The third floor study carrel in the new library afforded Jeff and Tassie a view of the enclosed courtyard below, the storm-threatened sky above, and the bare flagpole rising from the empty cement fountain.

“No one around,” remarked Tassie.

“Probably because it’s still a week before start of summer session,” Jeff said.

“I guess,” Tassie said. “But we’re here.”

Jeff chuckled. “If you say so.”

“What, you think we’re ghosts?”

“More like spirits,” Jeff said.

“I do feel somewhat spiritual right now,” Tassie said. She stretched and sighed. “But isn’t it kind of strange there’s no flag on the pole? I mean if the library is open and all.”

Jeff thought for a moment. “Maybe there’s no entry to the courtyard. So no one can get in to raise or lower the flag.”

“That might also explain why no one’s walking around down there,” Tassie said.

“Quite an oversight,” Jeff said. “Something someone needs to investigate.”

“Another thing I wonder about,” Tassie said. “Besides no flag on the pole. There’s nothing on top.”

“Really?” Jeff squinted. “No, there’s this smallish ball. Like a cap.”

“Yeah, but usually don’t they put something on top more ... indicative?”

“Like what?”

Tassie shrugged. “Like a rearing horse? Or a snarling lion? Or a fierce eagle?”

“Well, the little ball is symmetrical, so they don’t have to worry about which way it faces,” Jeff said. “Also, with the ball, it would be hard for birds to land on it.”

“Ah, avoid the drip and splatter below,” Tassie said. “Sometimes, Jeff, you’re brilliant.”

“I am,” Jeff said.

“Sometimes,” Tassie said.

“I suppose they could have used a pyramid,” Jeff said. “That’s symmetrical. Or a spire. That’s even more pointy. But an eagle might be nice. If it had the right kind of tail it would rotate with the wind like weather vane. A weather cock. It does look like a storm’s coming in.”

“Speaking of cock...” Tassie said. She stretched and sighed and clamped tight. “I think I’m ready again.”

Lest I be accused of skimping on background information, here are some possibly salient facts:

1. Jeff is a grad student doing his PhD on women’s studies.

2. Tassie is a freshman English student planning on majoring in English literature.

3. Until yesterday Tassie had not had an orgasm.

4. Can one assume from statement 3 that yesterday Tassie had an orgasm?

5. What do you think of the phrase “had not had”?

6. Would the contraction “hadn’t had” be preferable?

7. Tassie’s first orgasm included 14 significant vaginal contractions.

8. Jeff’s ejaculation inside Tassie’s vagina consisted of nine significant contractions.

9. The chart below shows the intensity peaks of Jeff and Tassie’s contractions over time.

10. Tassie and Jeff are in love.

11. The lightning bolt which struck the library flagpole at second five of Tassie’s orgasm contained more than 900 million volts.