[ He almost-- almost-- points out that, as he recalls it, the last time he was firm with any kid associated with Cameron Waltz, the man himself came storming into his classroom to berate him every which way.
But that's too petty, especially since, for as much of a dick as Waltz is, Jeff knows all too well how much he must be hurting right now, separated from JJ.
(Even if she's an unholy terror.)
So, instead: ]
your suggestion has been noted! Anything else, Mr. waltz?
[ Okay so, like, if anybody else had made the offer to Jeff, he'd take it at face value. A sincere offer, made in his and Athena's best interest. He'd thank them and let Athena know she's got options if she ever wants to a break from his company or anything.
But considering his handful of experiences with Cameron Waltz, it instead goes something like this: ]
are you seriously threatening to poach my apprentice?
[Four texts in rapid fire, because Cam thought for a moment he might actually have some empathy for this flannel-clad moron. At least until he opened his mouth (via fingers) and proved Cam wrong.]
Don’t be an ass. You would know if I was threatening you.
Forget I even mentioned it.
Athena knows my door is open.
If she does want to stay with me, I sincerely doubt you could stop her.
And in that time I was torn from my daughter, home, and life as I knew it, and appointed public representative of a group of moon-people who are less cooperative than the average camel.
Forgive me if I’m less than pleasant under the circumstances.
and believe it or not: I'm sympathetic to that because i went through the same thing. oh and btw i was kidnapped by a cult!! on top of that!! and somehow i didn't take my shit out on other people anyway
So I'm sorry that i'm one of two people you recognize here. but that doesn't give you the right to treat me like i'm a fucking idiot
You're the most soft-skinned man I've ever met in my entire life. If I wanted an emotional punching bag I'd pick one that didn't spring a leak after one swing.
[Says the man who is almost crying as he types. Extremely upset by a text conversation with a man he barely knows, and definitely doesn't like.]
And I'm comforted by the knowledge that you can be an even bigger asshole. Really, I am.
You want to know who you are to me, Mr. Waltz? You're just another one of hundreds of demanding, entitled parents I've met over the years. You know the kind I'm talking about? The ones who talk down to me and act like I work for them because I teach their kids. Some other assholes will take your place next school year. I probably wouldn't even remember you a few years from now, normally, except you had to go and bring the same attitude here.
If I were soft-skinned, I would've quit my job a decade ago.
[He takes a moment to reply. Stunned. Of all the people he expected to give him so much grief, he couldn’t have predicted Jeff Calhoun. His fingers are practically shaking with anger as he replies. Writing. Deleting. Writing. Deleting.]
I don’t know what you have against my daughter, but I’m starting to think it’s you who has the attitude problem. My child’s future is in your hands, and I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure she’s given every opportunity she deserves. I know my daughter. She is intelligent. She can do anything she puts her mind to. If she’s failing your class, it’s a reflection of your lazy, hackish teaching, or some prejudice on your part.
I will come down on you like a fucking hammer if you mar her record, and trust me, you won’t forget it.
You’ll remember my name, and my face, as you sling burgers at McDonalds.
Annnnd there we go, we're back to the root of the issue!
[ JJ, when Jeff's concern is Athena, and with Waltz pulling this territorial BS as an excuse to punish him EVEN MORE for marking JJ's grade down for, y'know, NOT DOING HER HOMEWORK. Not even doing the bare minimum for the classroom participation grade. Not taking him up on a single offer he's made to help her out with tutoring or extra credit or flexible deadlines. He's even tried to engage with her about her attitude, with constructive conversations, but that went nowhere, too!
IT'S REALLY HARD TO FAIL HIS CLASS. ]
I'm gonna be really honest with you: Athena's my #1 priority here. Not you, and not JJ. As far as your daughter's concerned, I'm not getting into that with you, AGAIN, until we're back home and she's back in my classroom.
It's cute that you think you can threaten me with a service job, though. Been there, done that, no shame in it!
This might come as a surprise to you: I didn't give you Athena's number, because I wouldn't hand it out to anyone short of her aunt. I wanted to give HER the choice to talk to you.
[ That's kind of Jeff's parenting method. And his mentoring method! LETTING THE KID'S OPINIONS AND DECISIONS MATTER.
Plus, it's not like he really knows Waltz from Adam, outside of their horrible JJ-related encounters. ]
And I'm so sorry I doubted the sincerity of the offer you made in between insulting my competence again and again.
I won't argue that teachers are criminally underpaid.
It's very alarming to me that my office assistant, whose primary responsibilities are bringing me coffee and shredding paper, has a higher salary than the man I'm trusting my child's education to.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text; @Waltz
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I expect you to be firm in what you will and won’t tolerate.
