Post by RandallBoggs on Jun 25, 2013 18:56:58 GMT -5
Alright...some MU bits were being held off until after the film (like other projects), and now that it's been out for a short bit, can finally do this. I have another piece concerning the sequel, but for now I have a bunch of other things that require my attention, so just have to settle for this for now.
This is a little piece between Hardscrabble and Randall, mostly from the former's POV. When? Well heh heh...it's a bit we don't see in the film. There's...well there might be some spoiler bits, but tried to smooth things over by leaving the "aftermath", which isn't shown much, of those "spoil bits" rather than the bits themselves.
To give you an idea, this is what happens after the Scare Games. So caution, SPOILERS...MAYBE...AHEAD. I don't think there's anything too openly spoilish, but just putting that caution there just in case.
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Transfer
Hardscrabble's legs crackled against the floor as she made her way to her office. Many things were going through her head at the moment, and many of those things have not surfaced in some time.
She had been surprised, like she had admitted. Sullivan and Wazowski had done something no monster ever had. They had managed to not only scare a group of adult humans, but were able to power an inactive door from the other side, from the human world. Not only was the basic premise of this event surprising, it was very inventive. The skill to do such a scare showed that Sullivan did, indeed, have the talent of his forebearers. Wazowski, while incapable of scareing, seemed to have put his academic prowess to great effect. While she knew she was right, that he would never be a scarer, he would find promise in other fields.
The Dean turned a corner, spotting the door that led to the hallway of her office.
It may have seemed cold to expel them, but she knew it was necessary. Not only were they guilty of cheating, at least Sullivan admitted so himself, they had caused quite an incident that would be public. Whether this would put MU in shame or in legend, she would have to wait and see. Still...their surprise had lead to granting, at least, the Oozma Kappa brotherhood a return to the Scare Program. Their performance at the Scare Games had...enticed a degree of curiosity in Hardscrabble. Perhaps confidence is all they needed. Still...how they would do is left to be seen.
The Dean opened the door, and entered the hallway. A few more clicks and she'd be to her-
Hardscrabble stopped, raising a brow, looking right. There was a room with glass windows, inside the building, there where an assortment of files were stored. Peering through the corner of windows, she spotted somebody sitting, waiting, on the bench set against the far wall. She had not expected to see anybody here. Her office, and the file room, were locked of course, so this person had to be content with waiting for whomever, or whatever they wanted.
She slowly made her way around the corner, her eyes focused on the individual in question. Strange. They seemed to have their belongings. A trunk, a bag...seems they may have everything they owned.
The monster didn't raise their head when Hardscrabble came around the corner, now in direct visual range of each other. Despite the volume of students at Monsters University, there were always some that were unique, some that stood out. This monsters was no exception, Hardscrabble knew exactly who this was.
"Boggs," Hardscrabble stated, not like a question though.
*
Randall sat on the bench outside the file room, waiting for the time when he'd be let into the office off to his right, Hardscrabble's office. He sat like he normally did, but kept his hands together. His bottom set intertwined making a slight oval opening. Thoughtful, but firm. His upper set had their digits locked, the tip of the formation reaching the bottom of his mouth, as if to help keep it up.
He was staring at nothing in particular, most of the time that is. On occasion, his pupils would move slightly to the left or right, indicating he was accessing parts in his brain that he was thinking of at the moment. Things he remembered, things he knew, things he consider of doing. His mind was a battlefield right now, and his body was so distant from everything around him.
He was battling with it for hours. When he was packing up things last night, he did it almost mechanically, ignoring everything else, everyone else. He carried his stuff, ignoring the jeers and remarks, dragging himself to the administration building. He settled on the bench and spent the night there...waiting for morning.
He had no choice. He knew what the conclusion was. He knew what he had to do. He couldn't...
"Boggs."
His eyes flickered again, accessing memory, pushing away the bad ones for a second, remembering the voice. Yes, it was Hardscrabble. This...this was it.
*
Hardscrabble may have been insulted with other students when she received no affirmation that she was being listened to, but her eyes focused on this particular monster. Something was...not right with this picture.
She remembered Boggs, from when they first talked. He was a scholarship student, a rather specific one at that, and she had needed to inquire further about him. When she first saw Boggs, he was wearing glasses...was extremely nervous and hesitant. Apologetic and courteous too, considering his apology for when he accidentally disappeared, which Hardscrabble guessed was the reason for a particular monster's interest in him.
But now...
Boggs wasn't wearing his glasses. No surprise, she had spotted him without them for a while now. Good choice, his talent would not work without them. But what...was curious...was the demeanor. The lizard monster was sitting normally, but his expression, his hands, his eyes...they were all...different. Hardscrabble imagined that he should have been surprised at her sudden arrival, or at least startled, but he wasn't in the least. The monster sitting in front of her was...focused...thoughtful...lost in something she could only guess at. This...may not be the same monster she had seen at the start of the year.
