It’s better than waking up high

Hung-over and blubbering something incomprehensible, Student No. 1 leans over in the tiny puddle of his drool collected in a pillow crease.

"What?" Student No. 2 asks, confused. He has just woken up as well.

No. 1 struggles to read the red numbers on his digital clock. Did he miss brunch? His eyelids feel as though they're lined with glue.

"What time is it?" No. 1 groans and rolls over again.

"Almost time for … that thing at the museum," No. 2 observes.

No. 1 just glares at his roommate, who is obviously still high.

No. 2 notices the stare and politely pretends to ignore it as he ascends from his slouching mattress. His covers cling to his legs like wet strands of hair, and he slowly and calmly untangles them.

"The photography film," No. 2 finally explains, standing in front of his roommate as though he were addressing an audience.

He continues. "You know, I've decided there's more to life than parties and girls and sports. I want to expand my horizons -- find depth and meaning in my life.

"So, there's this film, about some photographer chick, at the museum, and it sounds interesting. She took photos during the Depression. The film's about her life. She struggled with polio, had a couple husbands and dealt with some tough times. You want to come?"

No. 1 buries his crumpled face in his damp pillow. "You need help," he mumbles before passing out again.

No. 2 marvels at the irony.

The Palmer Museum of Art will present the film Dorothea Lange: A Visual Life at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Palmer Lipcon Auditorium.

--by Melissa Dugan