I can't stay awake anymore. I thought teaching at Mars University would help distract me and stop my mind becoming stale. Unfortunately most of the students are very intelligent, which of course means they'll never be any good at theoretical physics.
One of my students shows great promise though. He's almost as dumb as I once was but with a great imagination. He sits next to that Christine girl so it's not too hard to figure out what he's imagining, but at least he hasn't filled his head with useless 'facts'.
I think I must be asleep now. I know because I always see her in my sleep, my long lost love. Guilt will not allow me to forget her. I can't forgive myself for her death.
"Leela, I know this is just a dream but I need to tell you that I'm sorry and that it was all my fault. It won't be long before I can put things right. I'm almost ready."
The dreams are always the same. She opens her mouth to reply but before she can say anything someone or something always...
"Professor Fry? Professor Fry? Wake up!"
"Yes damn it. Who are you, what do you want?" I snap as my eyes open and the owner of the voice slowly comes into focus.
"Sorry sir it's... it's Jonathan. You asked me to wake you if you ever fell asleep in class," he says as he nervously backs off back to his seat.
I can understand now why my nephew Hubert always fell asleep during the day. It wasn't because he was old. It was because he was up all night experimenting with this, or inventing that. Who would have thought I would take after him, although technically I suppose he took after me. He was a great man, a little senile but a great man nonetheless. Even after what happened. Oh how I miss him!
I look up at the room of young faces. They all look back expectantly. All but Jonathan who's busy pretending not to stare at Christine.
"So Jonathan, as you were so rude as to interrupt my nap. Would you care to tell the class what an L unit is, and what it's used for?"
Poor lad. I know he hasn't got a clue what the answer is. He's wasting his time here and he's too young to realise how valuable time is.
"Can anyone else tell me?"
I smile as a sea of hands are raise in front of me. They've all filled their heads with useless junk.
"That's what I thought."
As if on queue the bell rings indicating the end of the lesson.
"Ok everyone read chapters eleven and twelve and we'll discuss them on Monday. Have a nice weekend."
Three, two, one...
"Jonathan, I'd like you to stay behind for a moment please."
I wait until the last student has left and the doors close.
"Why are you here Jonathan, why are you taking my class?"
I suppress a smile whilst I watch him panic and choke on his own words.
"I err... really want to learn about the universe," he says looking down at his shoes.
An awful answer, but can see some truth in it? Possibly, but that isn't the main reason he's here.
"I am over one hundred and fifty-three years old, if you think you can fool me that easily you're dumber than I thought."
He gives me a hurtful look. One that I would have worn when I was younger, before...
"I am going to ask you one last time, and if I don't believe you I will make sure you are thrown out if this university. Now why are you in my class?"
He gives me a desperate look and then finally caves.
"I'm here because of a girl," he says avoiding my gaze.
I let my smile show which seems to ease him slightly.
"Let me guess. You would do anything for this girl but she won't give you the time of day."
He nods at me sadly. It all seems so familiar to me.
"And to make matters worse whenever you tell her the way you feel she turns you down stating intellectual incompatibility and suggests there would be workplace conflicts."
He continues to stare at the floor.
"That means she thinks you're dumb and she can't stand to be near you, but she humors you because she doesn't want to be seen as a mean person."
He looks up at me. A tear in his eye perhaps? I don't want to do this to him, but I know it's for the best. I only wish someone had done it to me all those years ago.
"Actually, I think she just feels sorry for me," he says no doubt feeling better for getting it off his chest.
"I'm sorry I've been wasting your time professor. I really do wish I was smart enough to understand your class. It all sounds so amazing."
I sigh and sit next to him.
"You don't have to be here to understand the universe Jonathan. The best way to understand it is to explore it and be a part of it."
"I wouldn't know where to start sir."
"You can start by meeting me in my lab tonight. I have an important experiment I need help with."