Hardscrabble pressed forward, coming within mere feet of the monster and leaning down. "Mr. Boggs...I imagine you are here to see me. While you would indeed need an appointment under normal circumstances...as you are drastically early, and my receptionist is not in yet, I have time to address you now."
"Thank you," was what came a few seconds later from the lizard monster. He had raised his head a little, opened his mouth for a moment, closed it, then said the words, before lowering again against his upper knuckles. It was brief, and he never looked at her, but had the hint of appreciation.
Hardscrabble wondered to herself if Sullivan and Wazowski's surprising event had left her...defenses on such matters weakened. She was slightly taken aback about this monster's brief words. The sound of his voice had a slight shake to it. Instead of nervous and hesitant it seemed almost...depressed.
She watched, leaning back up, with wider eyes as Boggs got off the bench, almost in an unwilling fashion, and grabbed his things. He was slow at first, running a hand across the grip of his trunk in a sentimental way, and took a breath. He had his back to her, but Hardscrabble saw the signs. Something was...really wrong with him. She stared at him as he took his belongings and made his way past her, never looking her in the eye. Hardscrabble watched him pass by, unsure if she should inquire further or to remind him of who she was for respect's sake...but something told her to wait.
He waited at the corner near her office door, and Hardscrabble approached, getting the key from her jacket pocket and opening it, allowing the monster inside.
Boggs placed his things out of the way, took some pieces of paper from his bag, and went to sit down. In the chair across from her desk. Hardscrabble watched from the doorway, noting he was avoiding her gaze, before coming around. She looked to see him sitting, with his head down, his hands idly shuffling the papers slightly.
She remembered when he was sitting in that chair before, at the beginning of the year. His lower hands were running over each other so much, he might have lost the scales on his knuckles eventually. His upper ones would go between gesturing in how he was speaking, or to occasionally adjust his glasses. His eyes would be wide and his mouth would curve along with his eyelids on key with his nervous personality.
That was all gone here. His lower hands were careful, barely moving. His upper ones were close to his chest, the digits locked together. His eyes were narrower because of, she guessed, the lack of glasses, and his mouth barely moved. His expression looked...distant, as if he wasn't really here.
Settling to the desk's side, she placed a hand on it, placing the other behind her back. Well, time to see what this was all about.
"I presume your here for something important Boggs? To come so early and...with your possessions..." she began.
Boggs' neck rose a little, and he gulped, clearing his throat. "I...I came to inform you Ms. Hardscrabble that..."
Hardscrabble stared at his face at first, then he eyes went to his lower hands, and they widened. The lizard monster's lower hands were gripping the papers there pretty tightly.
"I...I'm transferring out of Monsters University."
Hardscrabble collected herself, clearing her own throat as silently as she could, straightening up more. This was...slightly unexpected. While not as intimate on every student personally, she imagined that Boggs, indeed, had what it took to be a Scarer. He had the practicality and the skill he had used in the Scare Games had....
Oh....
"I suppose it is prudent of me to ask for a reason? That you would...transfer out of the most prestigious university in the world?"
Boggs' grip on the papers stilled, and the locked fingers of his upper hands shook slightly. His mouth twitched in the front, as if there was many things he wanted to say on the matter, but his mind was holding back, wanting to pick the right thing.
"I...I f-feel...that some...aspects of my...academic study have-" Boggs began, finally separating his upper hands, one going to the second pair, his other running the tips along his throat, as if to help smooth the words out. "I...I feel that I can't..."
He let his upper hands drop, and a moment later he took a deep breath, looking up at Hardscrabble in a way that came off as pleading.
"I feel at this point I should seek a different...opportunity...that lets me focus more on my studies."
"You...can't do that here?" Hardscrabble asked, raising her head slightly, giving off the impression that the university, and by extension, her, were being insulted. She wasn't really insulted, but she was aiming to see his reaction.
She expected Boggs to quickly get nervous and hesitant, and apologize. But he didn't. He sighed again, looked down at the desk in front of him, and shook his head. "N...No. Not now."
"Is there...a reason for that?"
Boggs swiftly looked away, which was probably the wrong move on his part, as she could clearly see the angry tremble of his mouth from the side view. "It is...a personal matter Ms. Hardscrabble. The university is...is really...efficient in what it does."
That last part was shaked out, and Hardscrabble, being the educator she is, noted that he said "efficent in what it does". From the way Boggs was talking, what "it" was was probably referencing the personal matter he mentioned.
Hardscrabble ran a finger across her desk, watching it. "You should inform your professors, and your fraternity as well."
