The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth

Looking up at the stars

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking up at the stars." – Oscar Wilde

2:00PM Monday May 5th at the Merenkahre College: Drama Room 2

"-and that concludes todays lesson. Jed, can you hold back a sec?" the head of drama at the college, Mr. Daley said. After just a week with the new students he was already amazed by their talent.

"One sec teach!" The younger man replied with a grin, as he finished making notes on the lesson. The amount of written work Drama entails is something that always catches new students off, so Mr. Daley had insisted they make notes every day, much to Jedediah's annoyance. He finished his last word, clicked the pen closed then shoved both it and the note book in his pocket. "What's the problem? 'Cause if it's about all them curse words I was just' usin' they're in the script and I can prove it!"

Mr. Daley caught Jed's arm as the younger man began rummaging around in his bag for proof "Jed, Jed stop that! You're not in trouble."

"Oh, sorry" Jedediah quickly shook the teachers arm off, not wanting to be manhandled "What then Gigantor?" He said with a smirk, he always felt great pride in the nicknames he gave to people.

"I told you not to call me that" the teacher said with a roll of his eyes.

"You also told me not to stage our last play in the round but who was wrong then?"

"You got lucky Jed, now listen." Mr. Daley folded his arms "Now, you're probably one of the most skilled actors in this class-"

"Well thanks Gigantor! I'll keep that in mind-"

"Let me finish! You're probably one of the most skilled actors in this class, when it comes to modern theatre. But let's face it your classical work really needs help."

"No comment." Jed said, shifting awkwardly on his heels. He knew Mr. Daley was right, but he really didn't want to admit it. He'd never been able to even read classical theatre, let alone recite it.

"It does Jed. So I've requested that someone from the year 13 class help you out."

Jedediah's face fell "What! Year 13? But they're so full of themselves; I've seen them act too! They ain't' even good!"

"That's your opinion Jed. Also this guy is new; he transferred over for the final year, so you haven't seen him yet." Mr. Daley clapped Jed on his shoulder as he walked out of the class room "You know you need the lessons Jed" he turned to him in the door way "So what do you say? At least meet the guy."

"Fine... tomorrow at the start lunch I'll meet you an' him in the drama office." Jed begrudgingly agreed.

"Great!" Mr. Daley went to leave, but then quickly skidded back "Oh! His name's Octavius by the way."

Jedediah grumbled to himself "Stupid poetic talk." he took extra care to glare at the poster of Shakespeare on the wall as he left.

--*--*--

12:40PM Tuesday May 6th at the Merenkahre College: Drama Office

"He'll be here in a second Octavius, don't worry." Mr. Daley said with a sheepish smile, deep down he had a feeling Jed wasn't going to show up.

"He had better not make a habit of this if he wishes for me to teach him. I have it in my right mind to-"

It was then that the man in question came bursting through the Drama office door holding a take away pot of cafeteria pasta. "Sowwf Im lte!" he said with a mouth full of food, when he realised that no one could understand him he quickly swallowed and repeated "Sorry I'm late."