The nondescript office held a large shiny desk with a chair behind it and another comfortable looking chair in front for the visitor.The nondescript office held a large shiny desk with a chair behind it and another comfortable looking chair in front for the visitor. Except for a few small paintings on the walls the room was bare. I walked to the chair and sat down as the girl seated herself behind the desk. I noticed a manila file folder on the desk before her and managed to read my own name on the tab along the edge. "Miss French, my name is Carol McGee," she began while opening the folder. She welcomed me to "The Institute" and thanked me for placing my trust in them. She sounded as though she had repeated the same words countless, but she looked so young that she could not have been with the company for very long. Her eyes were directed downward to my file and I was glad for the chance to stare at her unobserved. Very pretty and neatly dressed, she looked no more than eighteen. When she looked up she smiled warmly, putting me quite at ease. Opening a drawer at her left, she brought out a small glass bottle and a plastic cup sealed in clear cellophane. |