Summer’s over, leaves are turning
Getting back to the autumn grind
The intern has been promoted
Leaving years of probation behind
In his fifth year with the institution
The rigorous vetting now complete
All requisite training has been fulfilled
The boy has finally joined the AV fleet
His first assignment comes right away
The ink on his credentials has barely set
But the key to the closet is stored in admin
And their respect has not been earned yet
So with placid timidity he proceeds
Heading straight to the office of admin
To face the bureaucracy head-on
And emerge with a rare nerdy win
The door to the closet remains hidden
But he holds the sacred key in hand
One turn of the lock and a world opens up
To a technological wonderland
Shelves inundated with equipment
Projectors, reels and screens in repose
Idle yet crackling with potential
It’s time to put to work all that he knows
The room is cool, musty and dark
Motes of dust dance playfully about
In no time he procures the requisite gear
And with a loaded cart he heads out
Down west hall, towards room 108
The boy sets off at a dizzying pace
Cart wheels fighting every inch of the way
Just a rookie technician in a grueling race
He arrives at the tolling of the first bell
With a class of anxiously awaiting eyes
Friday film day is sacrosanct
And quality control affords no compromise
With the Bell & Howell 16mm at the ready
The serpentine film path has been learned
The AV tech works with expert aplomb
Ensuring no film frames get burned
The film plays while the tech keeps watch
An only recently entrusted newbie
Where once there was doubt and pause
Now stands the Chief Technician of A/V
