Symmetry only lasts one minute

9. Regina, the Admiral

Anyone who had written to the psychologist, politely asking him to consult the Dean on the matter, with some hesitation wondered if "Lavinia Mairal" was "violating article 4 of the 1998 Student Statute, to the detriment of Eleusi Nonnis" , adding: "It is my belief that it is necessary to investigate and establish it shortly".Lavinia's suspension lasted two days.Two long, memorable mornings, during which Eleusi breathed deeply and had the opportunity to talk a bit with all her classmates, who realized they did not know her at all and that they had misjudged her a little superficially."Don't fool yourself" Regina wrote her in their common notebook "The Principal was very persuasive about it."The "persuasion" concerned an upcoming, possible educational trip, perhaps to Prague. No one who did not score at least an eight in conduct could ever participate in it; sentence without appeal.This vote would have been quite complex: no encouragement to pose as "mummies", but an invitation to take an active interest in all subjects, further promoting "inclusion, intellectual development and the well-being of all the classmates."- All we need is that they expect us to spread joy from all pores, for the sole good fortune of attending the "glorious prince institute"! - Selma apparently commented angrily.Eleusi saw everyone asking questions to teachers; even Selma, in fact.And even in chemistry."A general fiction that is simply unbearable," Regina had added, in the same notebook.Eleusi, on the other hand, was convinced that the headmaster was a genius: it was nice to see everyone finally so alive.There was an echo of some discontent on the part of some parents, who were doubtful or even resentful of the further evaluation criterion."Any evaluation is at the discretion of the teachers" was reiterated in the class council. Another sentence without appeal.Lavinia returned.Not before his father could have his required, lengthy interview with the Principal.- What on earth could he have told her, and with what chutzpah? - Asked at the top of the steps, amused, a new face for Regina. He was a nice boy, with an affable air and a Roman accent.He seemed already informed of everything, by thread and by sign, and it was evident that he immediately appreciated the company of Eleusi's friend.- Well, he must have told her ... "You don't know who I am!" or something like that - Regina snapped.Lavinia's father was in fact the famous lawyer Mairal.The boy laughed, benevolent, at that resolve.- Suspicions all fall on you - he said then.Regina flushed.- I don't know if I will like that amoeba of your friend - he provoked her - But what you did is simply great -At the call of Livolsi, professor of Italian literature, the boy, sitting behind Regina and Eleusi, answered the name of Orlando Vassallo.Lavinia laughed at it.Selma nudged her for the imprudence: the newcomer did not seem like a fool.Orlando immediately proved not to be.- With a name like that - Livolsi commented smiling - you will certainly know Boiardo and Ariosto well ... - and this time they all laughed, but not maliciously like Lavinia.- Instead, what can you tell me about Dante Alighieri? - She then asked."Everything," Orlando declared, without shielding himself.And the whole class opened a lot of eyes.- Please, then. I'm all ears! - the teacher invited him to expose.- Durante degli Alighieri - enunciated Vassallo - born perhaps in 1265 and certainly baptized on Holy Saturday of 1266, from a high-ranking Florentine family but not strictly noble, already at his birth, according to Boccaccio, he was the protagonist of a magnificent vision from his mother Bella degli Abati ... -Everyone listened in rapt silence.Eleusi, unsure of her own reaction to this, saw Regina blush.The time for religion lesson came.Lavinia and Selma disappeared, as usual.Orlando thought of imitating them in the near future, but was not yet decided on the matter. He remained, with the amused intention of being the devil's advocate.There was talk of the origin of the Universe.The brilliant elements of the class, on the strength of their huge extracurricular readings, indulged themselves: who cited Lemaitre, who Gamow, who still Hoyle.But, roughly, they all agreed about the Big Bang theory, somehow.Someone speculated that there were many universes, ignoring Linde's multiverse.The teacher smiled, impressed, at each of them.- There could be an objection to this - said Eleusi, with courage - presented by a possible creationist. -Orlando laughed: - Ah, sure! One of those who support the great feats of a certain Yahwé, the "great god of armies" who took forty years to reach Palestine from Egypt! -A little everyone smiled in agreement; the boy, on his first day, already seemed to have captivated the class.- Shall we make a comparison with the conquests in just eleven years of Alexander the Great, one who certainly did not pretend to be omnipotent? -Eleusi, a little annoyed but amused, explained her reasons:- For example, the cell types in our body are all highly differentiated, each generated from a different embryonic cell line.All these lines, however, derive from the so-called "totipotent stem cells". -Eleusi paused for a while, and someone wondered the connection between his excursus and the starting point.- And what if the entire Universe - she continued - had originated, in a comparable way, from a primary cause, subsequently able to differentiate into various phenomena, each then developed independently? -Orlando could no longer answer.At that time, little was known about stem cells in public opinion.Eleusi, for him, was no longer the amoeba, but the mystic.He motioned for Regina to turn and said, "Now I understand why you protect her."You are an Admiral! -