By choice

“Simple,” he said, “by choice.” He let his words sink in a moment because clearly she was surprised. “Most people look at me and see just a faceless cog in the machine of their lives. But I see everything. I can tell you which faculty here are sleeping with whom, who has their TA’s doing all their work, and so much more. I applied here, three times in fact, throughout my 20s and was denied each time. So instead I chose exactly the life I wanted and on what terms.”

He went on to quote her senior thesis and the paper that landed her the job.

He recited several lines from a half a dozen novels from the books on the shelves in her office.

“And Madam Chancellor, it is you above anyone else who I respect here because only now after working here over twenty years has anyone ever really listened to me like you are now. Besides, I earn enough from the royalties on a handful of textbooks this school used to support me for several lifetimes. My salary here? That’s the Mitch Franks Scholarship fund. A play on my name. Given to a student who is deserving but could never afford the overpriced fees this school charges.”