Intern at S.T.A.R. Labs

"Groowwwlllllll". Our protagonist had forgone breakfast & was now regretting it. Youd think for one the most important days someone would be prepared for everything … and not forget to pack snacks, let alone their lunch.

'Tick and Tock', like a lazy segway to the next scene, the clock struck 1PM, 'Lunch time'. During their chat Adrian remembered hearing whispers of a "party" so hopefully free food. He was new here so it'd feel a bit awkward asking around to confirm, all he could do was wait till the elevator doors opened and he sees…. The buffet service. 'Yes! Free food'.

The hunger must have heightened his senses, the wafting fragrance of delicacies mingling with each other along with the drink's tingling his nose, he could almost taste them. The imagery of several appetizing meals on every section, the sounds of cutlery attacking the plates & the feeling of …. Some vibration? Was his stomach growling again, oh wait, the cellphone. He took out his phone and his face paled, not out of fright but he knew he couldn't have this phone call in front of his new colleagues without being sent to H.R. . That's just how calls with your friends go.

'Ugh , fine whatever'.

"Ssup dickhead!" Adrian said as he walked to a corner.

"Hey Adrian. Are you free for a minute?". Said the somber voice.

"What happened? Youre never this somber or sober when we talk." Adrian exclaimed.

"Yeah it's about my mom. The doctors say the standard procedures aren't working so well for her, so they thinking of some experimental stuff but it's expensive and risky so –"

"I could break my savings if necessary, I'll talk to others and we can gather the money if you—" said Ad.

"Nah bro, you guys have helped me enough. I'll sort the money. I just wanted to ask you about these experimental procedures. Youre more of the science guy of our group and I don't exactly know much."

To go back a bit this was one of Adrian's best friends and his mother has some heart condition which was genetic but a sudden viral infection caused it to accelerate. Treating for both in a short span of time with the added danger of most treatments for the infection put a lot of stress on the heart, while treating both simultaneously was an option it was experimental.

"Send me the doctor reports in writing, maybe I can ask around or something. I'll at least get some expert opinions for sure" Adrian said trying not to raise his hopes too much.

"Thanks a lot man. By the way what about your job? S.T.A.R. Labs right, how'd it go?" still sniffling a bit.

"Ah you know. I'm such a big nerd that I wowed them with out-nerding them. They were so impressed heck they might make ,me the CEO." Adrian joked trying to cheer his bro up.

"Hahahaha, they just might. When they do, make sure to give all the boys the biggest party of the year."

TAP, Tap, tap, mic check. The taps on the microphone now amplified from the speakers spooking our protagonist who thought it was a good idea to stand next to the speakers in a party.

"Guess youre already having a party."

"Hehe, not sure. I just got here anyway, plus it's just the office canteen with some more food".

"Hey I Don't wanna interrupt your fun so I'll call you later".

Adrian being the introvert knew his social battery was drained after talking to these many new people in a formal environment. But he knew , a corporate environment was a vicious one, he's seen T.V. shows where if you don't show up to the party and suck up to your seniors everyone starts talking behind your back, "Does he think he's better than us"" I never liked him much anyway" & all that, if he didn't make a good first impression here he was—

'ehh, there's always tomorrow' as Adrian snaked away from the party continuing his talk outside. Meanwhile inside , three shady looking men stood in a hallway away from the party

"Are we sure we want to do this sir?"

"What are you chickening out now? Boss sent him personally to get a look at he goods".

"Yeah but that Wells guy is pretty smart. I don't know how long I can keep him fooled."

"Hold yourself together , its only a matter of 2 months now. Boss has been planning this for a year, we cant let him down"

"B-but .."

"Hold on to yer knickers young fella, if Wells had noticed ya he would have sent ya to the pigs long ago." He said while smoke covered his face as he exhaled his cigarette.

"Yeah , like he said. I ain't working this janitor gig for the prestige you know? So just lead us to the vault and he will check the goods."

"O-okay". As they walk off someone gets up on stage and the guy with the cigarette stands back

" This town ain't big enough for two dons Harrison. You may have everyone fooled but bossman will bring you down for sure" he leaves in the smoke of his cigerrate scratching a scar on his chest, left by some yellow devil as he thought.

Atop the stage stood the brains of this building, the man upstairs, the greatest scientific mind (what he likes to think of himself) , Dr. Harrison Wells.

"Good Afternoon everyone. I know everyone is famished as am I so Lets keep it brief. After the inspections today by Mercury labs and Health-safety, they have given us the go ahead. Today marks another milestone towards our journey to a fascinating future and trust me, that future will be here faster than you think. Cheers". Applause from around the room with their glasses raised for him.

"Also save me some pasta". Harrison jests as everyone laughs. He certainly knew how to control the narrative. The crowd broke off to the buffet and sat with their groups. Besides the buffet and the podium it was just a decently big office cafeteria. A few minutes before lunchtime ends someone finally decided to make an entrance. Adrian now hungry and tired made his way to the buffet.

With a full plate and nowhere to sit he looked around, 'definetly not sharing bench with some randos. Cant exactly sit with Cisco and the others just yet. Huh surprisingly Mr. Don't talk to me Harold had some friends too' only to notice a corner table with only one man sitting there.

"Excuse me, can I sit with you"

"Sure, I was almost done anyway".

Of all the people working there he just had to run into him on the first day. The CEO, Dr.Wells.

"T-hank you, s-sir". 'Dam that's THE Harrison wells, what do I say?'

"Soo you like Pasta?" as he sees Wells scarfin down his pasta bowl.

"Like is not the word I would use. Its nutritious ,easy to make and eat quickly. For a man as busy as I am, its always good to save time when possible".

"Definitely, I like pasta too" Adrian stumbled. Wells just paused gave him a stare and continued eating. He too started eating as continuing the conversation was just too painful mentally.

"Sir aren't you the CEO. Why not have the meal delivered to your office?" Adrian queried.

"Are you saying I'm not allowed to use my facility as I please?" Wells stared cold daggers at Adrian.

'Shit shit shitttt' "Uh no , ijust thought tghat—"

"People think highly of you when you're above them yet you sit at their level. Better for maintaining the mirage".

"I see".

"Also my gofer seems to have gone off since the morning & rather than wait its better to eat pasta hot".

"By the way sirsorry for the late introduction Im Adrian Brown, the new intern in the Fab department"

"Good to know. I expect good results from the Fab team soon" Wells said as he got up to leave

"It's a pleasure working under you sir" he said as Wells walked away.

'that's way too much stress for today. I might ask floor boss for a half day' he thought as he hurriedly ate trying to finish it before he's too late for the next shift.