A little strange...

Lucy followed Charlotte down the hall. The tall, sleek woman took large steps and was slightly difficult to keep up with.

"So...", Spoke Charlotte, not slowing for a moment, "You're Chuck's kid, huh? I see you got some of his good looks. I could tell you some serious stories about your folks..." The energetic receptionist was a little too far ahead for Lucy to conveniently ask her to expand on that, and she abruptly stopped at an office. A placard by the door read, "New Employee Orientation".

"Now, you're not a true employee, just a temp. But all the same, they run all new employees through a pretty, umm... Rigorous orientation." Lucy didn't much care for how carefully Charlotte had chosen the word "rigorous", but she figured this was just more of the hazing she had received earlier. "Now I obviously don't know what the process is for C-5, I've heard rumors that they have their own special exam, but who knows. Anyway, I have plenty to get back to!" Charlotte paused for a moment, gave Lucy a look up and down, and said, "Good luck!" Enthusiastically before promptly turning back down the hallway from where they had travelled.

Was this treatment normal? Seemed strange. Was it because of her unusual designation to building C-5? Her father worked with very delicate information he wasn't even allowed to discuss at home, and HE didn't know what research went on in C-5. Maybe this assignment would be more noteworthy after all! Maybe the receptionists were jealous of her interesting, secretive post. Lucy turned the handle and entered the orientation office.

The office was small. Lucy had expected a waiting room with chairs, but instead an elderly woman sat behind a desk. Lucy walked up to her and began to explain, "Hello, my name is Lucy Wallace, I'm here..." Without changing her vacant stare at the computer terminal screen, the woman grabbed a paper from the top of a stack and said in a tired voice, "Your exam will be held in room 15, through the door to my right. Do not enter any other exam rooms. Room 15."

Lucy gave a tentative "Thank you..." To the woman, grabbed the paper she had dropped on the end of the desk, and proceeded through the door to the woman's right. Exam doors filled the long hallway, all neatly labeled. The hallway was eerily quiet, not even the hum of lights or ventilation could be heard. Lucy followed the doors until she reached 15. Her nerves had increased for some reason. She turned the knob and opened the door.

The room was empty. Completely empty. Bright ceiling lights illuminated pristine white walls and floor tiles in a room roughly double the size of a standard doctor's office. Lucy did a double-take and checked the room number a second time. 15 was right. Maybe she was missing something. She entered the room and cautiously made her way towards the center.