Dr. Charles Waxman, her Algebra professor, knows this because Lizzy brought a warm dish of potstickers from Hunan Palace to class on Thursday.
"They're my favorite," she whispered to the Russian exchange student in the adjacent row.
Dr. Waxman lectured for an hour and a half and turned toward the class to watch her sneak morsel after morsel between her young and pouty mouth. He pretended not to see, ignoring the memorandum sent to all faculty members, instructing that eating and drinking be prohibited from lecture halls and computer labs.
"Finally," Dr. Waxman announced to conclude his lecture on quadratic equations, "for those of you who wish to attend the release dinner and reception for Dr. Brownmiller's documentary on Chaos Theory, please see me after class."
Students slapped computers shut, tore paper, and zipped their bags in a flurry.
"Extra credit will be awarded for attendance."
A line began to form in front of Dr. Waxman's desk, and despite her next class, Elizabeth waited for ten minutes to sign up and ask how many points will be given for attending.
"A full letter grade."
"Really? For one event?"
"For attending the complete viewing during dinner and a two page essay on what you learned," he explained, "no coming late or leaving early, and I will be checking."
Elizabeth nodded and ran across the lawn to her next class. She stopped only momentarily to pop three breathmints and re-apply her lipstick.
Elizabeth wore a black kimono dress she bought at Saks Fifth Avenue when her roommate, Kristen, insisted they shop early this year for swimsuits. Lizzy tried on only one halter maillot that gave her a bad case of muffin top before settling for a new sarong and a trip to the dress department. Kristen said that it was too short to wear to a formal event, but everything else was too low cut.
Dr. Waxman arrived late with his wife in tow. They sat themselves quietly next to Elizabeth as Dr. Brownmiller introduced her film and thanked her production staff. A buffet of Indian cuisine was available, but barely touched by the majority of staff members. Elizabeth excused herself as the film began, and Dr. Waxman quickly followed. He found her standing next to a serving dish of fresh chipati.
"And where do you think you're sneaking off to?" Dr. Waxman interrogated Elizabeth with a melting tone of warning. "I'm just kidding. What are they serving?"
"Indian. I don't really like it, but I figured that I might stay awake longer if I eat something."
Dr. Waxman laughed and leaned in with a low voice.
"I agree. The only reason the department makes such a big deal about his movies is because Brownmiller's brother in law is on the board of trustees."
"Is that true?" Elizabeth smiled.
"Yes," he continued, "plus we have to use the funding to make sure they don't reduce our budget next year."
"Dr. Waxman—," Lizzy was interrupted with a shush from a near-by table. "I didn't know you were such a gossip," she whispered.
"Call me Charles," he said, and walked back his seat.
The film was two and a half hours long. As credits rolled, a number of attendees were seen stretching and yawning. Several had excused themselves to smoke or "stretch their legs." Elizabeth closed her notepad and slipped it back into her bag.
"Let's go get some coffee, Charlotte." Dr. Waxman got up but stopped mid-stride.
"I'm just going home, Chuck. I'm tired, and the baby probably needs to be put to bed."
"Let Clarice do it."
His wife shook her head and kissed him on the cheek. Someone turned on the overhead lighting and Dr. Brownmiller thanked the guests for coming. Everyone was invited to enjoy coffee and dessert or purchase signed copies of the DVD, complete with commentary, in the lobby.
"Fuck that," Dr. Waxman muttered softly with a grin.
"I know, right?" Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. "I hope you know that I only came for the grade. I don't have the least bit of interest in chaos mathematics. My major is Anthropology."
