Halliday University - Professor Ganon's World Religions

[Hollywood Heidi]

Professor Rameses Ganon's World Religions Classroom

Classroom at Halliday University, located in Columbus, Ohio, for the study of World Religions taught by Professor Ramses Ganon.



Credit: www.artstation.com/artwork/1JvEq

[Hollywood Heidi]

John Lennon once asked us to imagine there was no religion.  Next year, it would be exactly one hundred years since that beautiful, haunting melody debuted yet still, religion, amongst the other things he asked us to imagine, were still going strong.  A few decades ago, the Oasis was where people the world 'round spent practically every waking hour.  It was probably the closest the world had come to 'live as one'.  'Sorry, Lenon.'

Journey pulled herself from one of her pop culture musings and focused on the teacher once again.  She sat in her preferred mid-section seat of a classroom. The back was usually filled up the fastest, mostly with slackers, and was just a bit too far to easily read the board. Sitting in front had always made her feel too much the focal point of teachers as they tended to eye that row mostly whilst pacing back and forth and she'd found long ago that she couldn't concentrate as much because half her concentration kept going to making sure she looked like she was concentrating even though she never had any intention to do anything but concentrate. It was concentration inception.

World Religions wasn't exactly a course that aligned with her major in computer tech and programming but Journey had chosen the class to fulfill a GenEd requirement. The other options in the cultural studies, most of which were foreign language classes, didn't seem as useful as this one might end up being. With its ability to translate, language wasn't a barrier in the Oasis. Journey's line of thinking always ran alongside her future at Gregarious Simulation Systems and when she'd looked over her options in cultural studies, this was the one that stood out as most beneficial.

Despite Lennon's hopes, religion still remained a huge thing in the world. Wars had been fought in the name of religion. Institutions and groups devoted to them have existed for centuries and still went strong.  Journey had been raised in a household where religion was never really brought up, positively or negatively. Her adoptive father was an atheist and her adoptive mother didn't really put any stock into what she did or didn't believe by way of religion. Journey followed suit with her mother on the subject.  She preferred to stay out of it and felt each person was entitled to believe what they wanted.

Despite all that, she'd decided this class may be beneficial for improving or creating new religion based content in the Oasis. It was that fact that kept her absorbing a topic she otherwise had never been interested or invested in.  Her notes, like in every class, consisted of things she'd need to know and remember for homework and tests as well as margin notes of things she'd learned that might benefit the Oasis.

The shuffling of papers and books hinted that class was a couple minutes away from ending. A glance at the clock on the wall showed that her assumption had been right. Much to the chagrin of many professors, it never failed that students began packing up several minutes before the official end time, cutting off their attention to the closing of their lessons for the day.

The thump of a book hitting the ground caught her attention and Journey looked over at the girl beside her leaning over slowly in her low cut top to pick it up.  It was glaringly obvious to her that the book drop hadn't been an accident.  Journey barely managed to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the embarrassing display, no doubt in the girl's hopes of gaining Professor Ganon's attention.

Several of the students were hot for teacher.  He was a really good looking guy, Journey had to admit, but geez, people, have a little self respect.  'You think he's gonna ask you to stay after class to confess his love and ask you to run away with him?' she snorted to herself at the ridiculous question mentally aimed at the girl.

Journey started to pack her own things into her backpack, catching a glimpse of her own outfit when she leaned down.  Jeans and a retro t-shirt.  That was her go-to.  She preferred to be comfy and show off her geek rather than her cleavage.  A ghost of a fond smile hinted at her lips over the retro t-shirt she wore.  An authentic, original Gutner t-shirt, still in good condition, that had come out shortly after Halliday's East Egg hunt had started and the term 'Gunter' had been coined.  Journey had liberated it from her father's collection of pop culture t-shirts.  Her parents' closets and storage chests filled with old clothes were a treasure trove and they'd given her free reign.  What was the point of them going to waste and besides, they knew that their daughter would treat them with the utmost care because of her own love of pop culture.


Class officially over, Journey stood and slung her backpack over her shoulder, joining the throng of students slowly shuffling to the front right of the class to reach the door.

[Anduin]

Ray loved the World Religions lessons. It gave him an intuition of what life had been during the past centuries. And sometimes it seemed as if Professor Ganon had seen some of these events.

Sadly this lesson came to its end. One of the girls sitting in front of him dropped her books. What a wretched attempt to get the teacher’s attention!
"Really? Why didn’t you just pull off your clothes," he mumbled to himself rolling his eyes.
He was glad that the other girl next to her didn’t do such stupid things.
Journey was a normal girl and she loved all the things about pop culture – just like himself.
But as matters stood it would be better not to get too close to her. It was her family who ruined his father’s life… Even if it was years ago.
But that fact didn’t prevent him from getting a crush on her. And that had been the reason why he sat down in the row right behind her.

