A sequel to my 2018 story "The Recluse of 4B and the Waitresses". Part 6, Sally's past.
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Sheldon and Sally got into a regular habit of going out for Sunday lunch together. Four weeks after Howard and Bernadette returned from their honeymoon Sally showed Sheldon a part of her past.
"So Dr. Cooper, what do you think of this place, I would eat here all the time when I was at UCLA."
"Not bad Dr. Garcia, good food at reasonable prices, ideal for impecunious graduate students."
"Have you been to UCLA before?"
"I was here for a conference 10 years ago, I didn't enjoy it."
"Why not?"
"I had to give a keynote lecture, I hate speaking to large audiences."
"Oh yes, now I remember the talk, I had just started my Ph.D. I didn't understand much of it."
At the end of lunch, after they had paid the bill, Sally showed her another part of her past across the road from the restaurant.
"So Dr. Cooper, here is the UCLA bookshop, I worked here part-time during my PhD studies. If you are interested in book shopping I still have my staff discount card."
Sheldon took Sally by the hand "lead on Dr. Garcia."
As they entered Sally was hugged by a middle aged woman
"Hello Janet"
"Hello Sally, long time no see."
"Janet, I would like to introduce Dr. Sheldon Cooper"
"Welcome Dr. Cooper"
"Sheldon this is my old friend and bookshop boss Janet."
"Pleased to meet you ma'am, could you please direct me to the Physics section..."
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Next day at Caltech, before the Monday Physics discussion, Sheldon is reading a new Physics textbook when Leonard arrived
"Hello Sheldon, sorry I am a bit late, just checked in the lab, all the equipment is working now. Have you seen Sally this morning?"
"No, I have not seen her since yesterday."
"Strange, she is not normally late for these discussions?"
Then Sheldon's phone rang "Hello, yes this is Sheldon Cooper". Sheldon listened to the phone call for about 30 seconds and then stood up "Leonard, Sally is in the hospital!"
