17809/A Degree Of Uncertainty

A Degree Of Uncertainty
Date of Scene:	29 April 2024
Location:	Shaw Studios - Beach Retreat (Happy Harbor)
Synopsis:	All Rick wanted to do was take a jog. Instead he ends up in a discussion about college courses. Wade takes glee in finding a fellow conspirator. Mike really has bad timing.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Richard Stadler

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Michael Hannigan has posed:
Happy Harbor is extra happy today. As for the source of this added bliss, that can be attributed to the FINE WEATHER going on. Not too hot. Not too cold. A fine temperature to do outside things in. Now some may choose to ruin it by doing yardwork but not Wade Shaw. Although he technically is still working, just a few moments ago he performed a simple check of the paying guests taking advantage of the pool area. And now?

He's checking the mail.

Key in hand, Wade strolls down the walkway to the bricked in mailbox. Sure, to the more insistent mailbox smashers that might not stop them bu-

Ok. Technically if they did use their car, it might actually stop them after the fact-

Well you get the idea.

WHAT A FINE DAY TO BE OUTDOORS!

Richard Stadler has posed:
     Of course it was a very nice day out... something that seemed so rare these days in New York. Perhaps it was simply a gloomy disposition from someone who saw temperatures San Diego would consider normal and lament the fact that he couldn't wear a coat without seeming suspicious. Still, it was hardly an excuse not to get out there from his office at the community college and spend an hour just escaping into some rout physical activity. A couple of miles through and he could end up at the Loop stop on the island itself-

It wasn't as if Rick didn't want to be social. He did like a good discussion. But today it was catching him a bit cold... it shouldn't have, honestly. He knew this path would take him by Shaw Studios (And curse them for having a slice of Long Island in their beachfront property), so he should have known he'd have a chance of meeting someone there. Well, nothing for it but to raise a hand to Wade as he moved forward, say 'Evening' and hope that the small talk trap didn't glue him in place.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
It may be happy weather in Happy Harbor but that doesn't mean all wishes come true. As Wade unlocks the mailbox to reach in, the movement of someone approaching causes for him to look. Recognizing the approaching figure, he smiles, tugging out the mail before facing the approaching educator. "Good Evening Mr. Stadler."

The box clicks shut as Wade removes the key. "How are things at the schools?"

And so, the trap of decorum has been set.

Richard Stadler has posed:
     Fuck.

Oh, well, nothing to do about the suck but embrace it. It certainly wasn't the worst unpleasant scenario he has had to do the same in, at least, so just give a smile and slow down to a walk and prepare to talk about what a /very fine day/ it happened to be. "Mr. Shaw, evening. Just enjoying some of this fine weather before heading home for the night." He noted, before flipping up his watch and pressing two fingers to his neck. Might as well take some time to make sure he was hitting targets.

"Oh, fine. School is fine. Though I think we're all a bit... stretched lately. Things have been a bit... hectic in the boroughs, and it's bleeding through everywhere."

He removes his fingers from his neck, nodding to himself, and looking toward Wade. "Any films I need to tell people I knew about before they were cool?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Wade gives a sympathetic nod to the mention of the hectic nature of the boroughs. "It has been pretty busy." He admits, "...But New York is no stranger to excitement. I'm...somewhat glad Mike was booked out of country when the UN stuff hit. His luck at times is just-"

Wade shakes his head, sliding the key into his pocket. "As for recommendations. I'd probably just list off anything a client was starring in. I was more involved in judging the vocal quality for The Count of Monte Cristo. Miss Olivie was quite a find. I suspect she'll do well in Sunny Hollywood once the studios come a knocking."

Richard Stadler has posed:
     "It could do more to distance itself from excitement. Excitement is a rather toxic friend, at the moment." He says, geasturing toward the Statue of Liberty and a building on Ellis Island that should be there at this point, but isn't. "I won't lament Mike being away for the dangerous things. Certainly being in places like Hollywood would be better than over here. Haven't been, myself- Well, not Hollywood. Spent a little time in that dessert they have closer to Nevada."

He pauses for a moment. "Though if he has all this time to jetset, I really should nail him down for a few classes at the local community college. He's right there, you'd think it'd kill him to take a statistics course."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Rick puts in the slight towards Mike regarding college classes, Wade's head tilts up.

"Oh really?"

A wry smile slowly forms across the studio owner's features before the ends snake upwards. "Well, I'd hardly call the hours he puts into work, 'jet setting'. Even when he's in the air, he's working. But, I'm curious... why are you interested in the manner in which he learns?"

Richard Stadler has posed:
     "I can... understand that. Intellectually, if not emotionally. Acting is one of those jobs that's hidden from most people by a layer of mystique, after all, and I suppose I only see the good parts." Rick says, hand resting against the brick mailbox. "But in terms of what manner in which he learns, I think I've had this conversation with him before, and it caused... some friction. But as long as you're the one listening, Structured instruction is different from learning apace by yourself. Certainly, it takes drive, but there's many things that even I don't know, and wouldn't have sought out had it not been for my professors pointing me in the right direction. Best way to do that is to commit yourself to a course. Or it has been for me."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Wade nods slowly as Rick starts to explain his general idea of how education should work. As far as responses go it's reasonably promising. The smile doesn't waver "Mr. Stadler. While I believe you to very much knowing of... your stuff, certainly you understand that there are different ways to learn. Different paces...and different ways to motivate."

