It was now Tuesday the 15th and Sarah was feeling more nervous than ever.
She'd been unable to help herself when Mrs.Landon had offered her an extra $250 as an immediate signing bonus to the program. Money was in short supply for her right now, so anything extra would help. The money had even been transferred to her account before she'd left the office.
Today was the first day of orientation. They were to take her and some others to the research facility and introduce them to the people they'd be working with once the program began. The beginning, which was scheduled for the 21st.
She felt a number of things running through her as she sat within a private and rented bus. Nervousness, anxiety, fear, excitement, wonder, and awe. It was certainly something for her diary - but at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder what they would be testing.
She tries to reassure herself, however. Reminding herself of Mrs.Landon's words, that they would never give her anything which would harm her. That the staff would always have her best interests in mind.
She leans back into the cushioned seat as her eyes scan the rest of the vehicles interior. There were five other accepted applicants coming to the orientation with her, as well as Mrs.Landon who sat at the front of the bus making friendly small talk with the driver as they rode towards their destination.
Were all of these individuals coming for the advanced studies? Or was she the only one? It was hard to say, but she imagined she'd find out once they arrived. She didn't much want to ask right now, after all. Being as she was a tad shy at times.
Soon the bus was pulling into a long crescent shaped passenger drop off which was flanked on its inside by a large stone fountain - and its outside edge by the main canopied walkway to the tall and imposing white walled research facility that they were about to enter.
"Hey, nice building..." A boy looking about twenty one or twenty two says from opposite the aisle of Sarah herself. His own dark brown, short hair matted down a top his head. His chest and arms covered by an olive drab long sleeve jacket, a worn pair of jeans on his legs and some scuffed up shoes on his feet.
"Yeah..." Sarah remarks quietly, looking in awe of it herself. It was several stories high, spanning back at least a couple hundred yards and flanked on its sides by a bit of field as the building it self sat on the edge of the Sacramento city lines.
"I wonder how often we'll be visiting to give our info." The boy says,
"Hard to say... I signed up for the advanced studies." Sarah replies,
"Really? Me too, what's your name? I'm Tyler." He smiles,
"Sarah." She says.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, here we are!" Mrs.Landon says from the front of the bus. Seeking to capture everyones attention as the bus doors begin to slide open automatically.
Once everyone had managed to get themselves off of the bus, Mrs.Landon would be leading them down the brick lock walkway for the front doors; each step of her wide high heeled feet exuding great confidence as she stops and soon pulls one of the double doors open so that everyone can file inside of the building.
The entrance to the facility was similar to the administration building in that it was decorated with high windows and high ceilings. But instead of grey tones, this building was made up primarily of white tones and had a good number more cameras.
Many of the doors leading off into the facility also appeared to have keycard locking systems from what Sarah could see.
"Nice inside, too." Tyler says, looking around as he tries to imagine just how much a building like this might cost to build.
"Isn't it? Its all state of the art." Mrs.Landon smiles as she motions towards the center hallway behind a crescent shaped reception desk where two women were filing papers and typing away quietly.
She begins to lead the group of six towards the hall, swiping a card of her own to unlock the doors before pressing through.
"Mrs.Landon?" Sarah asks, looking down the long white, hospital like hallway which follows.
"Hmm? What is it, dear?" Brenda asks,
"Just out of curiosity, what's your position at Cosmolex?" Sarah asks as they walk,
"Well, I'm glad you asked that, Sarah. I'm the Recruitment and Employee Relations Manager for the Sacramento area." Mrs.Landon smiles, "Which means that I look after people like yourselves and everyone else who works for Cosmolex here in the city and make sure the higher ups are treating them alright." She chuckles.
Sarah nods, "That sounds like a cool job." She says as Tyler nods himself in agreement. The others in the group mostly keeping quiet as they follow behind.
"It has its ups and downs just like any other position. But for the most part, I find it an excellent fit." Mrs.Landon says as they stop before another set of double set of steel fire doors. Mrs.Landon giving them a knock this time - as the windows through lead to a large open laboratory.
"Do we work for Cosmolex now?" Tyler asks, raising an eyebrow. He'd imagined this as more of a kind of volunteer position rather than an official on-the-payroll position.
Mrs.Landon nods, "Of course! The recruiting and scope for the testing positions might not be the kind of thing you're all accustomed too, but you're very much on the payroll." She explains just before the double doors swing wide open.
Beyond and before the vast set of well kept and freshly polished scientific equipment stands two individuals. One early thirties appearing caucasian man with his hands clasped behind his back and another woman to his left who appeared much closer to Sarah and Tyler's age smiling with her blonde hair tied back in a pony tail.
"Mrs.Landon, you've brought us a great group this time." The man smiles, his white teeth nearly sparkling from within his oblong shaped face. His blue eyes surveying them all over from beneath his combed over dirty blonde hair.
He steps forwards with his long, white, and unbuttoned labcoat flowing behind him as he moves. Revealing a suit beneath as he extends a hand towards the first would-be test subject and nods his head with a smile, "Bryan; but most people around here just call me Dr.Hallman." He says as Sarah smiles in return.
"Nice to meet you." Sarah says,
"Likewise," Mr.Hallman grins and moves on down the row of people introducing himself.
Once he finishes, he takes a step back beside the girl, "And this is Ms.Hayes, my research assistant." He motions to the girl as she plays at a bit of a curtsy, ushering some giggles from the group.
Mrs.Landon smiles, motioning herself to Dr.Hallman, "Mr.Hallman here is one of our many Lead Research Scientists. For those of you in the advanced studies, you'll be speaking with him and working with him quite a bit. But you'll be spending quite a bit of time with Ms.Hayes as well." She explains.
Ms.Hayes nods, "That's right, folks! I'll be the one doing the minor things such as taking measurements, administering drugs, and doing minor check ups." She says.
"Are there any questions?" Mrs.Landon asks, looking back towards the group,
Tyler nods, raising his hand. "Yeah, uh, how much time exactly are we going to spend here?" He asks.
"Dr.Hallman?" Mrs.Landon asks, looking back towards the man.
"Well, it really depends on what we're testing. Some things require more attention than others. How many of you are here for the advanced studies?" He asks, watching as only Sarah and Tyler raise their hands.
Hallman nods, "The two of you can expect to spend much more time here at the facility than the others. If you have another job already, you may want to notify your employers that you've picked up a second." He explains.
With that - and within a few hours, after viewing other sections of the facility and meeting other scientists, the tour would be over. The group back in the bus and heading back towards the admin building to head off their seperate ways.
By evening, Sarah was back at home. Indeed she'd informed her employer of the news and now sat within her bed once more. Nervous and yet still containing that ever lasting excitement at what lay ahead. Dr.Hallman and Ms.Hayes seemed nice enough, after all. Maybe it would even be fun.