"I've spoken to my professors," Boggs began, looking at her. "I do not have to inform...that fraternity."
Hardscrabble stopped etching with her finger when she saw Boggs' eyes. Maybe her defenses on being surprised were broken after all. What she saw, inwardly, surprised her. There was fire in those green eyes, the expression filled with something she didn't expect. That hesitant, shy, overly insecure lizard monster...she didn't expect to see this. To see such a tempered expression...one filled with a menacing hatred.
She realized, she had passed the opportunity to speak back. Looking down at the floor, mouth open, she realized that that hasn't happened in a long time either. Boggs had done something no other has too...stunned her with a glance.
"This...would not have to do with your performance at the Scare Games would it?" she asked, her own face slightly distant. Why though? Why did she...asked that question? Obviously that's what it was but why did she...?
Looking firmly at Boggs, she could see him staring down, his eyes not in view. When he looked up again, the fire in his eyes were still there, but being restrained.
"I'm transferring immediately Ms. Hardscrabble," he stated, ignoring the question. He took a few papers from his lower hands and held them out with his upper ones. "I was accepted to where I'm transferring to after my final exam, but stayed with Monsters University. If certain...issues...hadn't developed...I would have...I would finished my years here."
Hardscrabble watched the increasing shake of Boggs' out stretched arm for a moment before taking the papers, glancing over them, noticing it was a copy of the actual letter, recognizing the signature and emblem immediately. She fixated on them. Yes, she was very familiar with this person.
"So...you wish to transfer for personal reasons Boggs?"
"Yes, I do."
Hardscrabble placed the papers behind her back, looking at Boggs again. The fire seemed to have died for now, but the lizard monster was still focused...almost in a conviction-ed manner. "Well...it's a pity to lose you Boggs. A fine Scarer you would have made here."
"I am...a good Scarer Ms. Hardscrabble." The words came almost on instinct, and Hardscrabble noted there was some resentment there. "Monsters University has educated many great scarers. But not all of them come from just here." That statement seemed to be made for a different reason, but it wasn't one to be argued with, less Hardscrabble would look egotistical of her university.
"Yes...well...I assume your leaving today?"
"Yes. They have accommodations for me, and I will be taking the bus from the gate when it arrives." Boggs paused for a moment, and that distant look came on again, as he was staring at the corner of the room. "I felt it was...respectful to tell you in person beforehand."
"As you should..."
Boggs nodded, looking down. A moment later, he got up, going over to his things, starting to either strap them on or pick them up.
"You still intend on becoming a Scarer, yes?" Hardscrabbled asked, after glancing at the letter gain. Randall's back was to her, and she watched him slowing with the strap of his bag. He started at his normal speed a few seconds later.
"Yes. They can provide a one-on-one study. No...no distractions."
Distractions? What could that possibly mean? There were no distractions at THIS University.
Boggs started for the door, reaching for the handle, and Hardscrabble nearly flexed in surprised that he was leaving abruptly. But then the lizard monster stopped, focusing on his extended hand. His face was softened, his eyes darting a little, as if remembering something. He let his hand lower, and he looked back at Hardscrabble.
That...was more like it. Boggs had a softer expression on his face than he had during their entire conversation. Still not like he was at the start of the year, but it was better. He was looking at her as if he wanted to apologize with his face, rather than with words.
"Ms. Hardscrabble. I already said it to my professors...especially professor Knight but...I should say I appreciate everything you and them have done for my educational experience. I feel more confident that I have what it takes. I KNOW I will be a great scarer now. I may not be...finishing...here at the university...but I don't forget my experiences. When I DO become a great scarer...I won't forget what I learned here at Monsters University."
Hardscrabble watched as Boggs looked down to the floor, then up. He...tried to smile, she could see the effort, but he only barely manged it. Almost, as if to escape that little failure, Boggs opened the door and made his way through.
*
Randall made his way down the hall, his face once again distant. Yes....he wouldn't forgot what he learned at Monsters University. What the professors, Hardscrabble....Wazowski....Sullivan....and Johnny and RORs had taught him.
Yes...he had learned many things. In fact, most of them he had learned rather recently. It may not have been the university's intention...but it was still a learning experience. That's what education was after all, right? Doesn't mean that education can't be hurtful...or permanent.
*
Hardscrabble looked at the blank space where Boggs had been a few short minutes ago. Looking to the letter, she knew he would be in capable hands. But that was in the academic sense.
Hardscrabble never pictured herself as an emotional person. They denied a person from focus, from achievement. Yes, she wasn't a vamperic on the matter, but she was an educator. If she felt sorry or sympathetic to a less-than-performing student, it would be encouraging the unfit to be in positions they have no place being.