The musician allows a few moments for the words to sink in, before continuing. "Would it appease you to know he's not that far away from a degree as you may think?"

Richard Stadler has posed:
     "Oh, I certainly appreciate that. I really do work at knowing my stuff. And yes, I have taken some teaching courses here for the journey in education, so I do understand there's different ways to motivate and learn, and I shouldn't exactly be concerned that he doesn't have the piece of paper if he knows the information. That being said." Rick notes, folding his arms and peering through glasses. "That does make it... a bit worse, you know. Sometimes there's an argument to be made that a degree in one's spare time takes a good amount of time, effort, and expense, and while I think the latter isn't an option, the former two are. But to know he's not that far away and simply stagnates, no, that doesn't leave me appeased. I'm sure Doctor MacIntyre would be good to cover what he has into something of an Education plan for him at the Community College."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Wade nods. Turning his head to glance towards the main building. "Mr. Stadler, while I understand that the foreign language class may not be a statistics class, it IS a class that would fit under the general education requirements of any degree. While it may be an excruciatingly slow pace for you. I have to balance this with work weeks that generally range in the 60-120 hour range, plus the 'jet setting', volunteer work, and trying to get him a regular sleep schedule. So please. Cut him some slack that he ONLY signed up for two classes this semester, okay?"

Wade shuffles the envelopes in hand, glancing to them. "Once I figure out how to get him to think that Geology is relevant to his career or helping out with the studio. We'll be golden. Alright?"

Richard Stadler has posed:
     Rick grimaces, the type of expression one has when you're wrong but certainly don't want to admit it. "No, no, the slow pace is meant to be the feature of a community college, not a bug. Taking courses like that that you can squeeze to gather up something toward a degree is..." He says, before sighing in annoyance. "admirable, honestly. But I'd have to hope he'd take less of a time there; there's only so much time to sleep, after all." This was clearly a case of doing as he said, not as he did. It was easy enough to make excuses for his own behavior.

"Fair. Fair enough. But sell him on the fact that a degree is the best way to help some of these kids out with what they're looking to do. If he's putting in some volunteer work, I imagine he might want to teach a drama class or two."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Hmm." Wade looks over to Rick. "The more I talk to you, the more I realize you don't know much about the man you've worked alongside. He may be branching out into acting, but we made sure he knows more about music than some who teach it at the college level."

Eyes glance down to the letters. Smiling as he lifts an envelope out, turning it to show the logo. "Now, if you REALLY want him to get it quick, we could just have him accept one of the honorary music doctorates. All it'd take is one little speech... well, combined with 15 years worth of work in the field."

Richard Stadler has posed:
     "Well, then, he works for a high school and community college, he likes giving back, he knows a lot of it. I don't see why he /can't/ teach at a college level. Well, everything except the degree, and it's useful to have some teaching courses-" He says, before taking a step back and pointing a hostile finger at the logo. "Nope. No, noooo, none of those. Yes, he's worked hard, understood, expanded the field, yes, but advanced /scholarship/? I don't know his as well as I thought, true, but I don't think he's published work, and without it, indeed, it's just a piece of paper." He says, frowning, arms folded.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
The envelope lowers. "Very well." Wade comments, "I'll just put it with the others." Wade tut tuts. "We'll just have to tide ourselves with just stopping with the Master's..." There's a brief glance to down the street before Wade backs up into the yard.

"I do believe I've kept you from your run long enough. But, should you ever get curious...I do have his transcripts."

With a small nod, Wade turns, and heads down the path to the house quickly.

A bit TOO quickly...

Richard Stadler has posed:
     "His transcripts? Oh, now that I know they exist, I'm going to be doing a little digging myself." He says, before raising his hand in a wave. "But good chatting with you. And for the love of god, /scholarship/." He says, grumbling as he starts back down the path. This is why you didn't stop for social calls. You got all grumpy about musicians.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As the door closes on Wade, one could almost imagine a faint chuckle for going that way.

HOW ODD.

The explanation for the quick retreat and the chuckle are soon answered along with another lesson.

When someone looks behind you and immediately moves away. You either run with them, or you quickly check to see what they're looking at.

Rick did not do this. Because otherwise...

"Rick?" Mike's voice rings out, "I actually need to speak with you..."

Richard Stadler has posed:
     RIchard finally was free of a social obligation, and was going to take a short cut and assume the getting was good. He's starting to jog away... when he hears Mike's voice behind him, and for a long moment, debates just continuing on. He was facing away, who knows if he would have heard it and for God's sake, next time he was jogging with headphones firmly in and visible.

But After a second, he stops, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath, before turning around. "Mike, it's like you have something aganist exercise. Fine, though. Let's set something up. For later. Because the sun's going down, it's getting colder, and it is a long way to the Loop station."