Hi all – yes, I know that Jacob is a bit of a chauvinist at the moment (there will be a wake-up call), but this fic is designed to be in the mid-70s, i.e. 30 years ago. Definitely not today, where people are generally more sensible than sexist. Praise be to whatever non-snakeheaded gods are out there that certain parts of the world have moved on, maybe one day we'll succeed with the rest of the planet!
For now though, think That 70s Show – lots of suburban housewives, women who work being sympathised with as if it's a last resort rather than a free choice, and most men still thinking that it's their god-given duty to put bread and water on the table for all the family. I figured that a widowed Major who lives mainly on Air Force bases probably wouldn't have had to deal with any women's rights issues yet, since the poor man hasn't got a wifey to point out the truth to him.
P.S. The character of Dr Cuthbertson is not intended offend any Texans, that's just the accent I heard in my head when he appeared! He is merely another obstacle along the road to creating Sam the wonder-physicist.
"Major Carter, I wish I could say that it was good to see you again."
No matter how many times he met Dr Cuthbertson, Jacob could never get over just how strong his Texan accent still was despite 30 years away from that state. Jacob was almost willing to bet that he was wearing cowboy boots under the table, but in all the years since Mark had started at this high school he hadn't had a chance to see. He was now equally willing to bet that Cuthbertson's belief system had no niche for girls taking Physics. Well he was an Air Force Major, wasn't he? He could take the knocks, right?
Plunging right on in, Jacob opened with: "Well I was looking forward to a nice chat about how well Sammie is doing, but obviously you have other ideas."
"You allow your daughter to take Physics, in a class full of teenage boys and you expect me to be pleased?" The good doctor almost spluttered. "I have never seen something so preposterous in all my life, but the headmaster insisted that it continue. In my opinion, Samantha is not suitably equipped to take this class, and my students' grades are lower than average as a result of the extra time needed to explain matters."
Jacob was taken aback. He didn't know what to say. After so many years of hearing the usual mantra – conscientious worker, could try harder, good marks overall – he had grown used to expect nothing less than a C at the very worst, and that was usually from Mark. His daughter might have chosen some unusual subjects for a girl, but even so..
"You mean Sammie is failing?" His incredulity was so evident that the parents at the table next door turned round to see what all the noise was about.
Dr Cuthbertson, however, seemed to be gearing up for a little more bluster.
"My students do not fail, Mr Carter –"
"Major. Not Mr."
"– but I do not believe in progressing through the curriculum unless it is clear that every student has gained the knowledge needed to continue! It is counter-productive, and wastes time later on when we refer back to previous notes. As a result I am a whole chapter behind the usual timetable, and it can all be traced back to your daughter's disruptive influence!"
Jacob was pretty sure that he could see flecks of froth bubbling between Dr Cuthbertson's lips by this point, and he sure as hell wasn't too happy about the man's jabbing forefinger. Not a happy bunny then.
"So Mr Cuthbertson –"
"Doctor, if you please!"
"- how exactly is Sammie disrupting the class?"
"Didn't you hear a word I said? It is very time-consuming to go over these matters again and again with yourself as well as with you daughter in the class room." A small blob of spittle flew on to the desk. Jacob shuddered. "I have to repeat myself time and time again to get the teaching across; experiments take far longer than they should do; and she insists upon completing her homework by using different theories to those that should be used at this stage of the curriculum."
The finger wasn't jabbing at his face any more, it was curled in a fist and thumping the desk, but Jacob thought he might of caught something right at the end there.
"But does she get it right?"
"Excuse me?" The red-faced teacher seemed exasperated.
Jacob fought the urge to roll his eyes. 'And I thought the Air Force was set in its ways..'