21. “Your doors weren't locked

“Your doors weren't locked, so I figured you could use a little break. And look at you—you're drowning in all this work," Russell said, stepping into the room with a teasing grin.

Ted looked up from his cluttered desk, a faint smile breaking through his focus. "You’re interrupting my train of thought, Russell," he muttered, though his voice carried no malice. He cleared a small space on the desk for the tray. "But, I suppose, you’re forgiven for bringing coffee. What’s up?"

Russell placed the tray down and took a seat on the arm of a nearby chair, eyeing the scattered papers and notes on the desk. "What isn't up, Ted? This place looks like the aftermath of a hurricane. What are you working on so feverishly?"

Ted sipped the coffee, leaning back in his chair. "It’s PART 2. The Patrick Primary. This is the next big step—where I really take everything deeper. Structural and semantic language foundations, axonometric perspectives, paraphrasing strategies—tools that not only teach but also adapt to every level, especially foreign students."

Russell raised an eyebrow. "Axonometric perspective? In language? You’re making it sound like an architectural blueprint."

Ted chuckled. "That’s kind of the point. Language is a structure. You don’t just throw words together; you build. You start with a foundation—grammar, sentence structure. Then you layer in syntax, meaning, and nuance. It’s a process. And like a good blueprint, you need to teach people how to visualize what they’re building before they start putting it together."

Russell nodded, taking a bite of a biscuit. "Alright, I see where you’re going with this. But why Patrick? What’s with the name?"

Ted smirked. "Patrick was one of the sharpest students I ever met—methodical, curious, but always a little disorganized. He had this knack for connecting abstract ideas. I’m naming it after him because this part of the project is about connecting the abstract with the practical."

Russell leaned forward. "So, The Ted Story is for advanced learners, and The Patrick Primary is the foundation for beginners and intermediates. That’s clever—bridging gaps and building up from the basics."

Ted nodded. "Exactly. The Ted Story will handle the complexities—how to paraphrase, cite, and engage in academic discourse. But The Patrick Primary is the core. And, if done right, it’s not just about language; it’s about empowering people to think in a structured way."

Russell smiled, sipping his coffee. "You know, Ted, you’re on to something revolutionary. But I think you’re missing one thing."

Ted frowned. "What’s that?"

Russell gestured to the chaos around the room. "Organization. Maybe The Russell Cleanup should be your next project."

Ted laughed, tossing a crumpled piece of paper at him. "You’re impossible. But thanks for the coffee."

Russell leaned back, grinning. "That’s what I’m here for. Now, finish building your empire, Ted."