Wazowski, for instance. He was no scarer, she knew from the start. He was a dedicate researcher, and was very knowledgeable. But his obsession blinded him. He was no scarer. He HAD to put his focus elsewhere. She wasn't about to nurture a student's obsession, especially when it was clearly not going to achieve fruition. So, she had no intention of letting him continue. That's why she had allowed him into the Scare Games. He would have failed and seen reason.
Sullivan? A scarer, yes, but too overconfident. Wazowski had one thing over him, the appreciation of scareing. Sullivan did not have that. He believed he was innately born with ALL the skills necessary to perform. Overconfidence was his downfall, in some regards. He needed to learn there was more to it than "just doing it". His Scare Games performance seemed to have shown his improvement on the matters. Perhaps the Oozma Kappas and Wazowski had influence on that.
Boggs...however...
Hardscrabble came around her desk and pulled open the blinds to her office, which she generally had closed. She had a good view of the Quad from here, and was halfly expecting Boggs to-
Ah, there he was. The lizard monster's shape was easy to pick out. She kept her glance on him, watching as he turned onto the stone pathway, presumably making his way to the main gate. It would be quite a walk for him. He started walking, his chest rolling behind him.
Hardscrabble's brow rose. A few early-bird students were around too. Two, a little in the distance, were clearly looking toward Boggs. One pointed, assuring that thought, and the two starting laughing together. Boggs seemed to shut his eyes a little longer in his blink as he passed.
Another student passed by, making a loud comment that Hardscrabble could hear. "Nice one pinky!"
This seemed to encourage two others, one coming from a tree he was leaning on. "Good work blowing it Boggs tah!"
"Wow, you did so bad you get expelled? Cooooool man."
"You looked pretty cute," said a female student, which made Randall stop for a moment. "Would you like to borrow some dresses of mine? Tehehe!" He got going fast at that comment, even as the laughing started again.
Hardscrabble sighed, shaking her head. Yes, emotions were a difficult issue. They could either steel you for disappointment, or make you seem heartless.
(Ok, spoiler sorta ahead here)
Of course, it was what happened at the Scare Games. Obvious when he had evaded the question. Mr. Boggs had gotten a low, almost shameful, score on his final scare. He had emerged from the simulator in an embarrassing colorization, one that was freely mocked by the crowd, and even by his own fraternity. They had seen the whole thing.
From what Hardscrabble recalled, after a few words with his fraternity brothers, and changing back to his normal colors, Randall had stormed out of the competition. Technically ROR would have been disqualified...but as Randall had made his scare, he had made his contribution to the game. It was, unfortunately, not in RORs favor, but the competition went on.
Now that Hardscrabble thought of it...the simulator room did shake, caused by Sullivan's amazing roaring technique. If Boggs had argued this point publicly, she would have claimed a scarer should be prepared for the unexpected. However...in this case...she had to admit...
Reflecting on the situation, Sullivan had inadvertently cheated twice. One was intentional, and one was disrupting the competition for Boggs, putting it in his favor. It is up to an assistant and the R&D departments to know about the rooms their Scarers would enter. Boggs' room, like the others, had no recorded instance, such as quakes, to argue that he should have been prepared. No...Boggs' scare was interrupted by another scarer. Actual doors would not have had this problem, as they were self-contained. Scarers did not interfere with one another during collection. Yes...Boggs' scare should have been redone, without interference.
The RORs won due to his cheating in the end, yes, but the effect on Boggs. Perhaps if her focus were not on Sullivan and Wazowski...she may have caught this early. Should she....should she had said something before he left? Told him that his performance was, indeed, not a final judgement on his skill? Was he leaving because of bitterness, as well as to avoid loss of respect?
Running a finger on the ridge of her brow, Hardscrabble sighed. She probably should have said something. Not to comfort him, but to assure that he was not inadequate as a Scarer.
Though...his fraternity had won. Why wasn't he wearing their jacket? Where had he gone when he had stormed out? Was he even aware of what happened? Was he aware Sullivan had cheated and ROR had, indeed, won? Was he aware Sullivan and Wazowski were, in fact, later expelled?
He...DID know what happened...didn't he?
--------------
I hadn't done too much with Hardscrabble in these bits, but I think I got a better understanding of her, especially when she, here, reflects on her personal feelings as an educator depending on several factions (as we see through Sullivan, Wazowski, and Randall). Randall's bits here were mainly to show that he was going through a difficult, and hazardous, change in himself through what has happened. Hardscrabble, on the other hand, is experiencing the other side of that circumstance. Given Randall's uniqueness (both in physical sense and from what he was talking about), remembering when he first came wasn't difficult. So, she was able to compare when he first came to what he is now and...she can see that a really different person came out. Does she inwardly feel responsible, as Dean of the university, for what has occurred to him, even though it isn't really her fault? Who knows. But I think it's something for consideration.