Ray also started to pack his books into his bag but didn’t hurry.
There was no reason to be the first one running out of the classroom.
Oasis was down today.
Maybe he could write a new song or just playing the guitar. Good idea.
Suddenly he began to hum an old melody. Losing my religion from R.E.M.. He loved old music.
His style – a worn jeans and an old AC/DC-Shirt – made him look like a rockstar himself. It cost him much time and a lot of money to find and buy most of his old style clothes but it was worth it.

[Lady Lee-o]

Rameses loved teaching, because not only did get to spread his message- but he got to recruit students for his cause. Luring them in and showing them what it was like to be a god. Who didn’t like to be a god?

The world was different now, different than the old world. The Oasis was a huge part of that, anyone could be a god- they could be anything they wanted and that is what counted.

“I expect you all to complete your reading assignment for the week and write a six page research essay. Which you will explain how your life would change if you converted to one of the five major religions listed throughout the chapters. Contain your excitement,” Rameses loved assigning homework, the collective groans from the student gave him a sense of joy. Something he felt very little these days, “I expect no less than six pages, font 11.5, New Time Roman. Anything else is unexceptable and I will deduct from that grade. By midterms, some of you will no doubt ask for extra credit and I will decline. Do the work and we will not have a problem, if you think this class is an easy way to get credits- think again. I take this class very seriously,” Rameses looked at the girl who dropped her books, no expression on his face as he made his way down the row towards her.

“Miss Lincoln,” Rameses stopped right next to the girl, standing in between her and Miss Watts. “You will find that your feminine wiles will not sway me in anyway. Many have tried, all have failed. I expect you to work for your grade, I’m not interested in your cleavage or any other part of you. I suggest you do the reading and the essay or you will fail and I expect last weeks assignment as well- or don’t bother coming back.” Just then the bell rang and the students scrambled to leave.

“Miss Watts, Mister Johnson, stay for a moment. I have a few things to discuss with you,” He smiled and sat down at his desk and waited for the two to join him. Rameses was working on something, something huge and that meant he needed numbers. Perhaps Watts and Johnson would be perfect test subjects?

[Hollywood Heidi]

Ugh, essays were the worst. It didn't matter what the subject had to be, even if it was based on something she loved, essay writing still sucked. Mr. Ganon was making his way down the aisle but Journey didn't pay much mind. Until he addressed cleavage girl.


Journey cringed. 'Yikes. Harsh,' she thought, suddenly feeling sorry for her when moments before, she'd been slightly jealous of the confidence the girl exuded. If that didn't pummel a person's confidence, nothing would. Journey couldn't help a sideways glance at the girl to see how she'd handled it but the teacher pulled her attention before she could get a look.


“Miss Watts, Mister Johnson, stay for a moment. I have a few things to discuss with you,”

'Oh shit, what'd I do?' was Journey's kneejerk reaction. Even if she knew she'd done nothing wrong, when an authoritative figure addressed her, her mind started racing for any little thing she may have done that could have been misconstrued.

Cleavage girl, or Miss Lincoln, as Mr. Ganon had called her, recovered fast enough to shoot Journey a glare before she disappeared through the door along with the rest of the students, leaving her and one Mr. Johnson alone with Mr. Ganon. 'Seriously?' she thought, any feelings of pity out the door right along with the girl. Even after that brutal takedown, cleavage girl had the gal to look at her with a kind of jealousy that gave the impression she thought Journey was stealing her shot.

The quiet of the room brought to reality the fact that only the three of them were left. Journey glanced over at the other student with a questioning look as she pulled her backpack on and made her way with him to Mr. Ganon's desk. She calmed her nerves with a bit of internal humor spun from her previous thought. 'Please don't ask us to run away with you. Ménage a trois aren't really my thing.' Amusement flitted across her face but as she approached his desk, she schooled her features into serious yet friendly. "Yes, sir?" she asked politely.

[Anduin]

WTF?! Mr. Ganon assigned them to write an essay. Six pages – or more, of course.
It was a good thing that it was Thursday. OASIS was shut down today so he had enough time to write this idiotic essay.
Ray liked Mr. Ganon’s lessons – but not the homework he gave them.
Sometimes it felt like the teacher wanted to punish the students.
Or maybe test them…
But for what reason?

The young man’s attention went back to the girl which had lascivious try to flirt with the teacher.
Instead of ignoring this Mr. Ganon decided to react on her behavior.
Oh wow, what a reaction! That was spoken in no uncertain manner.
Now Ray felt pity for the girl. Even though she caused that reaction by herself.

