"Benjamin, are you all right?" asked Kenya, putting an arm across his shoulders.
"What? Yeah. Just thinking," he replied, tearing his attention away from the art brochure to her. Then he turned to face Mrs. Johnson again. "You've given me a lot to think about ma'am, and I thank you."
"That's what I'm here for Ben, to help promising young students figure out where their future lies," said the career counselor.
"I certainly will be back next Spring with the Junior class field trip here. But if you don't mind, I do have one last question for now," added Ben.
"Certainly. If I can help..." replied Mrs. Johnson.
"My mother. Do you know if any of her art still exists? Because I have absolutely no recollection of—"
"Let me look," she replied, before checking her laptop. "Hmmm.... Actually, you're in luck! Two of her works still exist, at least here on campus. One is on display in our Arts building, and the other is in our Student Center. If any more are out there in the world, I'm afraid they're not listed here."
"REALLY?" said Ben in disbelief.
"Well, I can guess where our next stop is," surmised Kenya.
MEANWHILE...
"Oh man, check this out!" exclaimed Alex Ramsey, as he opened the door to one of the Culinary Arts' classrooms. "A stainless steel 6 burner stove with dual ovens! An industrial size refrigerator with dual full size access doors and bottom freezer compartment for better cold temperature storage," he said, standing in the open doorway and looking inside the classroom like it was a shrine to cooking. "All those high class appliances on the back wall alone would run you—"
"Can I help you gentlemen?" came a voice from behind them. Both Alex and Nate Anderson turned and saw a nice looking red head who was barely their height come walking toward them. She was wearing the classic all white uniform most food preparation professionals, with an apron that had a couple of pens and food thermometers clipped to it. Her name tag said Ms. Adams and she didn't look much older than them, but with all the other scents in the immediate area, the boys weren't sure whether or not she was a fellow were.
"Hello. I'm Alex Ramsey," he said, taking the lead and shaking her hand. "My boyfriend and I are here for the Open House today, and I'm hoping to continue my education in the culinary arts after I graduate high school."
"I see," said Ms. Adams, eyeing them closely, "and what previous experience do you have Mister Ramsey?"
"Professionally? None at the moment, but I do help out my mom around the kitchen a lot and have prepared several meals on my own."
"Okay. You'll have to forgive my abruptness. The cleaning crew should have locked the door when they were done. We were robbed last week of our Quisine 16," said Ms. Adams, as she closed and locked the classroom door.
"SIXTEEN? The latest model is only the 14," pointed out Alex.
"Commercially, yes. But the company is poised to release the 15 next year, and we were one of the institutions asked to beta-test the 16, which probably won't come out for another 5 years or so. They're suspecting industrial espionage, but that's out of my league. However, you do know your appliances Mister... Ramsey, was it?"
"Yes, but before you ask, I'm no known relation to that other chef, and I have a much nicer temper," said Alex with a smile.
"I'm sure you do. Why don't we walk over to one of the more traditional classrooms and we can discuss our program further," said Ms. Adams, turning to direct the boys back the way she came. And if I wasn't such a professional, this werecougar would turn you bi so fast Alex it'd make your head spin!