A Lost Cause

Charlie, a young male student and I are visiting a huge college.  The student is considering applying to study here. Although he has no appointment, he wants to speak directly to the Head, so we follow the arrows to his office. The corridors become more complex, stairs leading up one moment and down the next. Now there are no more clear directions but the naive student marches on regardless.  I find myself lagging behind doubting the whole exercise.