Go to the Cafe

You eagerly anticipate the clock ticking over to 12:00 so you can rush off to see Tasha, until it occurs to you that you're not ready for that encounter just yet (if ever). Usually chatting with Tasha takes up most of your lunch so you need an alternative. You make a snap decision to walk to a café down the street from your office. Quite pleased with this choice, you smile to yourself as you walk over there.

Every day you pass Cook Street Café, but you've never been in because you prefer to eat with Tasha. The ambiance of the place is quite appealing to you. The tables and chairs are a dark wood, like mahogany. There are people diligently typing away at their expensive laptops. You ask the hostess for a table for just you, and she seats you at a table outside on the rooftop terrace.

You silently kick yourself for not trying this place sooner, because it already feels like an excellent escape to unwind. Apparently you're not the only one at DICO that enjoys eating here, two tables down you spot Dr. Henazi eating a large salad. You're so surprised you can't decide whether or not you should go and greet him.

After ordering a drink from a waitress, you think up a brilliant plan! You will walk by him to use the bathroom and if he notices you maybe you can offer to have lunch with him. As you walk passed him you hear, "Smith".

"Oh, good afternoon, Dr. Henazi. I had no idea you ate here too!" You're being a total kiss-ass but it doesn't bother you in the slightest because it could lead to you being Dr. Henazi's next experiment subject.

"I come here almost everyday, Smith. It’s a great way to escape the office." He nudges you with his elbow. The doctor wears clothes worth more than your car. He's taller than you with jet black hair and brown eyes. He looks like the upper end of middle age, probably due to all the stress he has had to deal with at the company.

You politely laugh at his remark, and ask if he might join you for the remainder of the lunch break. Without another word, he picks up his drink and food, bringing it over to your table.

"I am always curious about one thing about all my staff, if you don't mind me asking… What is it that brought you to DICO?" After asking this he sits back in his chair almost expecting an answer that pleases him.

"Well, thats a good question. I originally had a job offer at a company that paid me nearly three times more than I currently do. I saw an interview with you, and hearing you explain all of the things you wanted to do I knew I wanted to be a part of it." At this point you catch yourself rambling but continue to explain your fascination with DNA modification.

The doctor hasn't said a single word and his face is completely deadpan. You realize it’s probably time to shut up.

Dr. Henazi takes one last bite of his salad, then tells you your passion is admirable and he's happy to have you on his team. A waitress comes to interrupt your conversation to bring the doctor another glass of wine and he generously orders one for you too. You cut him off, suggesting that might not be the best idea since you still have a lot of work to do. Henazi laughs heartily at your protest.

"You won’t be going back to work today... I would love to screen you as a new test subject." You can't even begin to form words and all of the surrounding sounds and voices just becomes white noise.