Vial Happiness

Chapter Nine - Vial

            A week passed, nothing dramatic happened, the terror Brianne predicted had not come yet. Professor Elkgreen told us that we would be having a field trip to Vial Inc. It is the place where they manufacture Vials of emotions. I was very excited to go, for what I have decided to call an immoral reason.

            Once we all got to class, Professor Elkgreen counted us all and we boarded the bus. I wished to be alone, but of course Derrick sat next to me.

            “You excited?” He said, cheerful as always.

            “Yeah.” I tried to be positive. A look of concern crossed Derrick’s face. I could always tell when he was concerned, even with his prominent smile.

            “Are you okay?”

            “Yes, I am fine. I just feel a tad bit queasy.” Lying was starting to get easier. Derrick accepted the answer and left me alone for the rest of the ride.

            The bus pulled into the parking lot of the infamous Vial Inc. In the front was a curved building made of pure glass. It stretched across the entire parking lot. Behind the building was a manufacturing plant. There was an enormous chimney that emitted smoke 24/7. If you got too close, it smelled just as bad as the vials, but sadly it did not give us the same narcotic effects.

            As we got off the bus, Professor Elkgreen counted us and we piled up in the front of the building. He guided us through the revolving doors and we all were in awe at how beautiful the inside was.

            The sun gazing into the glass left the building naturally lit. We were greeted by a spewing fountain made of fine stone. The floors were tiles of polished steel and many adults in suits hurried around.

            Professor Elkgreen checked us in and waited for a tour guide.  I noticed Brianne secluded herself from the group, while everyone else was chatting with each other.    

            “Are you feeling better?” Derrick asked.

            “Yeah, a lot better.” I replied, lying once more. I noticed that Derrick was in fact, quite boring. He only talked to me about school and the future, he never joked around.

            I heard a gasp in the front, and quickly found out why. Standing in front of us was Caesar Macklin, the CEO and founder of Vials Inc. He is a legend. His smile had always been the greatest out of anyone I knew, and it was everyone’s dream to one day meet him. He had to of been at least sixty years old, but he looked no older than thirty. Caesar always wore a white suit with a black tie and black shoes.

            “Hello leaders of tomorrow!” He exclaimed in his deep, captivating voice. “I am Caesar Macklin, CEO and founder of Vials Inc. But you already know that.” He laughed, and his laugh was contagious. “I must leave soon, but I just want to say I hope you all enjoy your time here at Vials Inc. Take a good look around, because some of you may be working here soon! Your tour guide will be here soon to show you around, have a good day.”

            We all said goodbye to him and some students stared at him as he walked away. Soon enough, the tour guides arrived and we were escorted around the building. I saw the fancy offices they had for meetings, Computer labs for research, and the cafeteria full of gourmet food. But there was one place I was most excited to see, the manufacturing plant.

            When I looked around, I noticed that Brianne was not in the group anymore. But Professor Elkgreen would not notice, he does not care for Heartless.