IT was Monday morning and an emergency sitting was held by the University Senate.
The long hours between Saturday and Monday had seemed like forever to the college dons.
Calls had been pouring in for the professors at Marcuz’s department and faculty. And news had even reached the University Senate.
Yes, Cannon’s Vice Chancellor and his deputies – plus the registrar as well their spokesperson, faced some firing squad through weekend.
Marcuz’s video had met them unprepared. The school had got enough of media attention due to psychomicide case...
So they wouldn’t think to use the media or the press for any activity on campus.
They were also aware that no one among them would call up the media to the same chemistry department which was being scrutinized.
But then again, the men couldn’t get furious despite how shocked they were.
That video was a trendy thing in the Caribbean Isles. The TV channels had gone to clip some footage in it and uploaded it on the internet.
Within 48 hours of the upload, the views had increased and multiplied. Then increased again, and multiplied.
As everyone wanted to see the young handsome dude who brought Cannon under the focus of camera lens.
Cannon became the talk of nations again. And this time, it was in good light.
Then López became a star in his own right. Everyone talked about his youth and his work.
They talked about how well-spoken the young dude was. And then again, they talked about his looks.
Now with Cannon on the spotlight again, and with the noise that followed, the school asked who was responsible for the odd move.
“Who is this López?” blurted the chairman.
“How did he get into Cannon? Is anyone backing him? Is that boy for us?”
The Vice Chancellor was the person chairing the meeting. And his thought was to make his concerns known and discuss them.
But then he couldn’t wait things out anymore. He wanted answers. And quickly, too.
So he turned to the dean of Basic Sciences, Alicia Bucci.
“Tell us what you know, Dean.”
Bucci had become Distinguished Professor since she was 40.
She was an iron lady who fought her way up the ladder and became the first Cannon don to climb rather fast.
She was at middle-age then, and talked with a bold voice in her throat.
She was twin sister to Dr. Bembe of Pure Chemistry.
Now she knew she’d got some explaining to do. So she said:
“Marcuz is one of us. He was the best graduating students last session. So we retained him this year.
“He’s also putting in for his master’s here at Cannon.
“Then we can be sure that he knows we’ve got his lifeline. So, he wouldn’t do anything reckless!”
The chairman knew to a counter. “But he’s done that already!
“He turned himself spokesperson! He called the media in and went on air already!
“So, what are you saying, Professor Bucci?”
He faced the conference.
“By the way, who put him up to this? What professor backed him up?
“I get it that the tutorial turned out well. At least, I would not have thought we’ll gain public support!
“But then, I must know if this thing is a pre-planned move.
“If the boy was just acting randomly. Or if he’s got professors mentoring him.
“So, who gave the permission exactly?”
Alicia Bucci was about to answer, thinking to say it was her. But Bembe was faster to claim the win.
Truly, the man had rushed to the department on that day, when he saw the program aired.
Yet by then, the class had ended and Marcuz had raced away from there.
The latter knew they’d come for him.
However, when the Associate Professor Bembe went over to his office, he saw Marcuz’s request for permission.
Then he boiled up again and decided he wouldn’t just spare him.
But he didn’t get to punish, as the tide turned in hours. And the thing he wanted punished quickly turned a good deed...
One he’d like to claim credit for.
Now Bembe saw the way of the wind with waves. And he decided to stand in front.
“I gave the permission. López is my protégé; I’m his mentor on this thing!
“So when he shared the idea. I made sure to fine-tune it to what we saw on TV.
“It’s why we got the public support!
“So, Mr. Chairman and honorable members, our graduate assistant isn’t one stray dog roaming about...
“He’s got an owner to listen to!”
The house was impressed at the response. For it was only then that the thing sounded like good news to them.
They felt they were just lucky being accepted before. Now they felt they masterminded it.
Bucci looked at Bembe and gave a small smirk. She saw him beaming and could tell he only lied.
He was being commended and she knew this was a lie.
But that was what she wanted, too.
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