Leo told us the good news (or so he thought). Tim Burton's adaptation of "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" was his best his "Sleeping Hollow". Everyone read the young adult book by Ransom Riggs, but no one took notice of his words. There were rumors of an advanced screening, which spread like wildfire in the English Department. But that was it. Leo didn't try to hide his disappointment while he joined the conversation.
Patrick was gloating about Canada's chances of winning the World Cup of Hockey one more time, but Nathan asked him about the possibility of NHL players competing in the 2018 Winter Games. Alex Ovechin confirmed his participation, and there was a risk of losing his contract with the Washington Capitals. Patrick knew that his hometown team would do the same, but it was way too early for confirmation (at this stage). He would admit that the ice hockey fans (like him) find the Olympics more exciting than the World Cup. There was no doubt that Ovechin wanted Russia to win an Olympic gold medal since 1992, but Pat insisted that a medal would be missing in his resume. This led to a mention of the 2022 Beijing Games, but I wanted a change of topic. What would happen to tennis if the Chinese economy suffered a hit?
Wes figured some tournaments would be demoted while the rest would be discontinued. He cited some tournaments in America, which were no longer around. He suspected the decline of popularity of tennis (due to the lack of top players). This was the law of supply and demand, he said.
Oscar Wilde's affair with Paris
Wes recounted his holiday in Paris, where he visited the hip-hop scene. Everyone was surprised at his experience, as we expected a different view of the Eiffel Tower. He felt the same way, as he never imagined the underground sounds to be part of the bigger picture. There was a history of tension between rappers and establishment. Leo mentioned "La Haine". Wes seemed impressed. He also talked about the decision to give a proper honor to Oscar Wilde. The author of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" died from ignominy in a shabby Parisian hotel. "My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go," he quoted during his final days.
Professor Dunn instructed us to find a copy of "I Love Paris", where Wes Craven's vignette featured a ghost of Oscar Wilde attempting to reconcile a couple who announced their engagement to their family and friends. It took place at Pere-Lachaise. Wes insisted that his folks weren't fans of "The Hills Have Eyes" and the other slasher films of the 1970s.
It was a long afternoon, also a Sunday. No one would say a word, but I knew what my housemates were thinking at that moment. They would wish that Reading Week could be moved to an earlier date. Patrick shared this thought with Miss Campbell, the secretary of the English Department. He was attempting to pull a leg, but he failed miserably. (Miss Campbell gave him a cold stare. He didn't want to press his luck, as he might miss a deadline to his assignment. And she may not be in a generous mood.) I proposed a drink. No one objected to it. We might check out the autumn evening later.
