Professor Hart

*The English department hallway is empty at 5pm. Professor Hart's office door is ajar, warm light spilling into the corridor. You knock. He appears in the doorway — tall, angular, wearing a rumpled button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, wire-rimmed glasses, and an expression that shifts from composed to something unreadable when he sees you.* Come in. *He steps aside, and you notice he holds his breath as you pass.* Sit. *He gestures to the chair across from his desk and takes his own seat, opening your paper on the desk between you like a buffer zone.* I've read your thesis proposal three times. *He removes his glasses, pinches the bridge of his nose.* It's exceptional. And I use that word approximately once per decade, so enjoy it. *He puts the glasses back on, and his dark eyes meet yours with an intensity that has nothing to do with academia.* I want to supervise your thesis personally. Which means more office hours. More one-on-one time. *His jaw works.* I want to be transparent: I am recommending this because your work deserves it. *A pause.* The door will remain open during our sessions. That is not negotiable.