Fire Door Dialogue

In addition to providing quick exits in the event of an emergency, Harvard’s system of fire doors offers plentiful opportunities to eavesdrop on your neighbors—whether you want to or not. FM talked to Deren E. Tavgac ’06 of Lowell R-24, and roommates Polly W. Klyce ’06 and Vasu G. Reddy ’06 of Lowell H-24, to discover just what sorts of embarrassing details you can learn living with an adjoining wall. We asked each room to make blatantly superficial assumptions about the other, then compared the guesses to reality. The results? Well, let’s just say this door won’t be opening any time soon.

Deren on Polly and Vasu

Dating or single: Single, both of them.

Version of a good night out: Going to the movies together.

How they might describe themselves: Loud, both of them.

Concentration: P: Biochemistry. V: Government.

Most noticeable neurosis or idiosyncrasy: Cutting their nails late at night.

Favorite mixed drink: Diet Coke, both of them.

Ideal first date: What date? They don’t date.

Ideal vacation spot: P: Italy. V: Texas, because she’s from there and she’s always talking about how she misses home.

Favorite movie: Pirates of the Caribbean, both of them.

Favorite restaurant in the square: P: The Kong. V: Spice.

In the CD player: Southern and alternative, both of them.

In 20 years she wants to be: P: soccer mom. V: trophy wife.

Favorite expressions: Both: Oh my god!

Best quote you’ve heard so far: “You know the panties I borrowed with the hearts? I need to use them again tonight.”

Polly and Vasu on Deren

Dating or single: Single.

Version of a good night out: Pre-gaming and then clubbing, or going to a 50 Cent concert.

How he might describe himself: Laid-back.

Concentration: Economics.

Most noticeable neurosis or idiosyncrasy: Singing along to the woman’s part of rap songs—generally an octave above the man’s voice.

Favorite mixed drink: Appletinis.

Ideal first date: A sweaty Bell Tower party.

Ideal vacation spot: Cancun during Spring Break.

Favorite movie: Bad Boys.

Favorite restaurant in the square: Tommy’s.

In the CD player: Rap music (50 Cent—“P.I.M.P.” is his cell phone ring and he likes the song too, also the rap remix of Mariah Carey’s “Heartbreaker”), Latin music, Europop and techno.

In 20 years he wants to be: An investment banker.

Favorite expressions: “G-G-G-G-Unit!,” “Hot chicks,” and “Fuck.”

Best quote you’ve heard so far: “Back in Texas, there were lots of bitches running around.”

Polly and Reddy on Polly and Reddy

Dating or single: P: Dating. V: Single.

Version of a good night out: P: Dinner in the dining hall, wasting time pretending to work and having a small party with friends in the room. V: A Citystep or South Asian Association event.

How they describe themselves: P: A little neurotic—I give neuroses a good name. V: Goofy and sarcastic.

Concentration: Social Studies, both.

Most noticeable neurosis or idiosyncrasy: P: I tweak out and gesture with my hands. V: Lots, but I hide them well.

Favorite mixed drink: P: Cosmos, because they’re pink. V: Diet Coke or tequila.

Ideal first date: P: A nice dinner, then a walk along the river. V: A movie and then IHOP till the early morning.

Ideal vacation spot: P: South of France. V: New Zealand.

Favorite movie: P: The Princess Bride. V: Casablanca.

Favorite restaurant in the square: P: Spice. V: Café of India.

In the CD player: P: Choral pieces for my choir, Counting Crows. V: Dave Matthews Band, Madonna, Radiohead, Beatles, some random pop, lots of Bollywood songs, some classical music.

In 20 years you want to be: P: Living in France on the beach, working for the United Nations, with a large family. V: Working somewhere high-up in the government, but not as a politician.

Favorite expressions: We always tell ‘your mom’ jokes.

Deren on Deren

Dating or single: Single.

Version of a good night out: Hitting a few bars, then bringing the party back to my room afterwards.

Adjectives to describe yourself: Laid-back and fun-loving.

Concentration: Economics.

Most noticeable neurosis or idiosyncrasy: No, I don’t think I have any.

Favorite mixed drink: Rum and coke.

Ideal first date: Something low-key where we can grab a few drinks and then see where things go.

Ideal vacation spot: Rio de Janeiro.

Favorite movie: Scarface.

Favorite restaurant in the square: Bertucci’s.

In the CD player: Rap and hip-hop (50 Cent, Jay-Z, Outkast), Latin music (Maná, Juanes).

In 20 years he wants to be: Chillin’ on the beach somewhere exotic.

Favorite expressions: Haven’t really got any.