The X-Project

Callie is worried about American History and comes to see Sam who has buried himself in work to keep his mind occupied.

Callie stopped in front of the door and paused before issuing three even knocks. She hoped this was the right office, but couldn't be one hundred percent certain until she knocked. There was only one class she was feeling anxious about, what with the jostling about between schools, and her father had suggested she talk to the teacher before classes started.

Sam had not been back in long after helping to find Dr. Skrul and Jay being transferred to Muir. He dove directly into his work and preparations for school in order to keep his mind occupied. This all made a knock at his door more then welcome and he answered with a smile just about as soon as she finished knocking. "Callie. Come by for a book?" He stepped back and waved her in, leaving the door open as he went back to his desk, like a good Southern man would.

"Hi Professor Guthrie," Callie said cheerfully as she stepped through the threshold and into the office. "I was hoping to maybe pick up a book to read before classes start? Something on US History?" She absentmindedly scratched a mosquito bite on her leg before quickly realizing what she was doing and switched to playing with the bottom of her shirt. "I hope I'm not disturbing you. I can come back later if you want."

"Now's fine. It's always good to see a student." Sam smiled genuinely. "What kind of US History are you looking for? We might not be much past two-hundred years old but a lot has happened. It really depends on what you're interested in.” Sam spun his chair around to face the book shelf behind him. It was full of all sorts of books, from small paperbacks to large hardbacks, and they all had something to do with history.

Callie shrugged. "American history was never my forte," she explained tentatively as she eyed the collection of books. "I mean I work hard and everything, but it just never really changes? And my teachers always took us to the same places on field trips. It just got really dull and monotonous after awhile." She realized that it sounded like she was insulting American History. Deciding this might not be the best way to get on good terms with a new teacher and decided to try a different route. "But I mean you gave me that Wikipedia link like back in June and it was pretty interesting. And my dad wants me to take the AP in May so I figure I should probably try again."

"Well, I teach a bit differently then most teachers. If you try hard then I suspect you need a different style of teaching." Sam looked over his book shelf before getting a book out and setting it on the desk. "I don't care about dates or names that much. I want you to focus on what order things happened in and how all those changes affected everything after them. It sounds like a bit much at first but it will start to make sense, I think." He smiled to her helpfully. "If you want to do AP then I'll work with you as much as you'd like to make it happen."

As Sam explained his teaching style, Callie let his words mull over in her mind. Perhaps he was right, she thought. Perhaps part of the problem she had with history was the approach. Maybe something new and different would make it easier for her to learn, or at least it couldn't hurt. "That sounds... pretty good actually," she said finally, eyeing the book and walking toward his desk. "I mean I don't mind extra reading or assignments, because I think I'd at least try to take the test? Even if I don't do well on it, it looks good that I've tried." Callie reached out and touched the book Sam had pulled out, then turned to him and asked, "What's this?"

"That... is a book about effects of different historical events on current America. It's a quick over view but it should help to get you prepared for how I'll be teaching and the kind of answers I'll be looking for when I ask a question." Sam smiled to Callie. "If you want to do advanced placement just let me know. This isn't just my job, the mansion is full of my family and I'll do whatever it is you need done for us to make sure you get everything you want out of school. A lot of people forget that school should be for the students."

Callie picked up the book to examine it. She knew that there were certain things she wanted in her life, and that she needed to work hard to achieve them. With the options that Sam was proposing, it seemed that perhaps she was better positioned now than ever to obtain them. Despite all this, Callie still hesitated, though she didn't quite know why. "May I," she began, looking up from the book. "May I borrow this? To read? I can probably have it all read by the time classes start. Maybe. I can definitely get most of it done. And perhaps then we can decide what I should do?"

"You can borrow it for as long as you need to. There's not a rush for you to decide Callie. You have plenty of life left, I think you should decide based on what you want to do. If you like that style of history and want to devote more time to it then go into advanced placement classes. If not then that's alright as well." Sam smiled to her, then thought for a moment. "I'd like you to watch a video for me. You can find it on YouTube and it's called Music and Life. It's a recording of Alan Watts animated by a few famous people. I think he says things better then I will."

"Thank you Mr. Guthrie. You've given me a lot to think about." Truthfully though she was much more confused now that when she entered. Nevertheless she managed return Sam's smile. "And I'll make sure to look for that Alan Watts clip. Thank you."