Broadly Speaking

Gordon was smirking as he heard a knock at the door. It had been his turn to name the graduates from the school. He normally chose students' codenames to be roughly based on weapons. That didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun. Especially if the student wasn't particularly likable by any stretch of the imagination.

"Broad?!"

Gordon was grinning like a loon as a particularly reticent student stomped in. At least this one had been bright enough or connected enough to figure out who gave out codenames. "Yes. Like the English Broadsword. I've named one of your classmates Damascus, you know."

The man's face began rapidly purpling. Gordon continued with his best shit-eating grin. This was probably the most satisfying part of the job. It was funny how nobody told students that they had a month to file the name change paperwork before they were stuck with it for the next five years. "His name actually sounds professional! What am I supposed to do when I meet clients?!"

Gordon shrugged. That sounded like a big fat heap of not his problem. "I'm sure your training and professional demeanor will shine through. Not to mention, overcoming adversity is a trait we prize in our graduates."

The man was now glaring at him. Broad looked like he was about to blow a gasket. "It's a stupid codename and we both know it."

Gordon was occasionally glad that Oliver and Jet had made him pass a professional communications course. It came in handy when goading annoying ex-students. He was eighty percent sure that had not been the intended lesson he was meant to learn but this was what they got for making him take that stupid class. "And what were you hoping to accomplish by stomping in here? You do know that the paperwork is all pre-done before you graduate. Well, I'm not sure about the other instructors, but that's what I do."

Broad's eye was twitching. Gordon was enjoying this far too much. The man glowered at him. "This is a personal attack on my career and I'm going to report you!"

Gordon was glad his office had surveillance. He was going to cherish this recording for at least the next few years. He beamed at Broad. "And just who are you going to report me to?!"

Broad seemed stumped by that question. He was never Gordon's brightest student. Gordon was just going to wait for a response. "The manager?"

Gordon had been waiting for this moment his entire career. He spun his chair around. He grabbed the badge that had his name and "manager" on it. Technically, he was a senior employee to everyone but Jet and Oliver. He stuck the badge on and whipped it back around. "You're speaking to him."

Broad's facial expression was priceless. Gordon continued with his shit-eating grin. There was another long pause. He wondered if he had finally pissed the wrong man off. "You're a piece of shit. And I'm telling D'Arc."

Gordon rolled his eyes. Broad whipped toward the door. He sniggered as his former student left. He called out after the man. "You do that!"

Gordon was nearly whapped in the face as the door swung at him. He snorted as he caught it with his hand. Score. Hopefully, Oliver's oily ass didn't overrule him. Gordon doubted that the man would but maybe Broad had managed to score unexpected Board Approval Points.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Gordon grinned. It sounded like Jet. She was probably his favorite colleague. Mostly because she was the only one who wasn't outright mean to him unless he wound her up. "Come in."

Sure enough, his Thai colleague swept in. Jet was a beautiful woman. Gordon admired the effort she put into her wardrobe while realizing he would never do anything close to that. There must be a party or meeting later. "Gordon. Did you codename one of our students Broad?"

Gordon grinned at the sound of her familiar accent. Jet looked more amused than annoyed. He considered that a positive sign. "Yup. It's after the English Broadsword!"

Jet folded her arms. Gordon watched her eyebrow quirk. He gave her his most earnest look. "Gordon. You're an idiot."

Gordon grinned at the familiar banter. It was pretty much the general opinion of the island that he was the dumbest teacher on the docket by far. Probably even most of the students. "And you people let me do half the handy tasks around here and teach the kiddies about firearms and explosives."

Jet sent an exasperated look at the sky. Gordon thought she looked like a princess when she did that all dressed up. She still had her eyes rolled when she retorted. "That's beside the point! Why did you codename a student Broad?! You knew he had body issues due to childhood obesity!"

That was news to Gordon. He rarely bothered reading student profiles. Especially when he disliked said students. "I did?"

Jet flushed. She should probably have realized that by now. Then again, he knew she hated fancy parties like the one she was dressed for. "GORDON! WHY DO YOU NEVER READ THE STUDENT BRIEFS?!"

The real answer was pure laziness. Also, the words floated around the page, so he couldn't be fucked with reading most days. At least gun books had audiobook versions. "I like to think it helps with giving the students a clean slate."

Jet continued. She must not want to go to the party any time soon. "THEY ARE IMPORTANT PARTS OF INDIVIDUALIZING OUR INSTRUCTION!"

Gordon shrugged. All of his students learned the subject matter pretty well. He had very high pass rates and they weren't accidental. "I still think my way is better."

Jet gave him a fond look. Gordon felt his heart pumping from the argument. He was grinning. "You're awful and I don't know how you keep your job."

Gordon gave her his most charming smile. Jet didn't even bat an eye. As expected. "I'm just that good. And don't you have some sort of party to get to?"

Jet glanced at her watch and grimaced. Definitely a Rothman party, then. He knew full well Jet hated these things. "Yes. Professor Yermalov has agreed to be my date for the evening."

There was a fun piece of information. Gordon had questions. "Soooo, is he asexual or just traumatized?"

Jet's look could have scorched steel. Luckily, Gordon was immune at this stage of his career. "You should be banned from human interaction, you gutter rat. And we aren't dating."

"Too bad. It might improve his mood."

Gordon dodged as his chair pillow went sailing toward him. He caught the pillow.

Jet sighed loudly. "I'm going to the party now. With civilized people."

That was just rude. Gordon wasn't that bad. Besides, there were worse offenders. "Nile IS WORSE!"

Jet ignored him and shut the door brusquely. Gordon continued grinning as he eyed his bottle of scotch. It was looking a bit dusty. Perhaps he should dust it.

Fin