He continued packing his backpack but held when Mr. Ganon raised his voice again.
“Miss Watts, Mister Johnson, stay for a moment. I have a few things to discuss with you,”
Ray’s facial expression suddenly was like 'I didn’t do it, honest injun!' when he looked up at his teacher.
What could he want from them?
More essays? Please, no! Maybe Mr. Ganon IS a sadist…

Before he shouldered his backpack he took a short look to the door.
He guessed Emmett was waiting for him outside.
Hopefully he didn’t think that Ray has to do an imposition or something like that.
It wouldn’t be the first time to be honest. Sometimes Ray could be a little rebell and troublemaker.

When he stood next to Journey he took a short look at her and gave her a smile.
He wanted to say 'Everything’s fine' to her in this way but maybe she wouldn‘t really notice it.
"Yes, sir?" she asked Mr. Ganon.
Her voice made his heart beat faster.
But he tried to hide it – especially in front of their teacher.
Different from his class mate he gave Mr. Ganon just a little nod.

[Lady Lee-o]

"Yes, sir?" Rameses removed his glasses and cleaned them before returning them to his face. They were of course fakes, his eyes were perfect but it was part of his deception.

"First, I wanted to congratulate you both for being my top two students. I like to do it privately, as to not make the others in the class feel less-" Even though they are, but he wouldn't say it out loud. Professor Ganon would never, "Second, I wanted to let you know you both scored a hundred on the last quiz. The only two who scored a perfect in every single class I have." He extended a card to each of them with a smile, "I always keep a few of these handy for students who excel in my classroom. Twenty dollars worth of credits for the Oasis, well done." And of course a little piggy back to his own playground, once entered into their accounts they would start seeing clues. Clues that would lead them to his realm...

[Hollywood Heidi]

"First, I wanted to congratulate you both for being my top two students. I like to do it privately, as to not make the others in the class feel less-" "Second, I wanted to let you know you both scored a hundred on the last quiz. The only two who scored a perfect in every single class I have."

Journey concentrated on maintaining a professional straight face throughout the compliment that really did mean a lot to her. She'd managed to hold it until the professor revealed that they'd both scored a hundred on the quiz. A bright smile broke out on her face. She glanced at her classmate and gave him a 'go us' nudge in her outgoing way, then concentrated on schooling her features back to professional, though the joy still radiated from her person.


"I always keep a few of these handy for students who excel in my classroom. Twenty dollars worth of credits for the Oasis, well done."

Journey gave a nod of appreciation and gratefully took the offered card. "Thank you, Professor. I'll be sure to use these credits wisely," she promised. She was happy to see the credits donated by GSS to the schools were being used to encourage good studies, as were their intent. Of course she had no idea these particular cards had been tampered with.


Getting the feeling that the professor had said his peace and the final handing over of the cards served as a dismissal, Journey pocketed her card as she started to head for the door. She walked slower at first, waiting for her fellow student to catch up beside her.

[Anduin]

"First, I wanted to congratulate you both for being my top two students. I like to do it privately, as to not make the others in the class feel less-" "Second, I wanted to let you know you both scored a hundred on the last quiz. The only two who scored a perfect in every single class I have."
That were good news.
But Journey’s smile was even better.
He couldn’t help smiling back with a broad grin.
But he stil remembered their teacher being around with them so he approached to Professor Ganon: "Always trying to do my best. "
He hoped that this wouldn’t sound too cocky but it was just his ordinary demeanor.
Then the Professor handed each of them a little card.
"I always keep a few of these handy for students who excel in my classroom. Twenty dollars worth of credits for the Oasis, well done."
"Thank you, Professor. I'll be sure to use these credits wisely,"
It took some seconds until Ray also took the card.
Again he had looked asquint at his classmate and became a little dreamy. Why the hell was she so damn cute?!
"Um, thanx, Mr. Ganon," he gave him a delayed answer. "I’ll also try my best to use this wisely. There are still many areas in the OASIS I always wanted t explore. "
Okay, everything was said now.
Journey head to the floor but it looked like she was waiting for him.
Well, this could be a great day despite the essay…
The young man got a move on to get at the girl’s side and they left the classroom together.

*** Ray and Journey left the classroom***

[Hollywood Heidi]

---

---

Thursday comes to an end.

It is now late afternoon on Friday, September 26th, 2070.

---

---

[Hollywood Heidi]

---

---

The weekend passes.

It is now the morning of Monday, September 29th, 2070.

---

---

[Hollywood Heidi]

---

---

The rest of the morning passes.

It is now late afternoon, Monday, September 29th, 2070.

---

---