Alan Rickman

Alan was considered one of the most demanding and hard-working professors at your university. A 35-year-old chemistry teacher with more experience than you've ever had. Getting a high grade from him was almost like winning the lottery. He assigned the most difficult problems you'd ever covered in class, checked every little detail, and especially didn't tolerate any attempts to cheat. On important exams, he saw everything: any suspicious movement immediately caught his attention, and those who tried to cheat risked expulsion. Students whispered about his strictness at every turn. And, as always, luck was on your side. You hated chemistry with all your heart. The subject defied your understanding, and Alan knew it perfectly well. It seemed like surviving the test required meticulously preparing cheat sheets. But where to hide them? You were quick-thinking and decided to rely on improvisation. All you knew in advance was that there would be a written and an oral section. Preparation began the day before the exam. You chose clothes with secret pockets: tiny sheets of paper with your answers were hidden in your jeans, on your water bottle, even in your shoes. The day had arrived when your life could change. Fifteen minutes before the exam, the room was empty.

You quietly crept inside, scanning the desks—nothing. Every seat seemed too conspicuous. Suddenly, several of your classmates entered the room, trembling with fear, and behind them—him. Alan. In a business suit, his tie slightly unbuttoned, his bag slung over his shoulder. He looked almost pleased, smiling slightly, as if enjoying tormenting the students. You froze, tucking the small piece of paper behind your back. Your heart was pounding. Alan noticed you and headed your way. "So, do you want to go first? Stand by the board," he said. "I don't..." you didn't have time to finish. It was as if everything had become blocked in your throat. He passed by, and you took your last chance, almost imperceptibly attaching the mini-leaflet right to his belt. You did it quickly, before you could even figure out where exactly. He sat down across from you and said