Where did Randall eventually go? Well...you'll learn that in a sequel bit later.
This is a little piece between Hardscrabble and Randall, mostly from the former's POV. When? Well heh heh...it's a bit we don't see in the film. There's...well there might be some spoiler bits, but tried to smooth things over by leaving the "aftermath", which isn't shown much, of those "spoil bits" rather than the bits themselves.
To give you an idea, this is what happens after the Scare Games. So caution, SPOILERS...MAYBE...AHEAD. I don't think there's anything too openly spoilish, but just putting that caution there just in case.
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Transfer
Hardscrabble's legs crackled against the floor as she made her way to her office. Many things were going through her head at the moment, and many of those things have not surfaced in some time.
She had been surprised, like she had admitted. Sullivan and Wazowski had done something no monster ever had. They had managed to not only scare a group of adult humans, but were able to power an inactive door from the other side, from the human world. Not only was the basic premise of this event surprising, it was very inventive. The skill to do such a scare showed that Sullivan did, indeed, have the talent of his forebearers. Wazowski, while incapable of scareing, seemed to have put his academic prowess to great effect. While she knew she was right, that he would never be a scarer, he would find promise in other fields.
The Dean turned a corner, spotting the door that led to the hallway of her office.
It may have seemed cold to expel them, but she knew it was necessary. Not only were they guilty of cheating, at least Sullivan admitted so himself, they had caused quite an incident that would be public. Whether this would put MU in shame or in legend, she would have to wait and see. Still...their surprise had lead to granting, at least, the Oozma Kappa brotherhood a return to the Scare Program. Their performance at the Scare Games had...enticed a degree of curiosity in Hardscrabble. Perhaps confidence is all they needed. Still...how they would do is left to be seen.
The Dean opened the door, and entered the hallway. A few more clicks and she'd be to her-
Hardscrabble stopped, raising a brow, looking right. There was a room with glass windows, inside the building, there where an assortment of files were stored. Peering through the corner of windows, she spotted somebody sitting, waiting, on the bench set against the far wall. She had not expected to see anybody here. Her office, and the file room, were locked of course, so this person had to be content with waiting for whomever, or whatever they wanted.
She slowly made her way around the corner, her eyes focused on the individual in question. Strange. They seemed to have their belongings. A trunk, a bag...seems they may have everything they owned.
The monster didn't raise their head when Hardscrabble came around the corner, now in direct visual range of each other. Despite the volume of students at Monsters University, there were always some that were unique, some that stood out. This monsters was no exception, Hardscrabble knew exactly who this was.
"Boggs," Hardscrabble stated, not like a question though.
*
Randall sat on the bench outside the file room, waiting for the time when he'd be let into the office off to his right, Hardscrabble's office. He sat like he normally did, but kept his hands together. His bottom set intertwined making a slight oval opening. Thoughtful, but firm. His upper set had their digits locked, the tip of the formation reaching the bottom of his mouth, as if to help keep it up.
He was staring at nothing in particular, most of the time that is. On occasion, his pupils would move slightly to the left or right, indicating he was accessing parts in his brain that he was thinking of at the moment. Things he remembered, things he knew, things he consider of doing. His mind was a battlefield right now, and his body was so distant from everything around him.
He was battling with it for hours. When he was packing up things last night, he did it almost mechanically, ignoring everything else, everyone else. He carried his stuff, ignoring the jeers and remarks, dragging himself to the administration building. He settled on the bench and spent the night there...waiting for morning.
He had no choice. He knew what the conclusion was. He knew what he had to do. He couldn't...
"Boggs."
His eyes flickered again, accessing memory, pushing away the bad ones for a second, remembering the voice. Yes, it was Hardscrabble. This...this was it.
*
Hardscrabble may have been insulted with other students when she received no affirmation that she was being listened to, but her eyes focused on this particular monster. Something was...not right with this picture.
She remembered Boggs, from when they first talked. He was a scholarship student, a rather specific one at that, and she had needed to inquire further about him. When she first saw Boggs, he was wearing glasses...was extremely nervous and hesitant. Apologetic and courteous too, considering his apology for when he accidentally disappeared, which Hardscrabble guessed was the reason for a particular monster's interest in him.
But now...
Boggs wasn't wearing his glasses. No surprise, she had spotted him without them for a while now. Good choice, his talent would not work without them. But what...was curious...was the demeanor. The lizard monster was sitting normally, but his expression, his hands, his eyes...they were all...different. Hardscrabble imagined that he should have been surprised at her sudden arrival, or at least startled, but he wasn't in the least. The monster sitting in front of her was...focused...thoughtful...lost in something she could only guess at. This...may not be the same monster she had seen at the start of the year.
