Neil nods, understandingly, or at least sympathetically. He turns his glass around and around between his fingers, a slow turning, a fidget. Thinking about this stuff makes him sad, but it's probably good to talk about.

"English," he says, and smiles. "I never really liked English all that much, but he--he made it really interesting. Encouraged us all to try and think for ourselves. Came and brought my friends to see me on opening night."