Hey you amazing readers! I know it has been a while but I am back. This is a story that I have been trying to write since quarantine. I tried something different here by mixing in some sci-fi elements. Please comment and let me know what you think in the comments. This story does feature an interracial relationship between characters who are over the age of 18, a wonderful power dynamic, a woman who is annoyed by men, and a very cute couple. If any of those things bother you then please feel free not to read. Hope y'all enjoy!
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The sun shined through the stained glass windows casting multicolored glares on the table that the History Department was gathered around. Dr. Vivian Barbier furiously scribbled as Dr. Francis Slaw went through the more critical notes. "Yes now onto funding, I have spoken with the University Provost and it seems that our funding has been reduced by 15% once again," the head said. The silence in the room spoke volumes as the faculty waited with bated breath. Knowing that she was delivering the reaper's scythe to their hopes, Dr. Francis Slaw continued on, "I've already started on a preliminary budget for the year." Vivian looked as a spreadsheet appeared on the screen with several columns highlighted. "The best way to avoid damage is to put off the exploratory research initiatives and focus on the ones that have been around for more than a year and pausing expansion on the current ones," Dr. Francis Slaw said with a grimace.
Vivian stopped writing and absorbed the words. She wanted to say something but a colleague beat her to it, "Dr. Rothstein wouldn't this mean stopping the freshman summer research topics?"
"With all due respect forget the freshmen, what about expanding my team? We had several large digs planned. What are we to do about those?" another spat out with venom. Dr. Francis Slaw waved her hands trying to calm the women down, however the same speaker spat out, "Tell us, did the Human Health Department get their funding cut?" Vivian already knew the answer to the question and frowned. "Of course," whispered the woman who got out of her seat with a huff and stormed out of the room. Vivian just spared a glance at the front of the room seeing the poor Department Head shutting down the monitor.
"Okay I think we may need a minute, I'll send an update email with the rest of the information," Dr. Francis Slaw said with a tired tone. There were some days that Vivian envied the woman's position, today was not one of them. Rising from her seat she smoothed out the blue dress that she wore and walked to the front. "Franics I take it that the large-scale initiative for literature study is not going to happen?" Vivian asked.
"Sadly no Vivian, that was one of the first items I had to cut," Dr. Slaw said. Vivian's face twisted into one of shock and frustration as she looked her boss over.
"Well it's good to know that my initiative was so easy to replace," Vivian sighed out. Dr. Slaw looked at the younger woman, understanding the frustration that she had showed. Nobody liked getting less money, and even less people liked getting their dreams dashed.
"Viv," the doctor started, "I actually cut your group because I think you have a better chance of securing outside funds." The annoyed woman wrinkled her nose as she knew immediately what outside funds meant.
"I'd rather not Franics, some of us still care about integrity...even in our current world," Vivian sighed as she went to leave the now fairly empty room.
"Vivian you should consider all your options," Francis said but realizing the woman probably would not care about her words. Vivian walked out of the room and down the hallways passing groups of young women who were giggling like so many college students did. The Professor let her mind wander back to her college days. Then a young coed she kept a constant focus on her studies, and did not care about the young men who were constantly taking swipes at her skirt. Even then they were impressive, actual scholars who wanted to impact the world, as opposed to today's selection.
Pausing once again the thought occurred to Vivian, "Hmm maybe their infatuation has to do with scarcity." Shrugging, Vivian kept walking through the beautiful campus. Strong oak trees lined the path as she walked. The Renaissance inspired buildings of the history wing sprung up around her, offering little support for her internal turmoil. As she rounded a corner towards the library her phone rang, investigating it she saw the name "Kendra Day" pop across. Sitting there she swiped on her phone and allowed the text message to pop up on the screen. "Lunch date if you want, meet at Attilio's off campus around 3pm" it said. Vivian looked at her phone delighted that her old colleague had reached out. She glanced at the time and saw that she had a little less than a half an hour to get there.
Wasting no time she turned on her heels and went towards the faculty parking lot, passing the same group of young women. This time they had two men with them, and they seemed to be fawning over them. The men for their part seemed politely disengaged, keeping enough interest to keep the women talking. The entire thing felt disrespectful but Vivian had to deal with it. Things had changed since she was in college, those women were just another sampling of choices for the men. Swallowing her disgust she focused on finding her car and getting to the restaurant.
It had been a while since the woman had been at Attilio's. It was a pleasant Italian eatery that catered to the more established working adults of the college town instead of the rowdy students. Here she had the ability to show her true frustration without the chance of a wayward student hearing it. The last thing she needed was for a rumor to start and for her to be pulled in front of the disciplinary committee, these students did not know how to keep quiet. Shaking off the thought of the worst outcome, she entered the restaurant. She turned her head and found her friend sitting out on the patio motioning excitedly to someone who Vivian could not see. Crossing over the restaurant she avoided the waitresses who were serving multiple groups of coeds. Ducking outside she came up to the table and tapped Kendra on the shoulder.
The blonde turned around her sunhat flapping in the wind and looked up at her friend. "Oh my Vivian you look great!" she squealed in a Midwestern accent. The woman rose up and brought her friend into a bear hug, showing off some Midwestern strength. As Vivian sank into the hug something felt off about her friend, but Vivian couldn't place it. The only thing that stuck out was that Kendra still had a great fashion sense. A pink and white sundress that flattered her larger body was her choice this time around. "Viv come on take a seat," Kendra said while pulling out one of the seats. Vivian lowered herself and finally noticed the person who Kendra had been talking to.
Amanda Li was the type of woman who Vivian had an aversion to. While she spent her life trying to pursue knowledge Amanda was one of the first to leap on the opportunity to use her body to get ahead. A small part of Vivian couldn't blame her, the woman had everything men should want. She was petite with a beauty that was reminiscent of the ancient geishas from Japan. Despite her age she kept her body in immaculate shape and with only the slightest hint of a belly. Vivian frowned as she noticed the woman's chest seemed fuller. Maybe she was wearing a push up bra or something, who knows what she would do to get attention. "Good day Vivian, how are things?" asked Amanda. Vivian did her best to fight the scowl but it slowly crawled on her face.
"I've been good, just dealing with the stresses of academia. I'm sure you don't miss those Amanda," Vivian said with forced pleasantry.
Amanda kept the soft smile on her face as she leaned forward, placing her head in her hands. "You're right. I don't miss it. But the stresses of motherhood are keeping me busy," Amanda said. She punctuated this remark by leaning back and placing a delicate hand on her stomach and rubbing.
Kendra was the first to react, "Oh my! I had a feeling but I didn't want to assume. Javeon finally put one in you?" The image of Javeon shot into Vivian's mind. He had been a student athlete at the university before men's sports were phased out so they could focus on studies and long term health. He was strong and black, a commonality of the men the university serviced. While not outstanding in the looks department he did have a gift of gab that had obviously worked on Amanda who was his then art instructor.
Amanda grinned pridefully, "Two actually. We got word that twins are developing." Kendra let out another squeal. Vivian really had to fight the urge to scowl as she took a sip from the glass of water that was waiting there for her. If talking about her frustrations would get her in front of the discipline committee, she shuddered to think what outright hostility would get her.