Hardscrabble pressed forward, coming within mere feet of the monster and leaning down. "Mr. Boggs...I imagine you are here to see me. While you would indeed need an appointment under normal circumstances...as you are drastically early, and my receptionist is not in yet, I have time to address you now."
"Thank you," was what came a few seconds later from the lizard monster. He had raised his head a little, opened his mouth for a moment, closed it, then said the words, before lowering again against his upper knuckles. It was brief, and he never looked at her, but had the hint of appreciation.
Hardscrabble wondered to herself if Sullivan and Wazowski's surprising event had left her...defenses on such matters weakened. She was slightly taken aback about this monster's brief words. The sound of his voice had a slight shake to it. Instead of nervous and hesitant it seemed almost...depressed.
She watched, leaning back up, with wider eyes as Boggs got off the bench, almost in an unwilling fashion, and grabbed his things. He was slow at first, running a hand across the grip of his trunk in a sentimental way, and took a breath. He had his back to her, but Hardscrabble saw the signs. Something was...really wrong with him. She stared at him as he took his belongings and made his way past her, never looking her in the eye. Hardscrabble watched him pass by, unsure if she should inquire further or to remind him of who she was for respect's sake...but something told her to wait.
He waited at the corner near her office door, and Hardscrabble approached, getting the key from her jacket pocket and opening it, allowing the monster inside.
Boggs placed his things out of the way, took some pieces of paper from his bag, and went to sit down. In the chair across from her desk. Hardscrabble watched from the doorway, noting he was avoiding her gaze, before coming around. She looked to see him sitting, with his head down, his hands idly shuffling the papers slightly.
She remembered when he was sitting in that chair before, at the beginning of the year. His lower hands were running over each other so much, he might have lost the scales on his knuckles eventually. His upper ones would go between gesturing in how he was speaking, or to occasionally adjust his glasses. His eyes would be wide and his mouth would curve along with his eyelids on key with his nervous personality.
That was all gone here. His lower hands were careful, barely moving. His upper ones were close to his chest, the digits locked together. His eyes were narrower because of, she guessed, the lack of glasses, and his mouth barely moved. His expression looked...distant, as if he wasn't really here.
Settling to the desk's side, she placed a hand on it, placing the other behind her back. Well, time to see what this was all about.
"I presume your here for something important Boggs? To come so early and...with your possessions..." she began.
Boggs' neck rose a little, and he gulped, clearing his throat. "I...I came to inform you Ms. Hardscrabble that..."
Hardscrabble stared at his face at first, then he eyes went to his lower hands, and they widened. The lizard monster's lower hands were gripping the papers there pretty tightly.
"I...I'm transferring out of Monsters University."
Hardscrabble collected herself, clearing her own throat as silently as she could, straightening up more. This was...slightly unexpected. While not as intimate on every student personally, she imagined that Boggs, indeed, had what it took to be a Scarer. He had the practicality and the skill he had used in the Scare Games had....
Oh....
"I suppose it is prudent of me to ask for a reason? That you would...transfer out of the most prestigious university in the world?"
Boggs' grip on the papers stilled, and the locked fingers of his upper hands shook slightly. His mouth twitched in the front, as if there was many things he wanted to say on the matter, but his mind was holding back, wanting to pick the right thing.
"I...I f-feel...that some...aspects of my...academic study have-" Boggs began, finally separating his upper hands, one going to the second pair, his other running the tips along his throat, as if to help smooth the words out. "I...I feel that I can't..."
He let his upper hands drop, and a moment later he took a deep breath, looking up at Hardscrabble in a way that came off as pleading.
"I feel at this point I should seek a different...opportunity...that lets me focus more on my studies."
"You...can't do that here?" Hardscrabble asked, raising her head slightly, giving off the impression that the university, and by extension, her, were being insulted. She wasn't really insulted, but she was aiming to see his reaction.
She expected Boggs to quickly get nervous and hesitant, and apologize. But he didn't. He sighed again, looked down at the desk in front of him, and shook his head. "N...No. Not now."
"Is there...a reason for that?"
Boggs swiftly looked away, which was probably the wrong move on his part, as she could clearly see the angry tremble of his mouth from the side view. "It is...a personal matter Ms. Hardscrabble. The university is...is really...efficient in what it does."
That last part was shaked out, and Hardscrabble, being the educator she is, noted that he said "efficent in what it does". From the way Boggs was talking, what "it" was was probably referencing the personal matter he mentioned.
Hardscrabble ran a finger across her desk, watching it. "You should inform your professors, and your fraternity as well."
"I've spoken to my professors," Boggs began, looking at her. "I do not have to inform...that fraternity."
