THE STUDY GROUP sat around an oblong table in one of the small discussion rooms off the lounge on the first floor of the dormitory.
“The only sensible thing is to divide up the courses,” Ford said. “Each person do an outline. Then at the end of the year we have them Xeroxed and exchange them.”
“I want property,” Bell said, the words lumbering out of him. Bell was big – he took up nearly the whole end of the table. The way he talked made words seem big too. He opened his mouth wide.
“There’s no guarantee that we will all be here in the spring,” Anderson said, ignoring Bell. “After all, some of us might be drafted, or have nervous breakdowns. I think we should research the incidence of nervous breakdowns.”
“I’m gonna take property,” Bell said.
Kevin was stubbing out a cigarette. Before the smoke died, he lit another. Each movement was perfectly balanced, practiced.
“I’ve already started to outline property,” O’Connor said, flexing his backbone, and then snapping up to give himself a few extra inches. Even so, his mustache barely reached Bell’s shoulder.
“Hart, don’t you think this is the logical thing to do?” Ford said. “To divide up the courses?” Hart nodded slowly.
“All right,” Ford said. “Let’s divide the courses up.”
“We’ve divided them,” Bell said. “I’m taking property. That course was made for me. I need it. Real estate law is where the action is.” His eyes lit up. He made property sound like a whole school.
“I think we should talk about who gets which course,” O’Connor said. “Maybe we should draw lots. Like I said, I’ve started to outline property.”
“Forget it,” Bell growled. His hand turned into a fist, and the veins of his wrist popped out of the flesh. O’Connor looked at Ford.
“Listen, Bell,” Ford said.
Anderson cut in. “Bell, try to think of this in terms of maximum utility. Apply some logic. Each course is weighted equally as far as your average is concerned. Strive for the highest average you can attain. Treat all your courses as of equal importance.”
“I’ve already decided,” Bell said. “They’re not equal.”
Anderson looked out the window. Then everyone looked away from Bell.
“Oh hell,” Bell said slowly. His fist relaxed and he inspected the table. “I don’t know. My father is in property law. I know that stuff.”
“Go ahead and take property,” O’Connor said. His little face rounded out in a smile. “If you like it, you’ll do a better job. I can outline something else.”
“Anderson,” Ford said, “which course do you want?”
Anderson adjusted his black glasses. “It’s not important to me,” he said. “I’ve already made out a studying schedule to the end of the year, dividing my time equally among all courses. I’ll outline anything.”
“Kevin?” Ford said. Kevin stubbed out his cigarette, half burned. He drew back in his chair. His voice came out high-pitched.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know which course I’ll be best at.”
“You shouldn’t necessarily outline your best course,” Anderson said, glancing at Bell. “Perhaps your overall average will improve if you outline your worst.”
“I don’t know which is my worst,” Kevin said.
Kevin’s nervousness, a fingernail on slate, sketched lines on Hart’s mind.
“All right,” Ford said, “Hart, which do you want?” ”
“Contracts,” Hart said, blinking.
“I’ll take criminal law,” Ford said. “You guys who haven’t decided-you can divide up the rest any way you want.”