"A Professor's Discussion on Love"
                         by:  Kevin C. Bissessar
                       Release Date:  Aug 17, 1995
                       Revised Date:  Jun 26, 1997



May 24, 2039


      Kevin rushed into the classroom bright and early this Tuesday
morning. He slammed his briefcase down on top of his desk and marched
straight to the back of the classroom.  He abruptly stopped in front of
the Kisasian portrait.
      "I wanted to speak to you quickly before the students arrive for the
nine o'clock class," Kevin said quickly.  "I am more aware of the
situation between yourself and Lisani on top of the Promontory just a few
days ago.  It was your 'dedication' that I was seeing, and not 'love', as
I had wanted to see.  I apologize for the quick response.  I thought I saw
what I was hoping for.  Apparently I was wrong."
      The Kisasian painting was as cold as ever.  It continued to look
down upon the professor, even as he spoke.  But the anger Kevin had saw
Monday afternoon seemed to have subsided.  The painting didn't look as
fierce as it did yesterday -- but the glare was still there, as if to say
"You foolish human."
      Kevin was not done speaking to the painting.  He still had a few
more minutes to speak to Kisasian before the early students begin to
arrive. 
      "You said 'Weakness' to me, Kisasian.  I'm unsure what you meant by 
that ... unless you consider 'love' a weakness.  You ended off saying 
'You put on a face to try and deceive me, but I can see it.  You see it
yourself, don't you ... me inside of you ... and it scares you.'  Too be
honest, yes, ... I DO see a part of you inside me.  And the potential to
be just as cold as you DOES scare me.  BUT, I can over come it, Kisasian. 
Courage is dealing with your fear -- putting it aside so that you can get
the job done.  And I intend to do that today ... "
      Kevin broke off in his speech when he heard the classroom door open.
The early students were starting to arrive.  Kevin whispered, "This is not
over yet, LION."  The professor gave one final look at Kisasian -- a look
of determination -- before heading to the front of the class.  But as
always, Kisasian's angry glare stared back at the professor, forever
frozen in time.  As the clock approached nine, more students filled the
classroom until everyone that was scheduled to be in first year English
Literature was present.
      "Today, we're going to pursue a different theme than what we were
talking about last week," Professor Bissessar began to say.  "We're going
to talk about" --He looked directly at his Kisasian picture-- "love."
Kevin wrote the word in boldface on the blackboard, coming out at the
students and at the Kisasian portrait.  Kisasian had no choice but to
stare at it.  There were some murmurs in the classroom, but they were 
quietly hushed when the professor pulled out his textbook.  
      "Templin's Kisasian in _The Tales of Tanabi_ recites something that
his mother told him.  '...love is when you are willing to give your life
for the sake of someone else.'"  Kevin said the quote from Templin's
novel.  "But the lion character pushes away love for something less
rewarding, ... dedication."
      Some students, figuring that this lecture somehow ties in with the
course curriculum, began typing the information down on their portable
palm tops.
      "I'm going to open up the floor for discussion," said Kevin.  "Who
has an opinion on love?  You can use your own opinion, or borrow somebody
else's from literature, or philosophy ..." --A student raised his hand--
"Yes, Ryan?"
      Ryan spoke, and the class began.  Kevin wondered how angry Kisasian
might be right now, but the professor didn't care.  This was HIS
classroom.  Not Kisasian's.  Kisasian may be one of the most stubborn
pupils in Kevin's classroom, but he would learn.  And with that thought,
the professor smiled at his Kisasian portrait.
      It's not over yet.


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Copyright (C) 1995, 1997