Hardscrabble stopped etching with her finger when she saw Boggs' eyes. Maybe her defenses on being surprised were broken after all. What she saw, inwardly, surprised her. There was fire in those green eyes, the expression filled with something she didn't expect. That hesitant, shy, overly insecure lizard monster...she didn't expect to see this. To see such a tempered expression...one filled with a menacing hatred.
She realized, she had passed the opportunity to speak back. Looking down at the floor, mouth open, she realized that that hasn't happened in a long time either. Boggs had done something no other has too...stunned her with a glance.
"This...would not have to do with your performance at the Scare Games would it?" she asked, her own face slightly distant. Why though? Why did she...asked that question? Obviously that's what it was but why did she...?
Looking firmly at Boggs, she could see him staring down, his eyes not in view. When he looked up again, the fire in his eyes were still there, but being restrained.
"I'm transferring immediately Ms. Hardscrabble," he stated, ignoring the question. He took a few papers from his lower hands and held them out with his upper ones. "I was accepted to where I'm transferring to after my final exam, but stayed with Monsters University. If certain...issues...hadn't developed...I would have...I would finished my years here."
Hardscrabble watched the increasing shake of Boggs' out stretched arm for a moment before taking the papers, glancing over them, noticing it was a copy of the actual letter, recognizing the signature and emblem immediately. She fixated on them. Yes, she was very familiar with this person.
"So...you wish to transfer for personal reasons Boggs?"
"Yes, I do."
Hardscrabble placed the papers behind her back, looking at Boggs again. The fire seemed to have died for now, but the lizard monster was still focused...almost in a conviction-ed manner. "Well...it's a pity to lose you Boggs. A fine Scarer you would have made here."
"I am...a good Scarer Ms. Hardscrabble." The words came almost on instinct, and Hardscrabble noted there was some resentment there. "Monsters University has educated many great scarers. But not all of them come from just here." That statement seemed to be made for a different reason, but it wasn't one to be argued with, less Hardscrabble would look egotistical of her university.
"Yes...well...I assume your leaving today?"
"Yes. They have accommodations for me, and I will be taking the bus from the gate when it arrives." Boggs paused for a moment, and that distant look came on again, as he was staring at the corner of the room. "I felt it was...respectful to tell you in person beforehand."
"As you should..."
Boggs nodded, looking down. A moment later, he got up, going over to his things, starting to either strap them on or pick them up.
"You still intend on becoming a Scarer, yes?" Hardscrabbled asked, after glancing at the letter gain. Randall's back was to her, and she watched him slowing with the strap of his bag. He started at his normal speed a few seconds later.
"Yes. They can provide a one-on-one study. No...no distractions."
Distractions? What could that possibly mean? There were no distractions at THIS University.
Boggs started for the door, reaching for the handle, and Hardscrabble nearly flexed in surprised that he was leaving abruptly. But then the lizard monster stopped, focusing on his extended hand. His face was softened, his eyes darting a little, as if remembering something. He let his hand lower, and he looked back at Hardscrabble.
That...was more like it. Boggs had a softer expression on his face than he had during their entire conversation. Still not like he was at the start of the year, but it was better. He was looking at her as if he wanted to apologize with his face, rather than with words.
"Ms. Hardscrabble. I already said it to my professors...especially professor Knight but...I should say I appreciate everything you and them have done for my educational experience. I feel more confident that I have what it takes. I KNOW I will be a great scarer now. I may not be...finishing...here at the university...but I don't forget my experiences. When I DO become a great scarer...I won't forget what I learned here at Monsters University."
Hardscrabble watched as Boggs looked down to the floor, then up. He...tried to smile, she could see the effort, but he only barely manged it. Almost, as if to escape that little failure, Boggs opened the door and made his way through.
*
Randall made his way down the hall, his face once again distant. Yes....he wouldn't forgot what he learned at Monsters University. What the professors, Hardscrabble....Wazowski....Sullivan....and Johnny and RORs had taught him.
Yes...he had learned many things. In fact, most of them he had learned rather recently. It may not have been the university's intention...but it was still a learning experience. That's what education was after all, right? Doesn't mean that education can't be hurtful...or permanent.
*
Hardscrabble looked at the blank space where Boggs had been a few short minutes ago. Looking to the letter, she knew he would be in capable hands. But that was in the academic sense.
Hardscrabble never pictured herself as an emotional person. They denied a person from focus, from achievement. Yes, she wasn't a vamperic on the matter, but she was an educator. If she felt sorry or sympathetic to a less-than-performing student, it would be encouraging the unfit to be in positions they have no place being.
Wazowski, for instance. He was no scarer, she knew from the start. He was a dedicate researcher, and was very knowledgeable. But his obsession blinded him. He was no scarer. He HAD to put his focus elsewhere. She wasn't about to nurture a student's obsession, especially when it was clearly not going to achieve fruition. So, she had no intention of letting him continue. That's why she had allowed him into the Scare Games. He would have failed and seen reason.