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But that's too petty, especially since, for as much of a dick as Waltz is, Jeff knows all too well how much he must be hurting right now, separated from JJ.
(Even if she's an unholy terror.)
So, instead: ]
your suggestion has been noted! Anything else, Mr. waltz?
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Should you require assistance, she's welcome to stay with me. At any time.
[Cam's a single father. He knows how it gets. It's hard back home with a support network, never mind in a place like this.
That, and he does miss his daughter. Very much.]
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But considering his handful of experiences with Cameron Waltz, it instead goes something like this: ]
are you seriously threatening to poach my apprentice?
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Don’t be an ass. You would know if I was threatening you.
Forget I even mentioned it.
Athena knows my door is open.
If she does want to stay with me, I sincerely doubt you could stop her.
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AND YOU LITERALLY THREATENED ME THE OTHER DAY BTW!!
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what's your problem with me anyway? you've been here for like THREE DAYS man!
[ GET OFF HIS CASE. GO TOUCH GRASS, CAM. ]
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[A fact? Another threat (or an extension of the first)? It’s a little of both.
Jeff Calhoun gets under his skin like no one else. Cam finds the average warlord less infuriating.]
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And in that time I was torn from my daughter, home, and life as I knew it, and appointed public representative of a group of moon-people who are less cooperative than the average camel.
Forgive me if I’m less than pleasant under the circumstances.
It’s been a very long three days.
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oh and btw i was kidnapped by a cult!! on top of that!! and somehow i didn't take my shit out on other people anyway
So I'm sorry that i'm one of two people you recognize here. but that doesn't give you the right to treat me like i'm a fucking idiot
OR like your emotional punching bag
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This is nothing. This is mild irritation.
You're the most soft-skinned man I've ever met in my entire life. If I wanted an emotional punching bag I'd pick one that didn't spring a leak after one swing.
[Says the man who is almost crying as he types. Extremely upset by a text conversation with a man he barely knows, and definitely doesn't like.]
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You want to know who you are to me, Mr. Waltz? You're just another one of hundreds of demanding, entitled parents I've met over the years. You know the kind I'm talking about? The ones who talk down to me and act like I work for them because I teach their kids. Some other assholes will take your place next school year. I probably wouldn't even remember you a few years from now, normally, except you had to go and bring the same attitude here.
If I were soft-skinned, I would've quit my job a decade ago.
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I don’t know what you have against my daughter, but I’m starting to think it’s you who has the attitude problem. My child’s future is in your hands, and I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure she’s given every opportunity she deserves. I know my daughter. She is intelligent. She can do anything she puts her mind to. If she’s failing your class, it’s a reflection of your lazy, hackish teaching, or some prejudice on your part.
I will come down on you like a fucking hammer if you mar her record, and trust me, you won’t forget it.
You’ll remember my name, and my face, as you sling burgers at McDonalds.
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[ JJ, when Jeff's concern is Athena, and with Waltz pulling this territorial BS as an excuse to punish him EVEN MORE for marking JJ's grade down for, y'know, NOT DOING HER HOMEWORK. Not even doing the bare minimum for the classroom participation grade. Not taking him up on a single offer he's made to help her out with tutoring or extra credit or flexible deadlines. He's even tried to engage with her about her attitude, with constructive conversations, but that went nowhere, too!
IT'S REALLY HARD TO FAIL HIS CLASS. ]
I'm gonna be really honest with you: Athena's my #1 priority here. Not you, and not JJ. As far as your daughter's concerned, I'm not getting into that with you, AGAIN, until we're back home and she's back in my classroom.
It's cute that you think you can threaten me with a service job, though. Been there, done that, no shame in it!
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I offered to assist you with her care, and YOU refused it.
You wouldn’t even give me her contact information.
As far as I’m concerned? You’re the one putting your interests before hers, and making this difficult.
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Unless you’re as incompetent at flipping burgers as you are at teaching, that is.
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[ That's kind of Jeff's parenting method. And his mentoring method! LETTING THE KID'S OPINIONS AND DECISIONS MATTER.
Plus, it's not like he really knows Waltz from Adam, outside of their horrible JJ-related encounters. ]
And I'm so sorry I doubted the sincerity of the offer you made in between insulting my competence again and again.
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It would explain how you've made it this far being a complete and utter idiot.
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Work the pole.
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I might've missed my window of opportunity for that by a good 10-15 years.
Too bad. Could've made way more money that way!
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I won't argue that teachers are criminally underpaid.
It's very alarming to me that my office assistant, whose primary responsibilities are bringing me coffee and shredding paper, has a higher salary than the man I'm trusting my child's education to.
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