The University of Oz
Chapter 7: The Professor
No one speaks for a brief moment as they stare at the door on the far end.
"Well, here we are," says Derek, breaking the silence as his voice reverberates throughout the hallway. Slowly they all begin to walk toward the door. Jade shields her sensitive eyes from the overall brightness around them, the Slacker meticulously checks his clothing to make sure there is no residual evidence of his smoking habits, Vicky uses the reflective surface of the walls to tidy up her hair, and Derek attempts to look confident as he leads. They stop once they reach the tall double doors. Derek takes a deep breath, grabs the large, golden handle, and pulls the heavy door open.
When the door is open far enough to see inside, the group spots a large golden desk in a beautifully ornate room. Beyond the desk is an equally large office chair, currently facing away from the door toward the far wall made of glass. The window overlooks the entire campus.
They slowly make their way into the room, and Derek cautiously begins his introduction.
"Um, Professor? Professor of Oz?"
The chair does not move.
"We were wondering if you could uh…help us," Derek continues. As the door shuts behind the gang, the giant desk chair begins to swivel around.
"Oh?" asks the voice from the chair as it completely turns toward them to face the desk. Sitting in the chair is a woman in a very pristine, green and gold business suit. Her bright green hair flows elegantly over her shoulders and compliments her pale skin. Her face has a somewhat stern, yet intelligent expression as she eyes the group.
"I don't recall having an appointment," says the Professor, double checking a little book on her desk.
"We don't have one," Vicky chimes in.
"I see," begins the Professor. "Well, lucky for you it's been rather slow lately. What are you here for?"
"I REALLY need to get rid of this hangover, "Jade says immediately. "And I guess…I need you to help me to stop partying so much."
"I need help getting motivated to do work," says the Slacker.
"I need to do LESS work because it's driving me insane," says Vicky.
"And I just…want a girlfriend," says Derek.
The Professor looks at the group with a mixture of shock and concern.
"That's asking quite a bit of me," she states. "I've never heard of such requests."
"I know…I'm sorry I just…well, someone named the Good Jock of the North Campus told me to see you. I don't even know where I am to be honest. I apparently just fell from the sky." Derek explains.
"My goodness," replies the Professor. "Well, unfortunately I can't help you with all your problems at this time. We're currently dealing with a big issue."
"The Wicked Jock…" guesses Vicky.
"That's right," responds the Professor. "Never in the history of this university has there been a student so capable of causing so much damage."
"That jock?" asks Derek. "I know he's a real jerk, but why would he stop you from helping us?"
The Professor explains herself.
"The university is in a crisis because of him. He constantly beats up intelligent students, causing them to be afraid and ashamed of doing well. He picks on people that aren't as in shape as he is, as good looking, or a powerful in general. Students are quite literally afraid to leave their own dorms because of him. Worst of all, I know for a fact that he is behind most of the sexual assaults on girls that occur on this campus. When he first arrived, we could tell that he would be a nuisance, but he has somehow managed to overcome our authority. He intimidated a large number of students to join his little army and has somehow brainwashed them into doing his bidding. They take the blame for terrible crimes against the campus, such as sexual assault charges and violent attacks. They've also helped him take over his entire dorm building, turning it into a sort of dark castle."
She stands up and turns to the view behind her as Derek speaks up.
"Why doesn't campus safety just get rid of him?" he asks. The Professor stares out the window and replies,
"He's somehow trained and brainwashed these minions so much that campus safety can't even get into his massive dorm fortress. Any time they try to get to him, his minions block the way and gladly fight against the officers, even if it means their expulsion. He has convinced all these students that he should be idolized." She turns back towards the group and continues,
"I'm sorry, but this takes precedence over your requests. Students are failing out of college because of him, and innocent girls are being taken advantage of left and right. He's a menace, a truly evil menace, and he has to be stopped."
"Wow," begins Jade. "I guess I haven't noticed how much trouble he's caused since I've been partying so much."
"And I've been smok….I mean….sitting in my room too much," says the Slacker.
"And I've been locked in the Library too much," says Vicky.
Derek looks at his friends then back at the Professor.
"What if we get rid of him?" he asks. "We, as in us...us four," he motions toward himself and the gang as they look at him in shock.
"Are you kidding me?" asks Jade. "You heard her. Not even campus safety can get to him. How are we supposed to do that?"
"Well we can try," replies Derek. "Back where I'm from, guys like him are the bane of my existence. Of course, they don't have bizarre, mystical powers like he does, but the idea is still the same. I know one guy in particular that looks exactly like him. He intimidates me from going to parties, meeting girls, or meeting new friends in general."
Derek can't help but think about the image of Rob holding Sabrina, and how drunk and vulnerable she looked.
"I just think we can do it, that's all," he finishes.
"If you all can put an end to his wicked ways, I promise you I will be able to help with all your needs," says the Professor. Derek turns to his friends.
"You heard her. What do you say?" he asks.
"I'm in," says Vicky excitedly. "I wouldn't mind teaching him a thing or two. Plus, it will help me get my mind off of school work."
"Uh…you know what, man. I'm in, too," says the Slacker. "I guess I wouldn't be doing too much anyway."
Derek turns to Jade.
"That just leaves you," he says. "Just think, the only thing between you and not having that terrible hangover of yours is that evil Jock."
"Okay, I suppose that's true. I'm in…I guess," responds Jade.
"Very well," says the Professor. "He never lets anyone near his football helmet. If you can bring his helmet to me, I'll know you've defeated him once and for all."
She stands from her desk, makes her way to the door, and opens it for the heroes.
"Good luck," she says sternly.
One at a time, everyone shakes her hand and continues out the door back into the hallway. They proceed to make their way back to the elevator as the door shuts behind them. Once inside the elevator, Derek pushes the button for the ground floor, and they begin their descent. The Slacker breaks the silence.
"So uh…what's the plan, dude?"
"I was hoping one of you guys would have one," replies Derek.
