14 Part 1
It was very early the next morning as Ruth made her way to the Doreen Building. The sun had just begun to crest the horizon as she walked down the virtually abandoned sidewalks. To Ruth, this was the best part of the day and so it was her habit to arrive before anyone else to the archival laboratory. New archaeological specimens had just arrived from Ruth’s excavation site and she was eager to examine them.
“This is great,” smiled Ruth as she opened the laboratory door. The large windows of the laboratory faced east, allowing for the full effect of the morning sun to bathe the lab in a golden light. Long tables displayed beautiful artefacts carefully identified from various archaeological findings. Ruth moved down to the area reserved for her project and quickly identified the newest specimens. She carefully picked up a piece of pottery and held it aloft to examine the intricate colors and design in the bright sunlight.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” said Mr. Chalk standing behind Ruth.
“Holy Christ,” exclaimed Ruth as she instinctively flinched at the unexpected sound of Mr. Chalk’s voice. The startling effect almost caused Ruth to drop the ancient piece of pottery.
She carefully replaced the pottery piece on the lab table. Spinning around she saw Mr. Chalk standing at an adjacent table directly behind her.
“You,” said Ruth pointing at Mr. Chalk, “scared me half to death!”
Mr. Chalk gave a small smile and returned to looking at a map on the table in front of him.
“Didn’t I make it perfectly clear that I was not going to talk to you?” exclaimed Ruth, still slightly shaking from the ordeal.
“Not exactly,” replied Mr. Chalk, “you had stated that we were not to meet again in your office.” Ruth began to get angry again but suddenly realized that it was a losing battle.
“It is quite apparent,” said Ruth through clinched teeth, “that the only way I am going to get rid of you, is to hear what you have to say.”
Mr. Chalk briefly looked up from the map. “Excellent,” he replied and then returned to the map.
Ruth stared at Mr. Chalk.
“This is so frustrating,” thought Ruth. “Look,” said Ruth, “I just agreed to listen to what you have to say and now you’re not talking. So why are you here?”
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