Wait.

You wait inside the interrogation room staring nervously at the door. You tap your foot and stare back at A.V.A, to see if it has said anything new.

A: Please stay inside the interrogation room as a supervisor will be with you momentarily.

Nothing, huh?

You then hear the soft click of the door turn as a familiar face walks through the room. Before you could greet the eccentrically dressed Crowley, he puts his index finger in front of his mouth. Before you could question him, another man turns the corner. In comparison to Crowley, he seemed far plainly dressed in his tight dress-shirt and black slacks. He doesn't introduce himself, only stares you down with mild, discerning interest. Crowley on the other hand is beaming with excitement like a proud father who just witnessed his newborn's first step.

"Hello Mr. Oak, I do hope you're doing well on this wonderful evening. Allow me to introduce you to Agent Miller." Crowley makes a grand gesture introducing Agent Miller who in turn responds with very little enthusiasm. After a non-discreet elbow nudge from Crowley, the agent nods his which seems enough for the extravagant man. "Splendid. Well, I'm sure you and Agent Miller will have a lot of time to break the ice. He will be working with you on your new assignment with Detainee 1983."

Agent Miller

"Huh?" You didn't mean to sound so informal but the word just slipped out. However, Crowley pounces on your small acknowledgment to begin his long-awaited diatribe.

"Well, I'm glad you asked Mr. Oak. While my partners at the Auction House had their doubts about hiring someone from the outside, I knew you would be a great fit here. A natural. You sir have probably undergone the fastest series of promotions in a manner of days. Of course, it was initially due to the short staffing but this time your talent has been realized! Even our long resident interrogators at level B couldn't crack this nut but you did it in one sitting. Amazing. Of course, there were still members of the board that shared their doubts." Crowley fishes out a manila folder from his tote bag and hands it to you. Before you could slip in a question as to what it was he continues without skipping a beat.

"So naturally, I vouched for you and said you could handle this Detainee on your own. No one else could make any progress on him so why not take a chance on someone who could?" He motions for you to open the manila folder in your hand. As you shake the contents onto the table, Crowley goes on. "There should be a new contract in there for you, along with your new title as Level 3 Interrogator. A handsome pay raise is included of course along with added benefits. You will also find a badge and an I.D. card that gives you clearance down to Level D. Now you might be thinking, 'This is too good to be true!'. And yes, you would be partially right. Believe it or not, even my influence has its limits. In exchange for your new position as a Specialized Handler for Detainee 1983, you will be accompanied by this fine gentleman here whom I introduced earlier." Crowley looks up at Agent Miller, hoping for a more elated response. You can only assume what was the agent's best attempt at a smile creeping upon his face. "Hmm, how charming. You should smile more often. Anywho, Agent Miller will accompany you on your daily activities." Crowley pouts and offers you a light pat on the back in response to your agape expression. "Oh, don't be so disheartened, Mr. Oak. Believe me, when I say, it is a small sacrifice to pay for greater things to come. Think of Miller as your handler and personal bodyguard. Much more exciting isn't it?"

As you flip through the contract and marvel at the new pay increase, you absentmindedly reply, "I didn't know I needed protecting." Your comment wasn't directed toward anyone, it was just you thinking out loud. But for the first time, Crowley was in lack of words. After an uncomfortable amount of silence, Crowley laughs, realizing the vagueness in your reply.

"Yes, yes. Well, I have to get going now as I have many more matters to attend to before 6. Once you're done reading and signing the papers, just hand them to Agent Miller and he will get them back to me. Oh and congratulations again, Mr. Oak for a promotion well earned. Good luck!"

And with that, Crowley disappears with his tote bag in hand, leaving you with the stone-cold agent. You swivel in your seat dumbfounded as you wonder what happened. To your relief, you're not alone with the Agent for long as Mitch's head pops in from the open door.

"Hey, bud... who the fuck was that? And who the hell is this?"

Great question.

You spend the next hour explaining to Mitch everything that happened.