pencil full of lead

Oh, no. Nope. We are going to be skipping that song. Um, where’s the dj? Or whoever is in charge of the music?

It’s just one thing after another at this prom... I swear, this is exactly why they give us a ‘summer vacation’, it’s going to take at least that long for me to personally recover. Remind me to give chaperoning a miss next year. [ He pointed a very authoritative and grumpy finger towards the DJ as a warning ] We better hear a song change in the next few seconds or I swear.

You know, you can have a tiny bit of fun. If you deign to crack a smile, I’ll block you from the prom moms.

How tiny are we talking here? I can be somewhat swindled into anything under 3% but that's my final offer on 'fun'. [ laughs a wee bit ] They really did turn up tonight in their full force, didn't they? I don't know how I would've felt if my parents had been at our leaver's disco back in the day. Mind you, nothing would have shocked them.

I don’t know this song, but I certainly like it!

It’s...something. I can’t really make out the words per say but I’m glad you’re having a good time, Alison.

Oh! [really weird cough giggle noise we stan some awkward parents] Mm. That wasn’t a word. Thank you, is what I believe I was going for. 

And you know, this dress is so poofy that people can’t really get within three feet of us without risking collision, so, in a very practical sense, it will also help us maintain your strict personal bubble.

Wow, you were soooo a Star Trek on prom night kinda guy. [takes his hand, smooches his cheek] Thank Spock you have me to show you the ropes.

Not one that was discovered until right this very second, no. I- You're welcome.

I did notice that. That's a very considerate gesture on your part, I really appreciate that you went all out for the occasion and especially after I only narrowly escaped with my life from the "prom committee". It's perfect. And uh, word on the street- well, teacher's lounge- is that Claire Cooper has made at least one coffee flavoured cake or muffin, or something, for tonight so... [ grins ] Go wild.

Yes. Exactly. Except that end of the year exhaustion doesn’t sound quite as good. But we will make do. Oh god. We still have to make it through graduation, don’t we? I wonder if I could somehow get out of that whole…ceremonial ordeal. I love teaching, but if there was a way to not grade, I’d love teaching even more. Look, I aim to aid fellow teachers in their avoidance of the overzealous mothers of Havensdale. When I first started teaching, some of them tried to get me to do a makeover with them which was…I like my cardigans, thank you very much. Oh. You’re bringing someone to the prom, maybe? Good for you! Fan emergency it is!

But we will make do. That's about as motivational as it gets this time of year, I think. We're far too close to "summer vacation" as you'd say for anything else. We absolutely do. There are one two many speeches, you're quite right there but unfortunately I feel like I need to see Gregory Porter cross the stage myself to fully know it happened. You know what he's like. I couldn't have said it better myself. They never did... Your cardigans are perfectly suitable, Alison. I did have a couple of 'my sister is in town next month if you want her number' like proposals last parents evening though. Nightmare. I...am. Yes, I am bringing someone to prom. Oh, ah, thank you. She's- Brooklyn Bell, she owns the Bowtique in town? Her daughter's just a baby though, light years away from high school. Excellent. That's prom sorted, I'd say then. 

Okay. Okay. We’re totally fine. Everything’s going to be fine. We’ll only be fifteen minutes away and both our numbers are written on the fridge in red Sharpie.

Hey, you, um. Look significantly less ridiculous than I thought you would when I first goaded you into wearing this outfit.  

Which is to say you look kinda hot. And this– this is exactly right, it’s… beautiful, thank you, Paul. Help me with the ribbon?

Bright red Sharpie so there's no way they can be missed. In any case, we both know your mom senses will be perfectly tuned regardless of what repetitive pop song will be on. There's nothing to worry about. If there's an emergency I'll get us home in five minutes tops.

