An observation room.

Lucy made her way through the doorway that had appeared, hopefully saving her from further "testing". Her exhausted mind had a difficult time processing this turn of events, but she drifted on autopilot into the adjacent room. It was dimly-lit, roughly the same size the testing room had been. She first noticed a conference table taking up a majority of the center of the room.

"Ms. Wallace," As he spoke, Lucy realized the mysterious man had taken a seat at the far end of the table, "You'll notice there's a robe on the table. Perhaps you'll be more comfortable if you put it on." Lucy was still in a daze, and turned slowly towards the table, her exhausted body complying to use the minimum amount of focus to locate the robe. It was luxuriously comfortable, and as Lucy slid the garment over her body, the feeling of the plush material combined with the dissipating sense of vulnerability slowly began to bring her back to her senses. Lucy pulled out one of the executive chairs lining the table, and gently seated herself as she took in more of the room.

"It's overdue I introduce myself." The man stood from the table and slowly paced around the room as he talked. "My name is Dr. Ian Drexler, one of the partners that founded this lab, roughly 30 years ago." Lucy had already done her homework; she knew exactly who Dr. Drexler was. She had originally prepared questions relating to the industry, but all of these were currently replaced in her mind with questions relating to the intense ordeal she had just endured. Her tired mind decided it best to let him speak, and she kept her questions to herself for the time being.

"Hycondrex Labs was founded to research the hard-hitting questions and problems we witnessed in the field of human biology. My founding colleagues and I were the brightest minds we knew, and with our youth came ambition. We strove to improve humankind, eliminate disease, push the boundaries of biological studies and research. As I'm sure you're aware, we have realized those dreams, and then some. We have been directly and indirectly responsible for some of the patents and products that have increased the quality and quantity of life for almost all inhabitants of this planet. And yet... There is always more work to be done, isn't there?" Dr. Drexler had made his way around the room as he spoke, and stopped immediately next to Lucy.

"Ms. Wallace." Dr. Drexler paused, as if he was uncertain how to proceed. "I'd like to apologize for the unusual treatment you just received in that room." His eyes gestured to the exam room they had just vacated. "We made special accomodations to bring you into our organization, and yet somehow failed to let our screening department know that you would be exempt from the standard entrance exam. I only hope this unfortunate circumstance doesn't taint your judgement of working with us."

Dr. Drexler paused, and without even realizing she was speaking, Lucy snapped, and blurted out a summation of her thoughts: "What the hell am I here for? Why was I assigned as a receptionist to a mystery lab? What the hell kind of exam was THAT?"

Dr Drexler gave Lucy a disappointed, yet understanding look. "Yes, well... I am fully aware of the severity of the exam you DID partake in. At the time, I was eagerly awaiting to receive you in my office, and when you didn't arrive, I knew something was amiss. I tracked you down as quickly as I could and put a stop to the exam. I do hope you will forgive us for that... Trial you endured."

Lucy was unsettled at the demeanor Dr. Drexler carried. He seemed to be evading the truth about Lucy's purpose here at Hycondrex Labs. "Allow me to cut to the chase, Ms. Wallace. Here is what we expect from you here for your assignment..."