Summary

In "Proctoring," Lionel proctored an exam. One of the students complained about having to record his student ID number on Lionel's attendance sheet.

While the students worked, Lionel played a numbers game. He thought about his own time in academia. Sometimes he even missed "the messy, ridiculous departmental politics" (114). He also thought about the conversations at the potluck. Somehow everything seemed interconnected.

Sophie texted, asking Lionel to meet her for lunch. Lionel felt uncomfortable, given the night he had spent with Charles. Finally they agreed to coffee at the campus café.

Lionel met Sophie at the café. Lionel told her about the exam. Then he told her about his past academic experience, and his time in math camp as a young person. The more Sophie pressed, the more vulnerable their conversation became. He mentioned his suicide attempt. Sophie mentioned her parents'...