Insect Politics

Chapter 4

"So...Professor Eastman is nuttier than a month's supply of almond butter for a family of five." Caleb said sitting down at the security desk next to Imani.

"What makes you say that? Besides...the fact the he seemingly plays with murderous bugs all day?" Imani asked taking off her jacket at the beginning of the work day.

"Have you ever actually talked to him...at length about anything other then work?" Caleb asked.

"No, but that's because I'm a professional who takes their job seriously. We really shouldn't even be talking to the Professor. Josh told us when we started working here: never ever under any circumstances go into any of the labs or talk to any of the lab technicians." Imani said.

"That's not all our boss said. He also said: unless they talk to you first." Caleb said.

"Besides it's like the professor told us: he's our bosses' boss and he owns the company. Right? I mean his name is on the front of the building." He continued.

"I don't know. Every time we go into the labs or even associate with the staff on an unprofessional level it just makes me nervous. I like working here. Plus we have zero security clearance. The professor reports the progress of his experiments to the military, and we just hang out in his lab like a break room." Imani said.

"We weren't just hanging out. I was injured, and professor Eastman was nice enough to patch me up. I think you're overthinking this Mani." Caleb said.

"I just think the less we associate with anyone in a lab coat or go into any labs the better." Imani said.

"Well...that might be kind of difficult for me now." Caleb said.

"What in the name of the Jackson five are you talking about?" Imani asked.

"Well...on that note I actually have some pretty exciting news." Caleb said.

"Which is...?" Imani asked.

"Greta and I went out on saturday night." Caleb said with a giant smile on his face.

"I don't believe you." Imani said.

"Why must you-" Caleb began to say and stopped himself afraid he might raise his voice in frustration.

"Every time I go out with a very attractive woman that you know of: you don't believe it." Caleb said looking very annoyed.

"I am messing with you Caleb! Geez! Why do you always fall for that?" Imani said laughing hysterically.

"Very funny." Caleb said as he rolled his eyes.

"Seriously though? You and Greta? Wow...that's actually kind of amazing. Well done." Imani said.

"Yeah. I just went for it. Asked her out on friday, and we were having dinner on saturday. Kind of surreal actually. I mean she is literally a perfect ten." Caleb said.

"Oh my god. You sound like such a douche bag right now!" Imani said.

"What?" Caleb asked laughing.

"A perfect ten? Kind of surreal? She's a person you creep. Not a trophy for you to hang on your wall." Imani said.

"Oh my god! Her looks are not my only interest." Caleb said.

"The attractiveness scale is demeaning to women. Calling girls fives, eights, nines, or tens is textbook objectification." Imani said.

"Wow Imani...the only book I've ever seen you read is people magazine. I had no idea you were an intellectual." Caleb said.

"Fuck you!" Imani said.