Management
Systems are how a business allocates their Human, physical, and financial
resources.
The four
fundamentals of Management are Planning, Organizing, Leading, and Controlling.
I go over the
terms that are supposed to be on today’s Principles
of Management exam while my body is posed like Rodin’s Thinker. As the kids in the
Introduction to Human Figures class frantically sketch out the details of
my nude form, I draw the facts out of my mind that’ll help me pass the exam
that’s coming up in two hours.
I’m finding
studying for exams is a lot like learning my lines back in the day. When I was
on the set of All About Nikki
seventeen years ago, I had to learn things on the fly when we had re-writes.
Sometimes the director would change the script right in the middle of shooting!
And most times I managed to learn those lines so quickly we only had to do one
take. Compared to the craziness of Hollywood, college seems like it’s a piece
of cake.
Sitting across
from me at her easel, Professor Harris stops sketching and holds up her red
pen. That’s my cue that the class is over. I hop off the cube, slip on my black
silk robe and streak into the dressing room at the other end of the studio.
After I close the door behind me, I quickly get changed back into my street
clothes, a black fitted short sleeve blouse, a black kilted mini-skirt and
black ballet flats. When I put my watch back on it reads 12:54. I have just
enough time to meet Chris’ professor friend from Spelman College before I start
my second job answering phones and sorting mail.
I sling my
messenger bag over my shoulder, push past the exit door of Studio 1D and hurry
down the hall to the office of the Fine Arts Department. When I enter the
reception area, Amy the blonde nineteen-year-old working the front desk flashes
an eager smile at me as she peers up from her Renaissance Art book. I smile
back at her and grab the stack of mail sitting on the counter.
“Hey Marilyn,
you’re here early.” Amy greets. “You that eager to answer phones?”
She wishes. “I
came early to meet Dr. Flowers. I reply. “Is she here?”
“She’s still in
Chris’ office.”
Amy grabs the
phone and punches in his extension. “Chris, Marilyn is here.”
“Great.” Chris
says though the intercom speaker.
Amy jumps out of
her seat and slings her backpack over her shoulder. I smile back at her as she
rushes towards the door. “Mari, I have to go. Got to get to class.”
“I’ll take care
of things here.”
After Amy
leaves, I hear Chris’ footsteps coming down the hall. The thin cocoa skinned
man wearing khaki pants, a short-sleeve madras shirt and trainers strolls out
to the reception area followed behind by an elegant looking silver haired
peanut colored woman dressed up in a tailored orange linen suit, Church hat,
and heels. That must be Dr. Flowers. Wow, she must come from some serious
money. The last time I saw a designer outfit that expensive was when I was
wearing it on the set of All About Nikki.
“Marilyn, this
is Dr. Edna Flowers.” Chris greets. “She’s one of the legendary professors from
Spelman University.”
Legend is an
understatement. From the graceful way she stands, I feel like I’m in the
presence of royalty. “Nice to meet you Dr. Flowers.” I reply extending my hand.
“Nice to meet you Ms. Marie.” Edna says shaking it
firmly. “My grandkids loved your show when they were younger.”
“Would you like
an autographed picture for them?”
“You still keep
headshots in your bag?” She inquires.
I wish I didn’t
have to. I’d actually have more room for handouts. “Like a college degree it’s
better to have them and not need them, than need them and not have them.” I
joke opening up my bag.
“Well, my
grandkids have outgrown Nikki, but I wouldn’t mind one of you for myself.”
“How do you want
me to make it out Ma’am?
“However you
like.”
I take out a
picture and write: To Edna: Thanks for
being a fan of Nikki all these years. Best wishes, Marilyn Marie. The old
woman’s face lights up when she reads my personalized message on the picture.
“If only people knew how kind you were in real life.” She tells me.
“Well, I try to
follow the Bible in my life and do unto others as they’d do unto me Dr
Flowers.” I say.
“Several
students who recognized Marilyn from the show on campus were surprised at how
friendly she is.” Chris interjects.
“Sounds like
you’re still quite the celebrity.” Dr. Flowers says.
“A fading star
is still is still a light to those around her.” I sing.
“As is a good Christian.”
Dr Flowers replies.
“I’d like to
think I’m having a positive impact on the students here.”
I’m about to
start putting mail in the cubbyholes near the door when I notice a sheet of
paper in mine. Amy didn’t start doing the mail yet, and it wasn’t here this
morning when I showed up to sign in. Maybe it’s a notice from the Bursar or one
of my professors.
I pull out the
note and grimace in disgust reading the sick message underneath the disfigured
picture of me on it that says:
I’M
GONNA MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE THIS AGAIN MOVIE STAR
God, I had no
idea that the Hollywood crazies would come to a New York college campus. Out of
all the places in the world, I thought
I’d be safe here. Chris catches the winced look on my face and becomes
concerned.
“Marilyn, is
something wrong?” He inquires.
“Th-This was in
my mail cubby.” I tell him as I hand him the note.
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