Oh, well that's--- ... Ah, um- [ coughs ] Thank you. It is? Good, that's- We don't do corsages in Scotland but the ribbon I can deal with. Mhm, definitely beautiful. You are, I mean. And you look kinda...breathtaking, Brooklyn.

full name: Paul Angus MacDonald birthday / star sign: 23rd April / Taurus fc: Isaiah Mustafa voiceclaim: David Tennant being Scottish vibes

petty scale: 0.5... Meditate before you petty...cate.

likes: Peace and quiet, teaching, spending time with Brooke, baby Nikki is his #1 gal, a good PowerPoint, getting political, Scottish swearing, Bonnie Bonnie Scotland in general, herbal teas, plaid shirts, Havensdale's weird town events, gossiping, going to bed at a sensible time, a good book, fixing things in Brooke's house ie: the sink dislikes: Raucous, tardiness, being sassed, when the PowerPoint isn't working, coffee, very unhealthy foods, being made a fool of, the English*TM*, being conned into helping with school dances (does he dislike it though?), baggy jeans  biggest crushes: It’s Brooklyn Bell... fave meme: His student Matt tried his best to get into what it all meant with Paul but he just...doesn't get it. 

#quickfacts

Paul loves a healthy lifestyle. He has breakfast like clockwork, goes to bed early, lunches with a good, locally sourced salad and keeps his caffeine intake to the minimum-ish. He will shake his head at anyone who needs coffee in an IV but has probably fixed Brooke's coffee maker once or twice while gently judging, of course.

If you know the show "Gilmore Girls", then you know he has big Luke Danes energy. Also a certified Handy-Man.

Loves teaching, loves to get his students involved in a good debate- probably involved with the debate team? There's a fun fact!- was very into the student elections when they happened and will get more Scottish when he needs the class to settle down. He gave Greg Porter an intensive crash course of tutoring when he returned from New Haven on request from Bonnie Brightman. For once, he didn't ask for the gossip.

Also loves to know all the gossip even if he's never the topic of it, thank god.

Has a picture of a baby Highland cow on his classroom's wall and uses several novelty 'Scotland' mugs. Always looks sharp when he's at work: shirt, tie, a sturdy shoe, maybe a waistcoat or jacket but with jeans.

Says he doesn't wanna be involved in Havensdale's shenanigans...is 100% involved.

Has a very mysterious past.

cinnamon roll meme placement: Looks like they could kill you, actually a cinnamon roll. intro song: O Flower Of Scotland who pays for their netflix?: He pays his own Netflix!

It’s not blues. I would say it’s just…tiredness? Which we reminds me of how late I am on grading essays. I am the worst, aren’t I? Oh, I am in constant need of many things, but coffee is top of the list. I love tea, but it just does not have the same kick. If you want to avoid the ‘soiree’, you are more than welcome to make up some excuse about how I’m very needy and had an emergency involving…a broken fan in my classroom that had to be fixed immediately. Oh. Our code word could be ‘fan’. Or should it be more fun?

End of year exhaustion? Either way, I'll be glad to see graduation come and go. Here's hoping no one throws one of those hats and winds up poking out their eye. Nah, you're definitely not the worst, Alison. We've all had to grade and we've all lost years of our lives to it at times. That's what I hear. That would be fantastic... Thank you, I'll have that one in my back pocket every time one of the 'prom moms' approaches. [ He paused a moment ] I mean, unless Brooklyn will want to go to the soiree then I- Um, I mean I don't know. Fan is relevant to our overall cover story. I could cme over very seriously and tell you there's a fan emergency.

Hey, hey. Look over my shoulder but be, like, super subtle about it. You seeing the babysitter? How does she look? Does she give you little punk vibes? You’re the only person in my life who regularly spends time with teenagers, your opinion is crucial, here.

I'm being subtle. I've never been more stealth in my entire life, I swear. Yes, yes I see the babysitter and she's not smoking, not drinking and not- from what I can see- peddling any Torie propaganda. Really though, I'm not getting any 'little punk vibes' and they are my forte, you're right. We've got a lot of them at school. Nikki's perfect. [ He paused then, nervously shuffling before gathering up the nerve- ] I, uh, got you something. I don't know if it's right but...it's here.