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.