As they walked, Ian pointed out different laboratories and mentioned briefly what each was currently working on. This, he reassured her, she wouldn’t need to remember.
Only when Mr. Moore was speaking did she have to worry. Some of the scientists were creating new technology, while others tested animals on their ability to think or react.
“Don’t worry,” he again reassured her, “we never do anything to harm the animal. All Mr. Moore is interested in are things like puzzle-solving, reflexes, things like that.”
“Good,” Cassie said, “I wouldn’t continue working here otherwise.”
Finally, they reached the largest lab in the place. Table sat in an array, with shelf after shelf piled on top of one another. Along these shelves were hundreds of small pits, each with a single sprout peering out from the top.
It took everything she had to not sit and stare in wonder at all of the plants, but instead followed Ian to where a man stood, his back to them as he mixed some liquids together.
“Mr. Moore?” Ian asked.
The man turned his head to see Ian, then looked further to see Cassie.
“Research assistant?”
“Yes,” Cassie said, stepping forward with her hand extended, “and let me just say what an honor—“
“You’re still carrying a purse. Why is she not in a lab coat? Why are you not in a lab coat?”
Ian clenched his hands in front of him as he realized his mistake.
“Get out!” Mr. Moore screamed.
“You’ll destroy the sterile environment I’ve created with your Gucci piece of rubbish. Out!”
Cassie’s heart skipped a beat and she turned and left the laboratory. She couldn’t believe it was over that quickly. Somehow she felt robbed. This wasn’t even her fault.
Pacing a few steps in front of the door, she wondered if she should just leave or wait for Ian. Currently he was being yelled at by Mr. Moore, but the thick door prevented much sound from making it through so she couldn’t understand exactly what was being said.
When Ian joined her a moment later he looked decidedly berated.
“So that’s it? I’m done?” she asked.
“No, that one was mine.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did he just fire you?”
“No. Fortunately, I’m not his research assistant. I will not, however, be helping him with that project any longer. Let’s get you a lab coat so you can rejoin him and he can explain the intricacies of the job to you.”
As they walked down the hallway to the supply closet, she said, “You know, a lab coat doesn’t make me sterile. There has to be a joining room, and a sterilizer. Every piece of skin and hair has to be contained.”
“Yes, yes, I’m aware. So is Mr. Moore.” Ian handed her the lab coat.
“Best to keep that talk to yourself though. Mr. Moore knows what he’s doing. You’re here to assist him, not correct him.”
After showing her to the lockers where she could place her personal items, he guided her back to the lab where Mr. Moore worked.
“This is where I leave you. Good luck. Hope to see you tomorrow.”
Chapter 2
After a weak smile, Cassie took a breath to prepare herself and then reentered the laboratory.
Mr. Moore turned to see who had come in and then pointed to a spot beside him.
“You know you’re alphabet?” he asked when she stood beside him.
Somehow she had expected a much older man, but he was surprisingly young. The intensity in his eyes as he focused on his work was remarkable. “Yes, I believe so.”
“Base cases A through G receives the C197 solution. A1 through G1 receives the C198.”
Already? No introduction, no orientation on what they were working on. She turned to the table and looked for the solutions he mentioned, but didn’t see anything. “Where are the solutions?”
Without looking at her he pointed to a small refrigerator on the other side of the room. After a bit of searching she found the two and a dropper.
“How much per specimen?”
Again, without looking up or speaking, he held up two fingers.
As she went about the task given to her, he checked the plants behind her.
“Assistant,” he said to get her attention.
“My name is Cassie.”
“Your name is Assistant until you prove your competence.”
“What am I doing right now?”
“You think counting to two over and over and knowing your alphabet proves you’re a competent research assistant?” He chortled and shook his head. “This won’t take long, I see.”
Cassie stopped what she was doing and turned to face him. “That’s uncalled for.”
“We shall see. Do you understand the ascending pattern of solution to specimen?”
“I do.”
The smallest of smiles pulled at his mouth. He doubted her! “We shall see.”
Turning away, he went back to his work. She couldn’t believe him! She graduated top of her class. Who couldn’t handle a simple solution application? Still, the pattern was obvious, and she did as she was asked.
After the first dozen plants she had the motions down and even managed to work a dropper in each hand, managing multiple plant stages at once. When she returned to his side he sighed and rested his hands on the table.
“Yes, what is it?”