Mind Control

Eggs

"Do you like your eggs scrambled or sunny side up?" Arabella asks.

"How about an omelet?" Drew suggests.

"That wasn't in the options, rich guy " she replies dryly. 

"Scrambled, then " he sighs.

She looks at me, and I say, "I'll just have cereal,"

"Okay,"

We are sitting in a very large kitchen, big enough to seat at least thirty people. Drew and I are sitting on the island. We woke up earlier than the rest of the house, so we could be alone. Declan said he would get our tour started after our breakfast.

I watch Arabella as she cooks. She has flawless, porcelain skin and jet black hair, streaked with blond and red. Her almond eyes and high cheekbones show her Asian heritage. Her hair is tied back in an expertly braided design, one which I could never pull off. On the whole, she's very attractive.

"So, how long have you two been together?" Ary asks.

"A few months now," Drew lies easily.

"That's really cute. Treat her well, Drew. If not for you, I'd totally be hitting on her," she warns.

"Wait, are you..."

"Yes, I'm lesbian. Any problems?" she says sharply. Her voice has a defensive edge to it.

"No, not at all. Just curious," Drew says quickly.

"Curiosity killed the cat," she mutters while breaking the egg.

"Hey, where is the cereal?" I interrupt.

"In the cabinet next to the fridge," she calls back. "No, not that one. The one on the left,"

"Got it, thanks," I say, pouring Honey Nut Cheerios into a bowl. I go to grab the milk from the fridge, and find myself standing there, very confused.

"There are so...many," I stammer.

"Lydia, what are you talking about?" Drew says, getting up. He stands close behind me and I can feel his jaw drop. "Oh, that's what you're talking about. How the hell do you pick what to have cereal with?"

There are two large shelves in the fridge filled with milk. Soy milk, almond milk, goat milk, buffalo milk, two percent, low fat, and countless others. Who needs this much milk?

"We have about three hundred people here. People are picky with their milk, and many have allergies. Keep in mind that's not the only fridge. That's just the dairy fridge," Ary laughs.

"And you call us rich kids," I scoff. "Where are the other fridges?"

"Down the hall. We have a room full of fridges,"

"Why is the dairy one out here then?" Drew asks.

"We need it the most. Can you pick some damn milk and shut the door please?" she replies. "Drew, your egg is ready,"

"Thanks. Have you eaten?" he asks, taking the plate.

"I don't eat big breakfasts. I had an apple and some milk. Almond milk, if you must know," she adds, seeing my look.

"So where are the non-perishable things kept? And who cooks for all these people?" I ask.

"Another room, next to the fridge room. And it's very organized and rather complicated really," she explains.

"Try me," I say.

"Okay, you asked for it. You've noticed there are ten floors here right?" she pauses, as I nod. "Each floor wakes up and sleeps at a slightly different time. Of course, there are always people coming and going. Very rarely do we have all three hundred and twenty eight people in the building at once,"

"How far apart are the timings?" Drew asks.

"Ten minutes. I know it's not enough to eat breakfast," she adds after seeing Drew's face. "People grab their breakfast, whatever it is they want, and go outside or up to their rooms,"

"And the cooking? How does one make an omelet in ten minutes?" Drew asks.

"You and your omelets. If you want anything that will take longer than ten minutes, too bad. Make scrambled eggs, that should only take you about five," she rolls her eyes.

"Who buys and finances all this stuff?" I ask.

"It's not my place to tell. You'll find out today though. Are you guys done? I need to go, I have a few errands to run," she says, looking at her watch.

"I'm not done!" I say with my mouth full of cereal.

"Call Declan once you're done. He'll show you around and answer your seemingly endless stream of questions," she laughs. "I'll see you at dinner,"

"Okay, Arabella. Thanks," I say as she leaves.

I finish my cereal and face Drew. "Ready?"

"Yeah. Do you want to call him or should I?"

"I'll call him," I say.

I grab my phone off the counter and scroll through the contacts until I find Declan.

He answers on the second ring.

"Declan? It's Lydia. Arabella said to call you once we're done breakfast," I explain.

"I'll be down in five minutes," he says, and hangs up the phone. I wipe ketchup off Drew's face and onto his shirt.

"Hey!" he protests.

"He'll be here soon. We're finally getting that tour,"