November 2006
"Just trust me, Kiddo, I think you'll get a lot out of that lecture. I've written all the information down for you. Just don't be late. After the doors close, you won't be able to get in."
"Okay, Jace. I'll go." Susan took the paper from him and read the information. "Yeah, it's after my class that day. I trust your judgment. Hey, would you like for me to play something for you?"
"Another time." He smiled. "Let your mom know I said hello when she gets home." Jason gave her a hug and kissed her forehead. "I'll see you soon."
After he left, Susan went up to her room and slipped the information into her organizer…
Two weeks later, the day after the team returned from St. Louis, Spencer was knocking on Jason's open office door. "Can I talk to you?"
"Sure. What's on your mind?" He closed the case file, giving Spencer his undivided attention.
"The lecture tomorrow. This will be my first solo and I'm not sure I'm ready."
"You'll be fine. You know the material, you have the outline done. All you need to do is fill it in with the case details. And those you know. Don't second-guess yourself. Remember, pick two or three people in the audience, one on each side and one in the middle. Make eye contact. Talk to them as if you're having a personal conversation with those three. You can do that with three people, right?"
"Yeah. Easier than thirty."
"So, three people. Just like you would at a police station when you're giving a profile. And you'll do fine."
"Thanks, Boss."
"And wear a jacket, with your shirt and tie. That brown one from the other day, with the patches on the elbows. It makes you look… distinguished."
Spencer dropped his chin and looked at Gideon skeptically, not blinking.
Jason laughed. "Okay. So, maybe it makes you look a little older. Instead of 14, it makes you look 20."
"I'd even settle for 18," quipped Spencer dryly. "Thanks."
"Go, home, get some sleep. And Spencer?"
"Yeah?"
"Have a good time tomorrow. Relax. Let the material speak for itself. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Spencer went back to his desk, picked up his book bag, slung it over his shoulder, and headed for the elevator. He was still nervous, but not as much as he had been earlier. Gideon was right. He did know the material. He did the work to prepare. All he needed to do was relax. The words have a good time echoed in his thoughts. That was easier said than done…
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A/N I hope all you readers out there are enjoying these little tidbits. I'd love you hear from you.
Thank you, for taking the time to read these.
G-Girl