The Full Nelson

On Monday I arrive bright and early to my Asset Liability Management lecture, only to find that I am the only one there. Mr. J-Drama must have cancelled the class. How did I not know? But ahh well, I’m here alone in this quiet room, might as well prepare for the midterm that afternoon.

Anyhow, I’m assiduously poring over my notes when this guy Nelson walks in. He is notorious in the math faculty for introducing himself at random to strangers. Though not everyone gives him the time of day. But I’ve gotten to know him over this term and he’s not too bad of a guy. And his quirk is not really a bad thing – what’s wrong with a guy that puts himself out there, and why do so many people here walk around with a fork shoved up their ass?

Nonetheless, it turns out he’d forgotten the lecture was cancelled, but he was missing some notes himself, so I lent him mine. I am enjoying the solace and serenity and some muted chit-chat with Nelson when, several dozen minutes later, a few students started milling in the lecture room, and so it appears that a class was about to be underway. So I head out with Nelson and he’s debating out loud whether to have eggs at home or to continue studying. I suggest the latter, because having a study buddy might actually keep me focused. He says he wants to “study somewhere with no Asians.” He is explicit about this. Not sure why, because he’s Asian himself. But I told him Dana Porter Library would be a good spot.

So we go up to the 8th floor, and I suggest we go sit at one of the large tables on the corners, because cubicles are claustrophobic. Of course, they’re all occupied, but we find one with two vacants seats, and a third seat occupied by a giant bag and some books on the table. We got sit there. Guaging by the designer bag and neat penmanship with sharp calligraphy-like strokes, I ascertain this person is probably Asian (the calculator gave it away too). Sorry, Nelson.

So a few minutes later said person returns. She sits directly across from us. She is rather cherubic and very young-looking. So of course, Nelson, being the guy on campus that is notorious for introducing himself, strikes up a conversation with the girl.

So this goes on for a good 10 minutes. Nelson manages to pry quite a few things out of her. She has a very stereotypical “Chinese” name (you know, a super-WASPy first name followed by a three letter last name). Came to Canada at 14, went to a private school in Belleville, from HK originally. Nelson compliments her Engrish, which was actually pretty good with very little trace of an accent. Turns out she is in our program too, 2nd year; well not quite yet officially. She’s responsive but not too talkative - she's pleasant yet there’s something resigned and defeated about her, and we learn that she’s a struggling student.

I occasionally join the banter, but for the most part I’m consumed in my paper reading about Eric Gagne blowing saves in the ALCS. Silently, I am feeling sorry for the girl. I want Nelson to shut the F up. She was just responding out of politeness. The poor girl came here to get some work done and prepare for her ACTSC 231 midterm, and here is this doofus sitting next to me that won’t leave her alone.

Then Nelson says “It’s nice chatting with you. I’d like to get to know you better.” He slides a sheet of paper over her way. “Just put down your contact info.”

I am at once appalled and in admiration of his gusto. He has a 10 minute chat, and he just puts himself out there like that? Who did this skinny bespectacled Chinese guy think he was?

I’m expecting the girl to laugh and throw the paper back at his face. I’m prepping my consolation speech for Nelson. I’m getting the tissues out.

But, AMAZINGLY, the girl obliges. She jots down her email (and possibly number, not sure) and slides the sheet back over. Well we all proceed with the studying and simultaneous a 3-way chit-chat for another 15 minutes, and then Nelson picks up his books and heads home for lunch. A half hour or so later I bounce out of there too, still reeling.