The New Kid

They showed up for their interview around 7. Lanky kid. longish hair (really not that long compared to my foot long braid) that was jet black, had a small chin beard, and looked almost old enough to drink, but not quite.

"Hello, Mr. Ferris," he said, offering me his hand.

"Dr. Ferris," I corrected, ignoring his hand and taking a seat behind my desk. "Tell me, um, Tyler is?"

"Yes," he said, nodding.

"Tell me, Tyler, how old are you?" I asked.

"I'm currently 20," he said.

Called it.

"And why are you interested in this position?" I asked.

"I'm need the experience," he said. "I'm interested in a career in medicine, and your add said that was part of what you do here."

"I see," I said. "One last question. Do you have any experience with PREs?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"I... don't know what that is," he said, awkwardly.

"Terrific," I said. "You've got the position. You start tomorrow. 5 p.m. sharp."

Tyler's eyes lit up, for in surprise, then in excitement. That Guy Paris rolled his own eyes.

"Thank you Mis- I mean, Doctor," he said. "I won't let you down."

"One last thing before you leave," I said. "That Guy Paris."

"Yes sir?" he asked.

"You are now just Paris," I said. "And Tyler, from now on you will be That Guy Tyler."

They both seemed a little confused by this, but ended up shrugging it off. I saw That Guy Tyler out and returned to my desk.

"Are you at any point planning to tell him exactly what it is we do here?" Paris asked.

"Eventually," I said. "If it comes up."

"That kid could get hurt if you leave him in the dark too long," PAris replied.

"He'll be fine," I said.

Paris sighed.

"So how's the cure coming along?" He asked.

"Had a breakthrough this morning," I said. "I managed to isolate not one, but four different poisonous chemicals from the ointment, and I've been analysis on them. Shouldn't take much longer to concoct some vaccines vaccine, and from there, I can begin work on curing them for good."

"Nice progress," Paris said.

"I need test subjects, though," I pointed out. "Set up some traps and bait and see if we can get anything. I'll need you to check on them when you come in tomorrow as well."

"Sure thing," Paris replied, going to get started on that.

There's a rather high rodent population in the surrounding area, so we occasionally have rats or other such animals trying to get in. However, one man's pest problem is another man's supply of shit to test medicine on.

Anyway, I'll be turning in now. Busy day tomorrow.

Introductions are in order

My name is Daniel Xavier Ferris.

You may address me as Dr. Ferris.

My work is somewhat... complex. I'll get into the details of it at a different time. All you need to know now is that I'm a scientist.



Earlier today I was approached by my close friend/intern, That Guy Paris. ("That Guy" is a prefix I added as a bit of a joke. He doesn't mind.)

"I've acquired the sample," he informed me.

"Let's see it," I said.

He handed me a jar of ointment.

"Careful," he warned me. "I've seen its effects. They're not pretty."

"I know," I said.

I grabbed my cane (I have a bad leg) and brought the sample over to my microscope. I put on some gloves and scraped some of the ointment onto a slide tray and placed it under the microscope. I adjusted the settings a bit and examined it.

"Think you can develop a cure?" That Guy Paris asked.

"Eventually," I said. "I can at least use this to develop a vaccine."

Without going into to much detail, this ointment contains some dangerous poison utilized by some very bad people. I've been trying to acquire this sample for a while now, in order to counter it.

"I have more news," That Guy Paris continued.

"Yes?" I asked.

"There's been a response to your add," he said. "We have a new applicant."

"Excellent," I replied. "When can I meet them?"

"I've scheduled an interview tomorrow evening," he said. "Will you be available?"

"Of course," I said. "I can make the time."

That Guy Paris has been a big help to me, but I've been seeking an additional intern, to lighten the workload.

"You've been doing well," I said. "Keep it up, and I might actually start paying you."

I caught That Guy Paris smirking out of the corner of my eye.

"Sure you will," he said.

"Why don't you take the rest of the night off," I suggested, adjusting my microscope again. "I need to study this sample a bit longer."

"Sure thing," he replied. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I continued examining and running a few tests on the ointment. I've figured out how to null the effects a bit, but I'm a long way off from developing a working cure. I suppose I ought to call it a day and continue tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, I look forward to the interview. I could use some more hands on deck.