Peter gave a sniff. “I don't suppose it comes with a raise?”

Lucius chuckled. “Not likely. But speaking of which.” He put his briefcase

on the edge of the desk and pulled out a manila envelope, then extracted a glossy

page. “There is something I'd like you to take a look at.” He pushed a brochure

in front of Peter.

He scanned it, then looked up. “The Dixon School? That's in the Chicago suburbs, right?”

“It is. Taught there myself once. Just a few summer prep-courses, filling in

for a colleague.”

“Really? You never told me that.”

Lucius shrugged. “It was a long time ago. We used chisels and rocks instead

of pencils.”

Peter turned the brochure over. Dixon was a private high school. It was old,

prestigious, and expensive. “So, what's this about?”

Lucius leaned over and pointed to the bottom where a printed sticker had been attached. “Position's open there. They're looking for a new chemistry teacher for the upper grades.”

“So?”

“Well, in case you haven't noticed, you're a chemistry teacher.”

Peter sighed. “Lucius, this is way out of my league.” He put the brochure down. “Besides, I have a job.”

Lucius gestured at the row of windows to the left of Peter's desk. “Yes, with

a lovely view of a utility shed and a rusty green dumpster.”

Peter shrugged. “I don't know. I've kind of grown fond of knowing Roger will be dumping moldy tater tots outside my window at one-thirty every day. It

gives me a calming sense of stability.”

“I suppose it would be hard to leave that behind.”

“Exactly. It's like you always tell me. 'If you ain't where you're at, you're no

place.' ”

Lucius pointed at his chest. “I say that?”

“Yup.”

The older man rubbed his chin. “I think I stole that from an episode of M*A*S*H.” He sat down on the edge of Peter's desk, seeming to grow serious.

“Peter, you know I normally don't try to interfere in your life—”

Peter gave two short chuckles. “Since when?”

“Okay. But this opportunity at Dixon is a particularly good one. With your

master's, your experience, and especially now that you've gotten this award, you're perfect for the job.”

“I don't know…”

“They think so, too.”

“They? They who?”

Lucius avoided his gaze. “I took the liberty of contacting that old colleague.

He's now the school's principal. I told him about you, and they're interested.”

“You didn't.”

“Yes, and they want to set up an interview with you. If you're interested.”

“I'm not.”

This time, Lucius looked him right in the eyes. Peter hated it when his friend

did that. It usually meant he was going to end up doing exactly what Lucius wanted. “Just do an interview. What can it hurt? Maybe I'll drop some hints around here that you're being headhunted. Might get you that raise.”

Peter chuckled again. A raise might be nice, but…He shook his head. “I don't have time to go to Des Moines next week, much less all the way to Chicago.”

“It's four hours from here. Not on the moon. At least say you'll think about

it.”

Peter knew once Lucius got something in his head he wouldn't let it go. “I'll

think about it.” But he knew he wouldn't.

Apparently, Lucius did too, because Lucius pulled out the magazine rolled under his arm and flipped it open.

Peter shook his head when he saw the cover. Chemical Quarterly. Out of the frying pan…“Who is it this time?”

“Whatever do you mean?” Lucius shut off the lights and headed into the hallway, scanning the journal's table of contents. “Say, here's something interesting.”

“I'm sure.” Peter closed and locked his classroom door. Here it comes.