"Welcome to RAPTURE!" Andrew Ryan's voice bombed from the speakers as we exited the sub and passed through the thresholds of the underwater kingdom. Gasps engulfed the small group of people I accompanied as we walked down the glass hall. The floors were of marble and the windows were held together with curved iron, they gave us a 180 degree view of the ocean around it. A young couple glued themselves to the window as a group of colorful sea creatures' swimmed by. While others looked around, wondering the giant hall, ahhing and owing at the architect, some pointing to signs others to the generators that glowed and bobbled.
"If you are all so easily astonished we may never get to your rooms." A sharp dressed man walked in from the opposite end of the hall, his stride commanding attention a slight chuckle in his voice as he spoke. Everyone's head had snapped to the man, everyone but mine, I'd been watching him since I heard the strange door creek open.
My eyes sparked as and my feet took off with an equal amount of command as I strode over to him. When I came face to face with the typhoon I looked him straight in the face and extended my hand, "It's wonderful to finally meet you face to face Mr. Ryan." I smiled. He smiled back, taking my hand and shaking it with vigor. "I am Alice Persephone Falysita. It's an honor to finally be in Rapture."
His eyes seemed to light up, but only for a moment and then it was gone covered with a business smile. "Such a bold name for such a little girl, American, Greek and Italian, quite a mix."
He patted my hand and then let it go, finally addressing the rest of the group. "Hello, I am Andrew Ryan, creator of Rapture, I look forward to working with all of you." He clapped his hands behind his back and stood somehow even taller, as a group of young men and woman appeared behind him, all draped in different outfits. "This is the housing faculty, cleaners, and builders." He motioned his right hand to them. "They all work very hard to make your rooms comfortable. You will have a week to adjust and then we will start your work assignments. These people are not your servants', respect them." He nodded his head sharply, making my small group bob their head in agreement. "May you all have a good first day in Rapture."
I blinked at him, my face holding a puzzled expression, "But Mr. Ryan," I started without thinking, "its night." I felt my face redden as he turned to look at me.
"Is it truly?" he took out his pocket watch and looked at it. "In rapture time works differently, since we have no sunlight to dictate the time of day, we work on Rapture time. Everyone will find a watch in your rooms, you will get used to it quickly I hope."
And with that he turned and took his leave.