By Tony Meacham
Another long day at the office. Except I don’t strictly work at an office. I’m on my feet too much as a Professor of law. Australian universities are often beautiful campuses with wide open spaces, with eucalyptus trees and warm sunny days. It’s often difficult to teach in a classroom when the outside beckons to the students. Especially in the Spring. Winter not so much.
I love the work. I like imparting knowledge to those who care to learn. Many people see law as a set of rules which, if breached land you in trouble. I guess that comes from watching too much reality media. I see it as a social science. It’s fascinating how people make rules regarding how they interact with others. Its study involves politics, history and culture. Wonderfully complex in its study and understanding. Not for everyone though, but it is for me. I love studying how people interact, but Sociology wasn’t for me.
I share an office overlooking the main quadrangle with my colleague George. He’s a great human. Wise, lots of life, helps out, loves his wife and kids, all that. The universe however has balance. George teaches Contracts to the first-year law students. Poor sod. I’m more into Jurisprudence. More philosophical.
I was preparing classes for tomorrow when I heard the door security click, and George breezed in. He dropped a few books and some papers on his desk and picked up his bag.
“Just finished your lecture?“ I asked. “You look haggard.”
“The first week of semester is always a bit chaotic as you know. How’re things with you?”
“I don’t start until next week. Lucky me!”
“How did you manage that?”
“I’ve set reading tasks that I’ll quiz them on when I see them. Hopefully they will have done so, otherwise I have to waste time explaining things they should already have read!”
Goerge smiled. “I’m looking forward to hearing how that goes, especially with your new program with the students from the Institute.”
“Good night, Baldrick, see you tomorrow!”
He sauntered down the corridor, chuckling to himself. I’d worked with him for a few years now but hadn’t quite worked out what amused him. I wasn’t from around here, as my accent would attest. I hailed from Austria. Sounds similar to the name of this country but without the kangaroos.
Always using my full name. I’ll give him his full name tomorrow, see how he likes it.
His upper-class Greek parents called him ‘Georgios Antónios Rafael Baccus Oscar’. GARBO. I tell him his lectures are all trash talk. Bad joke, I know. Best I can manage for now.
Same as taking the mickey out of my name ‘Ricky’ - Barrister and Lecturer Device (BALD) — ‘Ricky’. Apparently, there is something hilarious about being called Baldrick. I haven’t bothered downloading its connotations
I put my feet up at the end of another long day. I have a home to go to, so I head there with thoughts of putting my feet up at the end of a long day. I need to get away from work, do some minor personal maintenance, catch up on some email, and do some research. I don’t have to sleep but like George I have to switch off for a bit. Half an hour usually does it to cool down. Literally cool my heels. That’s where the heat vent is.
About the Author
Tony Meacham
I'm a former public servant, retiring after 32 years with the Australian government ten years ago.
My wife and I migrated to the UK afterwards, and we since both teach at the moment at Coventry University, she in Microbiology, and me in Law.
We live in Rugby (where the game came from in Warwickshire) almost dead centre in the middle of England. We live with a 3 year old Zuchon (half-shitzu half Bichon) dog called Simba.
It really doesn't matter what he's called, he doesn't come anyway!
Strange as it may sound, Tony is married to a microbiologist who suggested he write a story, and since he'd always wanted to write SF since he was a kid, here it is — possibly influenced by the works of Isaac Asimov.
Our weekly podcast features the stories from recently published issues, often narrated by the authors themselves.
Merri Andrew writes poetry and short fiction, some of which has appeared in Cordite, Be:longing, Baby Teeth and Islet, among other places.
Ed lives with his wife plus a magical assortment of native animals in tropical North Queensland.
My time at Nambucca Valley Community Radio began back in 2016 after moving into the area from Sydney.
Sarah Jane Justice is an Adelaide-based fiction writer, poet, musician and spoken word artist.
Tim Borella is an Australian author, mainly of short speculative fiction published in anthologies, online and in podcasts.
Barry Yedvobnick is a recently retired Biology Professor. He performed molecular biology and genetic research, and taught, at Emory University in Atlanta for 34 years. He is new to fiction writing, and enjoys taking real science a step or two beyond its known boundaries in his
Tara Campbell is an award-winning writer, teacher, Kimbilio Fellow, fiction co-editor at Barrelhouse, and graduate of American University's MFA in Creative Writing.
Emma Louise Gill (she/her) is a British-Australian spec fic writer and consumer of vast amounts of coffee. Brought up on a diet of English lit, she rebelled and now spends her time writing explosive space opera and other fantastical things in
Geraldine Borella writes fiction for children, young adults and adults. Her work has been published by Deadset Press, IFWG Publishing, Wombat Books/Rhiza Edge, AHWA/Midnight Echo, Antipodean SF, Shacklebound Books, Black Ink Fiction, Paramour Ink Fiction, House of Loki and Raven & Drake
Alistair Lloyd is a Melbourne based writer and narrator who has been consuming good quality science fiction and fantasy most of his life.
Mark is an astrophysicist and space scientist who worked on the Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn. Following this he worked in computer consultancy, engineering, and high energy research (with a stint at the JET Fusion Torus).