The Viridian Gym is always closed

After a good night's asleep, you feel well-rested and ready too face your second day as a Pokemon trainer.

"We might as well check out the gym." you say.

"Illya, the gym's closed," Tracey says.

"When will it open?"

"I don't know. It's been closed for a really long time."

"How am I supposed to earn my eighth badge?"

"I guess we'll have to come back here after we've gotten all the other badges."

"Well, the next gym is through the Viridian Forest but Route 22 sounds like a good place to get some practice, maybe catch a few more Pokemon. We will probably have to spend another night here if do, though."

You also know that Route 22 is home to Rattata, which you have not caught on Route 1, Spearow and Nidoran of both genders.

You and Tracey return to the Pokecentre. Bulbasaur has been all healed up.

On your way to Route 22, you see a purple haired woman, a blue haired man and a Meowth standing at the entrance of the Viridian Forest. At first you think they might be SJWs before the purple haired one turns round, revealing the Team Rocket emblem. Also thinking about it, they're both too attractive to be SJWs.

"How long are we supposed to wait?" the blue haired man asks.

"We're on guard duty." the purple haired woman says.

Since these uniforms are white, not black, you figure they must be plenty high ranking. This only affirms your decision to explore Route 22 and hope they're gone by the time you go to the Viridian Forest tomorrow.