Sullivan? A scarer, yes, but too overconfident. Wazowski had one thing over him, the appreciation of scareing. Sullivan did not have that. He believed he was innately born with ALL the skills necessary to perform. Overconfidence was his downfall, in some regards. He needed to learn there was more to it than "just doing it". His Scare Games performance seemed to have shown his improvement on the matters. Perhaps the Oozma Kappas and Wazowski had influence on that.
Boggs...however...
Hardscrabble came around her desk and pulled open the blinds to her office, which she generally had closed. She had a good view of the Quad from here, and was halfly expecting Boggs to-
Ah, there he was. The lizard monster's shape was easy to pick out. She kept her glance on him, watching as he turned onto the stone pathway, presumably making his way to the main gate. It would be quite a walk for him. He started walking, his chest rolling behind him.
Hardscrabble's brow rose. A few early-bird students were around too. Two, a little in the distance, were clearly looking toward Boggs. One pointed, assuring that thought, and the two starting laughing together. Boggs seemed to shut his eyes a little longer in his blink as he passed.
Another student passed by, making a loud comment that Hardscrabble could hear. "Nice one pinky!"
This seemed to encourage two others, one coming from a tree he was leaning on. "Good work blowing it Boggs tah!"
"Wow, you did so bad you get expelled? Cooooool man."
"You looked pretty cute," said a female student, which made Randall stop for a moment. "Would you like to borrow some dresses of mine? Tehehe!" He got going fast at that comment, even as the laughing started again.
Hardscrabble sighed, shaking her head. Yes, emotions were a difficult issue. They could either steel you for disappointment, or make you seem heartless.
(Ok, spoiler sorta ahead here)
Of course, it was what happened at the Scare Games. Obvious when he had evaded the question. Mr. Boggs had gotten a low, almost shameful, score on his final scare. He had emerged from the simulator in an embarrassing colorization, one that was freely mocked by the crowd, and even by his own fraternity. They had seen the whole thing.
From what Hardscrabble recalled, after a few words with his fraternity brothers, and changing back to his normal colors, Randall had stormed out of the competition. Technically ROR would have been disqualified...but as Randall had made his scare, he had made his contribution to the game. It was, unfortunately, not in RORs favor, but the competition went on.
Now that Hardscrabble thought of it...the simulator room did shake, caused by Sullivan's amazing roaring technique. If Boggs had argued this point publicly, she would have claimed a scarer should be prepared for the unexpected. However...in this case...she had to admit...
Reflecting on the situation, Sullivan had inadvertently cheated twice. One was intentional, and one was disrupting the competition for Boggs, putting it in his favor. It is up to an assistant and the R&D departments to know about the rooms their Scarers would enter. Boggs' room, like the others, had no recorded instance, such as quakes, to argue that he should have been prepared. No...Boggs' scare was interrupted by another scarer. Actual doors would not have had this problem, as they were self-contained. Scarers did not interfere with one another during collection. Yes...Boggs' scare should have been redone, without interference.
The RORs won due to his cheating in the end, yes, but the effect on Boggs. Perhaps if her focus were not on Sullivan and Wazowski...she may have caught this early. Should she....should she had said something before he left? Told him that his performance was, indeed, not a final judgement on his skill? Was he leaving because of bitterness, as well as to avoid loss of respect?
Running a finger on the ridge of her brow, Hardscrabble sighed. She probably should have said something. Not to comfort him, but to assure that he was not inadequate as a Scarer.
Though...his fraternity had won. Why wasn't he wearing their jacket? Where had he gone when he had stormed out? Was he even aware of what happened? Was he aware Sullivan had cheated and ROR had, indeed, won? Was he aware Sullivan and Wazowski were, in fact, later expelled?
He...DID know what happened...didn't he?
--------------
I hadn't done too much with Hardscrabble in these bits, but I think I got a better understanding of her, especially when she, here, reflects on her personal feelings as an educator depending on several factions (as we see through Sullivan, Wazowski, and Randall). Randall's bits here were mainly to show that he was going through a difficult, and hazardous, change in himself through what has happened. Hardscrabble, on the other hand, is experiencing the other side of that circumstance. Given Randall's uniqueness (both in physical sense and from what he was talking about), remembering when he first came wasn't difficult. So, she was able to compare when he first came to what he is now and...she can see that a really different person came out. Does she inwardly feel responsible, as Dean of the university, for what has occurred to him, even though it isn't really her fault? Who knows. But I think it's something for consideration.
Where did Randall eventually go? Well...you'll learn that in a sequel bit later.