44. Back at work (4/6)
This morning it was pouring down with rain so shortcuts were in favour. Forgotten was the long walk through the gardens, everyone was cutting through. I wondered if the novelty had already worn off and pondered on human nature.
I was on my way to do my job when I met some 'guards' posted in the corridor. They were nice and said 'hello'. I felt like saying:
'Excuse-me, but are you aware that you are walking up and down the corridor? You must never ever go back on your steps. Remember: la marche en avant!'
I did not. I just said 'hello' back.
I then remembered the meeting and that we had been told that there would be people in the corridors to check on wanderers (there had been mentions of trips to the toilets).
I wondered briefly on the necessity to implement such a strict procedure ...
'Yes, Johnny! You may go to the toilets. Remember to wash your hands (this is a high school so little Johnny is 17 years old) and make sure you come back the long way around!'
'Oh! Miss! Please, can I come straight back? Please, your lesson is fascinating and I need to work hard for my future. I've already wasted enough time. Distance teaching has been quite disappointing to be honest.'
'No! Johnny, you must go the long way around, right round the building and outside through the grounds. And anyway, some people are watching you to make sure you do just that!'
'All right. But I'll be as quick as I can.'
...
Ah! Room 417!
I go inside and there is a someone in there frantically wiping the desk and the chair and anything in sight. I step back and thank him. I want to say that it's ok, I can do it myself, I've been given these lovely brand new microfibre wipes in bright blue and neon yellow. And there is this bottle of stuff that I've never used. He finishes with a quick wipe of the chair and he is gone.
I cannot put my things down nor sit down as the chair and the desk are wet! And I'm a liar. I have not got my beautiful colourful wipes with me. So I get a Kleenex out of my bag and wipe the whole thing dry.
The kids appear at the door, wearing masks. I find it difficult to remember who is who. I was bad enough at that back in the days when everything was normal, so now I am sure to get names wrong and upset them. There are only 5 of them! Where are all the other 30 ?
'At home, Miss, in bed. The bars are opened now, you know.'
Two hours of me speaking English has the same effect as reading bedtime stories. Plus they're hungry, they say, they're not used to that cruel routine anymore.
I place bets on who will be back for the next 'fascinating' lesson.
I was on my way to do my job when I met some 'guards' posted in the corridor. They were nice and said 'hello'. I felt like saying:
'Excuse-me, but are you aware that you are walking up and down the corridor? You must never ever go back on your steps. Remember: la marche en avant!'
I did not. I just said 'hello' back.
I then remembered the meeting and that we had been told that there would be people in the corridors to check on wanderers (there had been mentions of trips to the toilets).
I wondered briefly on the necessity to implement such a strict procedure ...
'Yes, Johnny! You may go to the toilets. Remember to wash your hands (this is a high school so little Johnny is 17 years old) and make sure you come back the long way around!'
'Oh! Miss! Please, can I come straight back? Please, your lesson is fascinating and I need to work hard for my future. I've already wasted enough time. Distance teaching has been quite disappointing to be honest.'
'No! Johnny, you must go the long way around, right round the building and outside through the grounds. And anyway, some people are watching you to make sure you do just that!'
'All right. But I'll be as quick as I can.'
...
Ah! Room 417!
I go inside and there is a someone in there frantically wiping the desk and the chair and anything in sight. I step back and thank him. I want to say that it's ok, I can do it myself, I've been given these lovely brand new microfibre wipes in bright blue and neon yellow. And there is this bottle of stuff that I've never used. He finishes with a quick wipe of the chair and he is gone.
I cannot put my things down nor sit down as the chair and the desk are wet! And I'm a liar. I have not got my beautiful colourful wipes with me. So I get a Kleenex out of my bag and wipe the whole thing dry.
The kids appear at the door, wearing masks. I find it difficult to remember who is who. I was bad enough at that back in the days when everything was normal, so now I am sure to get names wrong and upset them. There are only 5 of them! Where are all the other 30 ?
'At home, Miss, in bed. The bars are opened now, you know.'
Two hours of me speaking English has the same effect as reading bedtime stories. Plus they're hungry, they say, they're not used to that cruel routine anymore.
I place bets on who will be back for the next 'fascinating' lesson.
Comments
Post a Comment