One Month Marked Into The Job

Lyla and Jack were discussing new supplements for livestock feed when a buzzer rang out in the room.

"Weird time for a visitor, huh?" Jack said before opening the lab door. In walked a bony, middle aged man with blonde hair. He had a gruff voice despite his skeletal appearance.

"Reiter, you jackass, how you been? And who's the hot girl?" the man asked. "I thought I said you can't have escorts in the lab, it's a security hazard." He took a cigar from his suit pocket and put it between his teeth. "Ah shit, where're my matches?" The man searched his pockets.

"And smoking in the lab isn't a hazard, Bertrand?" Jack pulled out a lighter for the man.

"Thank ya." The man took a puff from his cigar. "You're one to talk though, aren't you Jackie?" The man turned his attention to Lyla now, "I'm just kidding sweetheart, I know you ain't one of Jack's whores. Nice to see you're doing good here. Jackie boy is clever, but can't work too fast. We keep 'im around because sometimes he does something groundbreaking."

Jack shot a look to him, but said nothing. Lyla could sense he has been on edge since Bertrand came in. Despite the friendliness, she could tell the two didn't exactly get along.

"Anyways, Jackie boy, I'm taking your intern there. She's probably done enough of your job for now." Bertrand said, and turned his head to Lyla. "She's been around this place long enough, it's time we show her what else we do."

"I have no objections, Bertrand. You mind if we finish the day here? You're rotating her to Ferd's department, right? He's already off today, it wouldn't make sense to send her there now. I think he's off tomorrow too." Jack said with his hands in his pockets.

"Is he now?" Bertrand scratched his chin. "I suppose I had forgotten." He laughed.

"Not good for the CEO to be forgetful, now, Bertrand. You never know when the board will throw you out for being senile. Don't worry about Lyla, I'll make sure she rotates effectively." Jack leaned on one of the counters.

Bertrand let out a big laugh. "Whatever you say Jackie boy." He turned and existed the lab, the door closing behind him. The tension in the room felt a lot lower.

"That was the CEO?" Lyla asked.

Jack nodded, "Yeah, that's Bertrand Allison. The namesake of the company. He thinks I'm a slacker, and doesn't like me very much, not sure if you could tell."

"I could tell." Lyla said with a giggle. "So why don't you like him?"

Jack turned serious. "He's a prick. He likes to remind everyone he's in charge, especially the women. He doesn't respect them enough to even make them management, that's because he only respects females if they fuck him."

Lyla didn't quite know how to respond to that. "Oh..." she said.

"Anyways," Jack began to change the subject, "Seems like you'll be working in Ferd's department a couple days from now. I'll help you learn the ropes. He's a fun guy. Let's finish up here tonight, and maybe we can do something after work to celebrate your first rotation completion, huh?" Jack smiled.

"Uh, yeah, sure! That sounds great!" Lyla smiled back, and the two went back to working.