In the midst of an afternoon hustle in Sacramento State’s University Union, there sat a man with an earnest smile in a table below the staircase. On the table was a sign that read, “The Doctor is in. 5 cents. Any question answered.”

At the expense of a nickel, anyone that had time to spare was welcomed to ask him anything and everything.

Cute idea, but Sac State students barely have time to stop and breathe, let alone talk to a complete stranger. So what’s the deal?

On March 26, Jason Kerby set out with an objective to converse with any student that had a moment to spare. Between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., Kerby did just that and received a grand total of three customers. When asked where he got the concept, Kerby acknowledged “Peanuts” creator Charles Schultz.

“Charlie Brown used to always have a little stand that said, ‘The doctor is in. 5 cents.’ And Lucy would always come by and talk to him.”

In addition, Kerby said the main idea for his stunt was to help people that need someone to talk to.

“I’ve been there before. A lot of things can happen to a person, and sometimes they just need someone to say, ‘It’ll be alright.'”Fortunately, Kerby has more credentials than Charlie Brown.

Currently studying electrical engineering at Sac State, Kerby has already obtained a BA in psychology from UC Davis. So don’t worry, this chum knows something.

Kerby is no stranger to school days that make you feel uninspired. After all, he was only 16 when he started college.

“I had a hard time adjusting to college life and making friends. Not many college girls want to go out with a 16-year-old,” he said.Upon graduating from Davis, Kerby got a job with MCI and they offered to pay for his education provided that it was high-tech related. Hence, the pursuit of a second degree, this time in engineering. But halfway through the program, Kerby’s luck changed and he was laid off.

Like all college students, Kerby is figuring out what he wants to do with the rest of his life. His mind is enriched with all this scholarly knowledge, yet he’s struggling with how to apply it to the real world.

Despite his good intentions, a university official eventually closed the curtains on Kerby’s Charlie Brown skit. The charge: soliciting for money.

Kerby was instructed to get permission from the Student Activities Center to continue the creative version of counseling.

Since then, Kerby followed the official’s recommendation to seek approval from the Student Activities Center. Time and time again he was turned away.

“I keep setting up appointments to meet with someone, but every time I go in there they say, ‘You’re not on the list.’ I feel like I’m getting stone-walled.”

But Kerby is not looking to shut down shop just yet-he plans on making another sign, framing it and taking it with him everywhere he goes. Not exactly a full-proof plan, but it’s a start.

So if you spot a guy on campus with a framed “The doctor is in” sign in hand, don’t hesitate to stop for a minute and pull a live version of “Dear Abby.”

“People may get the wrong impression-like I’m doing this so I can get something out of it-but I’m not. If someone wants to talk, I’m open to that. I’m someone with an open ear,” he said.

Kerby is no threat to society; he’s just a kind guy that you can laugh with and confide in. No satisfaction or money-back guarantee, just a nickel for a chat that could possibly make your day.

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