"And how was that for our first week back to work?" Mike laughed as he and Sulley walked down the hall. "We restructured an entire industry, and solved the energy crisis! And who was the leading monster on the Laugh Floor?"
"We did have some record-breaking work days," Sulley admitted, "but then again, we did have to start on a clean slate because – "
"Yeah, yeah, laugh is ten times more powerful, yada yada. You don't have to remind me every day, you know."
"Well, if you'd stop forgetting, I wouldn't have to," Sulley pointed out.
Mike sighed dramatically as his friend unlocked the door to his office. "Come on, Sulley. Don't act like you never – "
He stopped when he looked inside the room. A figure sat behind the desk, obscured by a newspaper.
"'Two Scarers Reform Industry,'" the figure read from the paper. "'For days, the monsters of Monstropolis have wondered what was going on behind the door of Monsters, Inc after the CDA arrested CEO Henry J. Waternoose III for endangering the entirety of the monster world by kidnapping human children. Now, the factory is working once again, producing more energy than ever before through the revolutionary discovery of human children's laughter as a superior energy source, discovered by former scarers James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski.'"
The paper fell, revealing the face of Dean Hardscrabble. "Well done, boys. You've surprised me again."
"Dean Hardscrabble!" Mike gasped. "…how did you get in here?"
"The window was open," she said, getting up from her chair. "And please, call me Abigail."
"Alright," Sulley said awkwardly. "Um…is there something you need, or…?"
"Not as such, Sullivan." Hardscrabble replied. "I came because I thought you'd like to know that I am resigning as dean of Monsters University."
"What?!" Mike and Sulley cried together.
"But – but you're the greatest dean the school ever had!" Mike continued. "There's been more graduates under you than anyone before!"
"More scarer graduates, Wazoski," Hardscrabble corrected. "And as you both know, we don't need scarers anymore."
"Why don't you just do what we did here?" Sulley asked.
"Oh, but they are. As we speak, the university is beginning the long road of restructuring the Scaring Department. But the fact of the matter is that I am a scarer, Sullivan, through and through. I don't do funny."
The two were silent for a moment. Mike swallowed uncomfortably. "Well, gosh, I'm sorry - "
"Don't be." The former dean scuttled towards the door. "What Waternoose did was insane, even if human children are not toxic. And you solved the energy crisis – by accident, no less. You shouldn't be sorry; I am thankful for what you have done."
"So…what are you going to do?" Sulley asked.
"I think I shall retire," Hardscrabble answered. "I believe I have quite a lot of benefits stacked up from my years as dean. I…think I need time to find my place in this new world."
With that, she opened the door and exited the room. As she scuttled down the hallway, Sulley leaned out. "Dea – I mean, Abigail!"
She stopped and turned towards him. "Yes, Sullivan?"
Sulley smiled. "If you ever feel like working again…we're always hiring in the mail room."
Abigail smirked. "I'll keep that in mind."