14001/Campus Coincidence

Campus Coincidence
Date of Scene:	30 January 2023
Location:	Columbia University
Synopsis:	Hannigan and Stadler have a chance encounter at Columbia University. Small talk about their reasons there turn into heated words on the value of higher education. Tensions leave escalated.
Cast of Characters:	Richard Stadler, Michael Hannigan

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Richard Stadler has posed:
There was something Rick found a bit stuffy at the 'private' universities he had visited over his term. He felt he was entitled to a bit of an opnion on them, certainly; he'd been to four different higher insitutes of learning, each in a different State, and wasn't a stranger to academia, but this had been public insitutions; no matter how exclusive one of those was, it still didn't jusr feel like it was infused with money and privilge, ingrained over every brick in the path between buildings, or in the lawn out front (though perhaps that was just what must be the /expense/ of the land.

All of it was certainly out of Rick's price range (City College had just as nice views and a much cheaper price, given how desperate anyone and everyone was for teachers), but that was the opposite when it came to taking a job or two. This one had been an easy one, at that; one of old advisors from a previous school wanted to spend a session mixing biology with IR, and it was about 50 minutes speaking to a bunch of bored 19 year olds on the importance of strong biodefence policies in government. A few interested questions from those eager go getters up front (Maybe even one or two who might be the next Richard Stadler, he could certainly dream), and it was done. Some hand shaking, a declined dinner offer, and he was hurriedly moving down the path outside, worn, polished shoes clacking aganist alternating brick and concrete, a hand slightly loosening his tie. It was a colder day, but maybe a walk down the waterfront park might be a good way to get the steps in.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Rick makes his escape from the stuffy stuffiness of the Columbia building, another does the same from a nearby one. Michael Hannigan, however, wore no tie. The musician didn't even wear anything with a collar. Unless you count the jacket that's protecting him from the cool January temperatures of New York City. Mike was wearing simple fare. Goodwill's finest and a knit cap to hide away the hair that helps identify him as his stage persona.

Mike bears no bookbag or holds anything that resembles texts either. The only thing he really does hold right now is a desire to hit up a nearby shop for some hot tea. So intent on the task, he doesn't notice as he crosses Dr. Stadler's path.

Richard Stadler has posed:
Richard isn't going to forget Mike's face that easily; certainly if he had just been a 21 year old girl who was on Team Dominic because she was trying to have just the right amount of edge, the disguise might have worked with the social anexity and kept him from a nervous squealing 'ohmigod'. But, he wasn't. So he looks up to the man walking past him and calls out after a split second of curiousity. "Mr. Hannigan?" He asks,, waving a quick hand. "It is you. Sorry. Needed to get a bit of a closer look." No introduction of himself, at this point; he felt it must be implied. "Didn't expect to see you around a place like this. Speaking engagement?" A pause. "You... don't have kids going here, do you?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Hearing his legal last name at a time he wasn't expecting it. Mike's brows lift as he spins, looking over towards Richard. There's a moment of quiet before a name comes with the face.

The perils of locational context.

The expression relaxes as the musician walks over towards the educator. "Ah, Dr. Stadler. I could say the same. We're a bit of a distance from Happy Harbor. And no, I don't have kids."

Well, he thinks at least. No one's come out of the woodworks asking for money so there is that.

"No speaking engagement either. But my vocal coach needed to have today's session here."

Richard Stadler has posed:
The strange location made it all the better, of course. Manhatten may have been an island, but it was still a a big place. One had to appreciate serendipity where one could find it! Stadler does nod quickly, though, when reference to the distance is made, looking behind him to the building he just left. "Well, it certainly is. Different island, too. But I'm not going to turn down 200 dollars for an hours worth of work. Have to get off campus before they realized that I'm not worth nearly as much as that." He gives a small smile, before whistling softly. "Here? Unless your vocal couch is a student, I don't think that would be cheap... but I suppose you might be dealing in a different sphere of wealth than I'm used to. Wouldn't be suprised if the contacts here were worth the tutition by themselves for the right people."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike gives a slight smirk for the mention of how much Richard got paid to be here. Ah. Two hundred for an hour gig is not bad, indeed. I wouldn't turn that down either... supposing I could actually do what was being asked."

