What met his eyes was the azure sky, the verdant lawns, and towering palm trees; the distinctively styled Stanford University buildings with their ochre walls and red tiles loomed ahead, and from time to time, parents and freshmen passing by reminded him he was on a college campus. Despite that, Tommy Hawk felt as if he was on a tropical island resort.
"Remember to tell Tony that the car he gave me lost power on arrival in Glendale, Los Angeles. A kind parent of another student towed it to Stanford for me. His car repair skills still need a lot of work." Tommy Hawk stood in front of a telephone booth, speaking with his dad:
"Which state is your roommate from? I'm staying in the dorm that the school assigned to me, not a brothel, dad. That's all for now, I need to start my rigorous academic life. I'll call you when I have time, love you guys."