The Sidekick.

quattro

Awaking Saturday morning I discovered a silvery slip of cardstock on my bedside table. My sleep-filled eyes had trouble reading the small, glossy print. My stomach filled with job finding out that my weekend work had finally changed.

Before being employed to Hydra, I had to do volunteer work, which was strange considering volunteer meant a person who voluntary offers him or herself for service and volunteer work was required by The Government. Some didn't have weekend work, such as the people who sorted tubes and made food.

Now that I had a job that supported how Ostton ran I would have weekend work instead of volunteer work. It was the same thing but each work task was done by different groups of people. My work was to be with the people in my complex. I could only hope to have someone from Hydra with me.

Arriving at the new location on the outskirts of Ostten, opposite of the complex, I take in the scene. A pure glass building stood, behind it was dry brown land. The sun had heated it to flakes and crusts of dirt, no plant life was active. From extensive reading I had done, I knew the foggy glass house was a greenhouse, used to grow greens and other plants.

On weekend work days you were allowed to wear more informal clothing, but color still coordinated with jobs. Mine was tight black jeans and a white shirt, completely plain. This had all been laid out in my living room when I woke.

Searching the small room filled with people, I only find one who is familiar. His long curls cover his face as he concentrates hard on the book set in front of his eyes. His long legs, wrapped in the small black jeans like mine, hang off a gray stool. As I walk his way I take note of the various greens that hung from the roof and planted into the tables. Wild vines shot it every direction. A variety of people stand around chatting, not wearing the white and black I wear. No purple though, and obviously no yellow.

"Harry." I greet him, his emerald eyes glance up from the book which he shuts.

"Sandrine, what a pleasant surprise." He rubs his hands on his thighs. "How funny you are in my weekend work now."

"Yes, it is." I smile, my mouth wide. "What work are we assigned here?"

"Actually, this is quite interesting. I am so glad they placed you here." His grin is quiet warming. Harry's moods changed often, so it was comforting to see him this way.

"Yes, see we study these greens and such, do a science of the sorts, then we have medicines." His long finger pulls out a small tube filled with a green liquid that swirled as he moved.

The front door of the greenhouse slams loudly, in walking a plump, short man. He had a full  grey beard that shot out crazy zig-zags. He wore a brown trench coach and a deep green plaid vest, this meant nothing to the color system of The Government.

"All right kiddos," The plump man begins, throwing a brown satchel on the center table. Everyone else filed into their stations, but I stuck next to Harry.

"We have a new bugga' in the work shop ta'day. Sandrine, who works at Hydro Co." his chubby hand gestures to me."Oi' Harr'h isn't that where you work?" The man asks, his body jiggling as he talks.

"Yes sir, I am her supervisor." Harry replies with a slight grin.

"Hope she isn't too much trouble." He jokes with a loud chuckle. "Welcome Sandrine, I'm Magnus, but most o' the people around here call me Captain." He nods, immediately I notice that he is not directly from The Government, like most weekend work supervisors.

He passes out viles and other strange tools. Harry decided to share his book with me, because mine wouldn't arrive until later next week. 

The class snaps out of a pair of gloves and clear goggles. Harry's hands pick up tools in place one of the potted plants in front. I copy his simple actions.