Sequel to "The Lenny encounter" and "The Lenny relationship" about how Leonard met Penny. Everything belongs to Chuck Lorre and friends. Part 2, meet the Professor.

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The day after their return from Nebraska Penny and Sheldon met Amy for lunch in the Caltech canteen.

Amy "How was your morning Penny?"

Sheldon "Did you meet with your PhD student?"

Penny "Yes, I had a good talk with Sally, I made some changes to her PhD thesis chapter and persuaded her she didn't have to panic. She is working on another chapter so we are going to meet again next week."

Amy "Well done Penny, will Sally be your first student to complete their thesis?"

Penny "That's right. Of course after telling Sally that everything was fine I was panicking myself about this afternoon's meeting with Kripke. I do not like that man, I can't think what he wants?"

Sheldon "Ever since we introduced him to Leonard last year he has kept well clear of us."

Penny "That's right, apart from at the monthly Physics staff meetings I have hardly seen him."

Amy "What time is your meeting?"

Penny "Three o'clock this afternoon, it is scheduled to last for the rest of the afternoon."

Sheldon "Don't worry, we will wait for you to finish before we head home."

Amy "Don't panic Penny, we will be waiting."

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At three o'clock Penny entered Kripke's office to see quite a crowd. As well as Professor Kripke, Professor Winkle and some other senior Physics Professors were also there as was Professor Gablehauser, Dean of the Science Faculty.

"Hewwo, Hewwo Penny, please come in and take a seat."

Penny nervously sat down.

"How was your trip to Nebraska?"

"It was an interesting trip, it is always good to go home to see my family."

"How is your formidable mother?"

"She must be mellowing in her old age, she was nice to me."

"Really, the fearsome Professor Schwartz!"

"Tell me Professor Kripke, why am I here, what do you want?"

"Well Dr. Walsh you know we take it in turns to be head of department here in the Physics department at Caltech. My two years will be up in two months time. We would like you to succeed me..."

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Two months later, in the main Physics lecture theatre, Professor Kripke gave a farewell speech to the Physics department on his last day as head of department.

"So, in conclusion I would like to thank everyone for their support for me as head of department these last two years. I wish to apologise to my graduate students for not being around to supervise them very often, I promise to be a better supervisor now I can concentrate on Physics again. So can we all welcome our new head of department, Professor Penny Walsh."

To a huge round of applause Penny went up fo the front, shook hands with Professor Kripke and started to speak.

"Thank you Professor Kripke, when I came here as a postdoc ten years ago I never thought I would be up here as a Professor. I don't want anyone to panic, I don't intend to be as fierce as my mother..."