Mike looks to the building he came from as Richard comments to the price. "He's not." Mike agrees, "But, once you reach a certain point, the cost of getting someone who can teach you tends to go up. Or you get creative and find something of comparable value to offer in exchange. Fortunately for me, Shaw Records is very good with working out agreements."

Richard Stadler has posed:
There's a dismissive 'tck' and tone to Richard's next statment. "Oh, it's easy enough. Could have done it even without the research into what I was speaking, and I think it was just a loophole. Some... bright idea someone from their administration had about getting the right person with the right resume list in for a quick speech. I suppose it's not unlike the movie business... well. I don't exactly have a... whatchamacallit, SAG card, so I couldn't say." He pauses again, considering that method of... well... He looks a bit uncertain. "Now, when you say... comparable value and agreements... We're... not talking about euphamisms, are we?" It mean, it was Show Business; who knows what they did behind close doors? "Though with the experience you have, I imagine that you'd be the ones teaching the courses."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
The musician looks at Richard for a moment, head tilting before he starts to laugh. "Oh no. It's usually something similar to what Shaw Studios does for Happy Harbor. Some of the students have assignments that involve in studio work. And for those who do composition studies, they might need session musicians to fill in the gaps for a senior project."

Mike lifts up a hand, "And I work to be as flexible with instrumentation as possible so it cuts down on head hunting time. And studio time can get quite expensive."

Richard Stadler has posed:
"Ahh. Still.. can't really blame me for thinking otherwise." He says, as if this might just be... obvious for moviee stars. "But that makes sense, I suppose. Again, similar to what I'm doing here; trading skills and name for other things... well. Primarily money. I do wish a teacher's salary went a bit farthur in this city." He sighs, before shaking his head again. "But, I can imagine that being able to use what you have avalible... well. Also very helpful. Get coaching from anyone I know? A fellow alum, perhaps?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Ah yes. That stereotype." Mike responds, "...Although I suppose some might do that." He frowns momentarily before he chuckles, "I guess, that's kind of a weird compliment that you thought me doing that would be sufficient for the usual rate to be waived." There's a moment of quiet before Mike answers Rick's question, "I was seeing William Brawley."

Richard Stadler has posed:
There's blank look on Richard's face as the name is mentioned, and he's not too proud to make note of it. "I... am unfamiliar with the name, I'm sorry. Granted I don't run in those circles, and it's not like I know a lot about this place besides what I see from across the park, for the most part; I'm a City College man, myself. At this time." He quickly moves to clarify. "And why wouldn't it? I don't know anyone else whose been in the movies. Or written songs at a prolific rate. Certainly happen to show up in more news reports than I do!" Another pause. "Though... given what Happy Harbor.... the student body and instructors, I mean, maybe I should be more used to my collegues appearing in the Times. Or the Post."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"No apology needed." Mike assures. "It'd be a bit demanding for you to keep track of every person of note in every occupation there is." When Rick mentions where he went, the musician shrugs, "And I don't really know much about the life of an educator or a scientist. Or college life really. I stopped at the GED. Everything else is mainly self study, mentorship, and general in the field experience. Well, I might cheat and pick up an online course here or there as I need it but in general, on hand learning. Different paths, different results."

Richard Stadler has posed:
Stadler shakes his head there. "Oh, I don't need to know every person of note. I just need to seem like I do. Really, easier than you think so long as you anticipate properly. I'm sure if I had knew you were coming I'd have made a more impressive showing." He gives a little bit of a grin....

