'Its here!' Roy was bustling with excitement. Today he graduates with his PHD! 8 years of grueling work to get his PHD and the end was finally in sight. He was so excited he couldn't sleep the night before. And although he had distinct bags under his brown eyes, the smile on his face was impossible to diminish.
He quickly picked up his cap and gown. The night before he had ironed it out meticulously so that he would look his very best. He carried it to the car carefully so as to not wrinkle anything. After he finished placing it in his car he hoped in himself and drove to the graduation venue.
Arriving he took out the cap and gown and locked his car. He walked up to the security checkpoint and was stopped by the security guard for a routine inspection.
The guard paused as he looked at the tassel on the cap.
"Oh...you're getting your PHD?" He asked curiously.
Roy beamed "I am!"
"Congratulations! What was your area of research?"
"I researched complex mathematical equations and their relation to the natural world! I looked at how intrinsically mathematical equations exist in every action that we partake in! Did you know...." Roy started to excitedly babble on before the guard raised his hand to stop him.
"That's all well and good son but I've got to confess I have no idea what all that stuff your talking about means. Ill just accept that you're very smart. And you're all set go ahead inside." The guard waved Roy along.
Will disappointed by the guards lack of interest in what he studied specifically Roy was still exuberant.
He went inside and went along with all of the procedures before graduation. A short amount of time passed and the graduation ceremony officially started. The announcer welcomed the various Teachers, Deans, and the President of the school. Each got up to give a short speech about the wonders of schooling and how incredible the experience must have been for all the graduates.
Roy snorted to himself listening to the speeches 'College is nowhere near how amazing these people paint it. It has its good moments but its a endless trudge through mountains of homework and studying.' Roy almost shed a tear thinking back on how tirelessly he worked for his master. As for the PHD he was about to get.....he shuddered remembering all the work he had to do.
"And now! We welcome our PHD graduates first! These individuals have reached the peak of academics and have worked tirelessly for this moment. Please give these people the most grand round of applause for they truly deserve the praise."
Roy stood up straighter after hearing the announcers words. 'I must look perfect.' A tinge of melancholy shot through his brain. 'I wish my parents could have lived long enough to see me graduate today...'
"For our first graduate we have Roy Vander! He studied advanced mathematics and their applications in the natural world! Through this he made a ground breaking discovery leading to a potential new energy source. Though his work is still under tests he is truly worthy of this PHD!" A roaring round of applause came from the crowd.
Roy stood up straight and walked forward proudly towards the podium. He shook hands with each of the teachers as well as the dean. He walked towards the President with large strides. The president gave him a big smile and started to hand Roy the PHD diploma.
Roy reached out eagerly to grasp the diploma he had worked so hard for. As he was about to touch the diploma a bright flash of light shone throughout the venue blinding everywhere. After the light vanished Roy was nowhere to be seen and a PHD diploma rested silently on the ground where he once stood.