Chapter 9
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Chapter 9: Gastrointestinal Disorder
In Which A Chair Is Overturned
The dean of non-human students explains some of the 'perks' of the NHS program. Celia strongly objects. Mackenzie finds herself suddenly ill, and is assumed to be joining in Celia's minor rebellion.
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[edit] Details
[edit] Time Frame
This chapter covers a short span of the morning of Astera 12th, 222. It is Saturday before school starts, "Week 0" of the story.
[edit] Plot Synopsis
Mackenzie discovers her stomach is queasy when she stands to go in to the meeting. Perhaps the few small bites of a doughnut she has eaten are too much for her. Or perhaps it is her exposure to Amaranth's Egg of Khersis that has causes the problem.
She allows Puddy to help her inside, where they sit in armchairs in the TV area. All Harlowe Hall RAs are standing in the front, near the television. Gwendolyn Rodrigues, who had checked Mackenzie in earlier, introduces herself as the senior RA for the hall, and then introduces Anita Halverson, the Dean of Non-Human Students.
The Dean thanks everyone for coming to breakfast, and anounces menus for lunch and dinner, stating that the next day there will be other things, for which Gwendolyn has details. A male student asks about free food all weekend, to which the Dean replies that Harlowe residents can take advantage of in-house catering all term. It is then asked if this uses points from the meal plan, and Dean Halverson clarifies that no, it doesn't, and Harlowe residents may choose to reduce or even cancel their plans entirely, for the next two weeks, if they do not think they will need it. Sara and Tara Leighton ask about the meal plan being mandatory, to which the dean replies that is for most students, but that a special exemption has been made for Harlowe residents, "one of the perks our NHS program has to offer." She goes on to discuss the presence of ball rooms and summoning labs right there in the dorm, assuring everyone that they are the equal of any lab on campus.
Celia questions this, and then asks what the point of having them is. The Dean replies that they're more convenient, that students need not walk all the way across campus. Mackenzie is still having problems with her stomach, and knows she will eventually vomit, but she had wanted to hold off until the meeting is over. This seems infeasible, however, especially if Celia is going to take it over with a paranoid snit. And so she stands to go.
Somehow, she manages to knock the chair over in the process, and it looks deliberate to the others in the room. Her declaration of "I think I'm going to be sick" doesn't help matters. Celia takes it for metaphorical rather than literal, and joins in, citing "separate but equal" facilities. There is yet more discussion on this theme, Mackenzie finally stating that it was a mistake to have eaten the doughnut, hoping to defuse the situation.
Celia jumps on that comment, too, asking why they should have been good little 'monsters' and eat in the basement when everyone else is having a hot meal in the cafeteria. Gwendolyn orders them both to sit down and let the dean speak, but Mackenzie is having serious trouble controling her stomach. She only manages to croak out "I'm out of here" before she races for the bathroom. She does not, however, head for the nearest one--which she does not yet know exists--but for the one on the first floor.
It is only later, from Puddy, that she learns that Kiersta had been sent to find her, and that Celia had also stormed off. Puddy also tells her that at least eight of the twenty-four residents will vote for her for student senator. Mackenzie begs Puddy not to nominate her, but six others already have.
[edit] Notes
- Foreshadowing of Mackenzie's unusual diet: eating less than half a doughnut makes her throw up.
[edit] Quotes
- Isn’t hindsight wonderful? Isn’t it just like the most greatest thing, ever?
[edit] Permanent Link
http://www.talesofmu.com/story/book01/9
| Chapter 8: Banging Doughnuts | Book 1 Overview | Chapter 10: Playing Politics |