That freezes on his face as Mike indicates he doesn't know about college life. The smile falls a bit, as he looks more... confused than anything else at this point. "I'm sorry, you... did you say GED- no, no." He corrects himself. "That, nothing wrong with that, different pathes, just like you said, nothing wrong with the GED, but we're in the middle of the closest thing to the Capital of the World we'll see in our lives. Just-"

Deep breath. Rick didn't exactly come from a family of academics, but he sure as hell got involved in it. "Sorry. Sorry, that... you have an image of someone in your head, and it sort of... threw me for a loop. Why haven't you headed to college now, then? Not even a 4 year- Hell, BMCC's over in Tribeca!"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Oh dear. It appears that Mike just stated the equivalent of a four letter word towards Richard. As the man has a stuttering fit, Mike grows quiet. The smile he had been sporting fades.

"Well," Mike bites out, "I could give you a play by play of what life was like for me growing up. How miserable the last 8 years of childhood was. The backs turned. But here's a cliffs notes version. It was made clear to me early on and often that any conceivable paths to college- I wasn't allowed on. I had to switch to home schooling. I got my GED as soon as I could and I got a job so I could do silly things. Like making rent. And eating."

The musician's eyes narrow, "But you're right. There's a college there. Surely they'll accept any 'trouble making piece of trash seventeen year old who can't get a single recommendation' from Hell's Kitchen. Maybe I should have. And maybe if I was lucky I'd have earned a couple credits before dying of starvation or exposure. Oh yes. That'll show 'em!"

Richard Stadler has posed:
Stadler needed to think very carefully about how to approch this. Tha tactful route would be to properly ease off, apologize, explain his position in the tradition of reasonable debate. Yep. That's exactly what he should do. What he shouldn't do is get flustered and defensive. That would be-

"Oh, come on, did I- Look, you- I'm not blaming any of that. Jumped on the GED too fast, I know, but for the love of God I would have barely afforded Northwestern if I wasn't gunning for the scholarships that get you shot in the goddamn desert, and Lord knows I've seen 19 year olds that seem to just get younger every year doing the same thing only with an increased chance of that. And yes!" He exclaims, the word echoing between buildings, and him quieting down after a few moments. "I've been all over CUNY in the last year; you think a place like BMCC doesn't take kids with a GED? Or Laguardia, or Hostos-"

Mouth clamped shut. Deep breath. "God. I'm sorry. I don't know- No, I do know, it's... too many people think of college and see..." He geastures around him. "This. Some overprivleged elite boarding school for people to tick a box on a resume, and not... someplace where one can learn and grow and expand. And they don't give themselves a chance because of it. But, look, I understand. You weren't in a position then, like I said, pleanty of teenagers aren't. But what about now? That's what I meant. What about right now, when you've got some films under your belt, some hit singles?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Perhaps the tactful route would have been best, but the flabbergasted approach has its merits.

As Rick starts to ramble a bit to his own background, Mike's eyes open up a bit more, watching in silence.

And then Stadler's apologizing. Mike's posture shifts back, which is a mild surprise to the musician. When had he shifted forward? Was it during the talk of the GED or starving to death? But, no matter. The question is rephrased and the musician stares at Rick.

"Because, I've learned that I don't need a sheet of paper from one of these places to tell me what I'm worth." Mike replies. "They have a class I'm interested in? Fine. I'll take that class. But I'm not jumping through any goddamn hoops for something I no longer need."

A cellphone starts to ring.

The musician gives a sigh, "Anyways, my schedule's busy. I've got to go. So, have a good day. Rick." There is a brief half-assed wave to the professor before Mike turns and heads off, tugging the noisy device out of his pocket to answer it.

Richard Stadler has posed:
Stadler moves to adjust his glasses, pressing them slightly up his nose to compensate for the emotion and slight bit of sweat that had caused them to shift down. "Right, but... it's not just about the things you're interested in. It's the... there's an accomplishment behind it, and being pressed to learn things that you-" He starts, before the cellphone rings. That was the excuse, anyway, and honestly Rick wouldn't have blamed the man for trying to disengage from this ramble of his. He'd have to do the after action report in his head. The area, the subject matter, startle response? Certainly none of that could happen again. "Right. Of course. I'll... talk with you latter on campus, Mr. Hannigan. Have a good day." He notes, before sighing to himself, and heading in the other direction. That park walk was mandatory now. Things needed proper processing.