Caltech line-by-line #6
As a freshman, I sometimes studied late at night at Millikan library, the campus's main library. One night as I was taking the elevator in Millikan to my "favorite floor," there was a man in the elevator with me who looked somewhat familiar. He kept glancing at me as we were both riding the elevator. I clutched my physics textbook, "the Mechanical Universe," close to me and eyed him suspiciously. We were alone in the elevator. I got off at my favorite floor while he stayed in the elevator.
Then after a few hours of studying I noticed him coming onto my floor and walking around and looking at me. Then I packed my belongings and left, heading into the elevator. He headed into the elevator with me.
I was taking a self-defense course that quarter and the class really heightened my awareness. I was alone in the elevator with a man who seemed to be following me, and all I could think about was what self-defense maneuvers I would execute on him should he attack me. I decided that I'd definitely incorporate a maneuver called "eyes, eyes, groin, groin". He leaned in toward me. I clutched "the Mechanical Universe" closer with one arm and readied my hand on the other side to jab at his eyes.
He cleared his throat and began talking.
"Um... so... I couldn't help but notice you're taking Phys 1? How are you finding that class? I'm one of the TAs."
I then realized that he was in fact one of the teaching assistants for the class, though not the TA for my section. And after a few awkward seconds, I realized that he was not about to attack me, but was awkwardly trying to have a conversation, Caltech style.
It still would have been nicer if he didn't follow me around though.
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