*exhales and perches on the edge of your desk* *not bothering to hide his chagrin* It's not all right, Esther. I shouldn't be putting you in this position. *rubbing the back of his neck tiredly* I don't know what's been different, here lately. It's not like we've ever had enough hours in the day to begin with.
*shakes his head immediately, off your suggestion (Toby)* No, no, that won't be necessary. Toby has enough to do and I should be able to handle my own damned workload. *firmly* School's my choice, not my excuse. I'll figure out a way to fix the problem, all right? I mean it.