I'm waiting patiently for the director outside his office. He was watching the whole interview from the surveillance cameras, and has asked me to see him for feedback.
He's currently busy, so I sit awkwardly in the uncomfortable moss green chair and fidget anxiously. I'm worried about how the director will think my first interview with one of the patients went, but I'm hoping I didn't do too bad. Well, at least not bad enough to be fired on my first day.
I can hear the director's voice from inside his office, but I can't make out what he's saying. However, from the tone of his voice I'm guessing it's serious.
As I continue waiting, my mind starts to wander to the 2 men I encountered today.
During our interview I noticed that Chen seemed to change his persona depending on how I replied to what he said. When he realises one won't work, he immediately changed to another.
As for Kai, well he just seems like any other desperate guy. I'll remember to keep an eye out for him though. None of these men can be trusted.
"Dr Chapman, please come on." A voice interrupts my thoughts. I look up to see the director motioning my inside his office. His eyes look tired and his smile seems forced.
Walking inside, I can see that his desk is a mess. Documents and files cover the desk in untidy piles, and a phone dangles from its string on the edge of the table.
"Forgive me for the state of the place, today has been.. busy."
"It's fine." I smile
"Excellent. So, about your interview with Patient #21," he begins, "you weren't in there for very long, however we were expecting that. No one is planning on keeping you in there with any of them for long periods of time until you've at least gotten used to what they're like, which could take a while." He relaxes into his chair, " I was quite pleased to see that you know how to hold your ground, though. As you may have picked up, we haven't had a female doctor in with them before, and we were all quite skeptical about how things would go. But, you proved yourself as competent and strong enough for the job. Congratulations." He says with a smile.
I go to thank him, before he continues, "However, we're now going to need you to go an extra mile."
"What do you mean, sir?" I ask puzzled.
"What I mean, is that the staff member we had employed to take care of the 12 patients your working with quit today. Says he was done working with 'lunatics', and we don't currently have anyone to replace him. So, that leaves you. You'll already be working with them everyday, care for a promotion?"
I sit back in my chair and think about it, "What exactly would I be doing? If you don't mind me asking."
"Ah, well, as their caretaker you would be in charge of their general welfare. Which includes feeding, bathing, and monitoring them on a daily basis. You won't be alone with them, I assure you, we'll have guards with you at all times."
I look down and fidget in my chair as I think about the decision. It would be a good idea to interact with them more outside of our interviews in order to get more of an understanding about what each of them is like. However, there's always safety concerns, even with the guards there. Then again, a promotion also means a pay rise.
I look up at the director once I've made my decision.
"I'll do it."
(Author's Note: This book is off to a really slow start but I'm hoping to get things going soon.)
