Basil Lancaster paced around the room anxiously, papers in hand. The smell of cleaning products didn't irritate him as much as the long wait to see his old friend and former colleague. The silence was interrupted when he heard a woman's voice.
"Mr. Lancaster?"
He abruptly stopped pacing and corrected her. "Dr. Lancaster."
"Dr. Lancaster, sorry," she apologized with a hint of sarcasm. " Dr. Saturday is ready to see you now."
"Well." He straightened his tie. "It's about time."
Lancaster walked into the neat office with file cabinets book cases overflowing with medical books. The man at the desk looked up from the book he had been reading and stood up as the woman left.
"Basil," he said. "I didn't think I'd see you again so soon. What happened to Egypt?"
"Samuel, it's good to see you," said Basil. "It... wasn't what I had hoped." He glanced down at the polished desk and the framed pictures caught his eyes. "My God, is that Solomon?"
"Yes, it has been a while since you've last seen him or Sam, hasn't it?"
"And who's this?" asked Basil, pointing to a different picture. There was a small baby wrapped in light pink blankets with a little matching cap.
"That's Sienna," said Samuel who was now smiling. "She was born a few months ago, while you were away."
"Well, she's beautiful," said Basil. "I'm sorry to change the subject so soon, but I do have a small favor to ask of you."
"And what would that be?" Samuel asked, adjusting his glasses.
"First off, I assure you it would all be worth it, but in order to began I need someone to help out with the finances, that someone being you. I know the amount isn't exactly... low, but-"
"How much?"
"Here." Basil handed Samuel the slightly wrinkled papers. "Now, the government has agreed to fund certain parts, but if I can't get the rest, then it looks like all of my research will amount to nothing."
"Basil you never cease to surprise me," said Samuel after a moment. "You seem to have thought everything out, and you're definitely right about the amount, but..." After letting out a sigh, he finally nodded. "I'll do it."