Transfixed

Gazing out the window, I completely ignore the grunting, lisp of my teacher as he enthusiastically preaches philosophy. 

I am completely transfixed on an old oak tree outside my classroom window.  The leaves are a dried burnt brownish green that crackles when the wind blows.  Somehow the bark has transformed into the face of an old homeless man that swivels, smiles, and lies to me. 

This is interrupted when my professor decides to view a movie.  The blinds automatically lower and the old mans bark winks before he is shut out.

On the screen plays a documentary about baboons.  They're peaceful community is watched over by scientists who observe their behavior and even try gaining trust within the civilization. 

The scientists consist of a husband/wife duo who at one time were either malled or severely beaten as an initiation into the beasts community. 

You can tell this is their whole life.

Pathetic.

I start to fall asleep, when I hear a whisper. 

Eyes open, everything remains the same.

Teacher, gay fully watches as students vie for his attention to become student of the month.

The oldest student, Clem, a sixty one year old black grandma, who I swore was homeless in the beginning of the semester, rocks back and forth laughing.  Her social commentary goes unnoticed by other students causing me to knock my head against the desk to make sure I am awake. 

It throbs, which leads me to believe I am awake, and not just hallucinating her dementia that wafts through the room.

Is anyone alive? Are they mindless robots completely engulfed by the subject of the film?  It's baboons for Christ's sake.

I stand up, straighten my shirt out, and wait for a reaction.

Nothing.

I sit, then stand.

Nothing.

I clap my hands which prompts a "shhhhh."

Clem continues her commentary while I begin to pack my bags and leave the room.

The film ends, just as I reach the door.

The lights come up.

Everyone stares at the pink elephant.

I point to the corner of the room, but they look on in confusion.

"Can't you see?" I ask.

The teacher tells me to sit.

I return to my desk and unload my pack.

Clem continues to howl but nobody gives a shit.

The teacher cracks open his copy of "Guns, Germs and Steel," followed suit by the class.

I forgot mine, so I pretend to follow along.

Above me, Clem scurries like a beetle.  Her laughing is maniacal. 

The oak tree is visible again. 

It smiles, while lifting its roots out from the ground.

Clem opens the window and leaps into the trees mouth.

Everyone in class continues talking about the fucking baboons.

I rub my eyes and bang my head on the desk once more.

The teacher stops lecturing.

The class turns to me.

Teacher comes to the window.

I wait for a reaction, but he closes it discreetly and continues with his lesson.