He believes that it all began four years ago.

At twenty six years old, Aloysius Adam was a fresh graduate from one of the many fine medical schools in Los Angeles, and like all his fellow graduates he was seeking an internship at GeneCo. Sure, there were still a few other companies that employed doctors and surgeons, but everyone knew GeneCo was the only way to go, and to settle for anything less would be a waste of eight years of school. Still, getting an internship with the company was not an easy task; Competition was fierce, especially in such a day in age in which there was an overabundance of those in the medical field. (After the NOS Breakout, the general population experienced a paradigm-shift towards greater knowledge in medicine, as well as a certain obsession with the ability to change one's body, not to mention the move away from religion.) Still, Aloysius was optimistic in the way only a desperate college grad could be, and was thus preparing for his interview he had scheduled at the local Operation Center.

He had prepared for everything, or so he believed. After putting on his best suit, meticulously styling his brown hair, and brushing his teeth at least three times, the doctor-to-be had felt pretty good about his interview, and strolled into the Operation Center with a vibe of confidence that, in his mind, caught the attention of the other applicants. He had carefully sat down to wait, checking his holo-watch to make sure he had turned his phone off before settling in to wait. As he sat, Aloysius turned his attention to the Operation Center itself, taking in the sights and sounds. True, he had been in these centers before, but this one seemed… Special. Like it was meant for him, and was just waiting for the official word to reach out and accept it as a part of itself.

Or, perhaps he was just getting carried away staring at the Genterns.

About twenty minutes later, Aloysius's name was called by a woman in a white lab coat: Not a Gentern, it appeared, but still young and attractive, which seemed to be the norm for women that worked for GeneCo. She had smiled at him when he had stood up, apparently not noticing how nervous and exited he was as she took his papers and lead him down a hallway with doors on both sides, each door having a small window that allowed anyone to look on to see what was taking place in those rooms. Aloysius took his chance as he dutifully followed her, glancing around and catching glimpses of surgeries taking place, of patients being prepped, and of SurGENs working so easily, just like they were portrayed in the media.

What excitement! What efficiency! What excellence! Surely, he was cut out for this.

Finally, the two reached a door where the woman stopped and knocked. From inside, a male voice answered with a low "Come in," soon followed by a soft click as the electronic lock on the door was disengaged. The woman opened the door, leading Aloysius into a typical office, with a middle aged man seated behind a wooden desk and two chairs before the desk. Several posters decorated the walls behind him, as well as a cork board with various notes tacked to it, situated beside three monitors that played silent versions of popular GeneCo commercials advertising their various new programs, including the fantastic new "Replace Your Face" Program.

While Aloysius had been captured by the monitors, the woman had handed his application over to the man before leaving, closing the door behind him. Another click of the door brought the young man back to his senses as he turned, glancing at the door with a hint of unease before turning his attention to the man, who was smiling at him. "Please, sit down," he instructed, picking up Aloysius's paper as the man sat. "I'm Dr. Marvin," He introduced himself shortly. Aloysius had already guessed as much, having red the man's nametag that was so neatly sewed to his jacket.

"Let us see here…" Dr. Marvin began, leaning back in his chair as he studied the paper. He was silent for a few moments while he read, leaving Aloysius with nothing but the sound of an old model clock ticking on the wall. "You started school in New York?"

Aloysius had paused for a moment, unsure if he was supposed to answer or not. The older man lowered the paper a few inches, quizzically raising an eyebrow and gesturing with his free hand for the other to speak. "Oh! Um, yes. I studied biology in an undergraduate school for three years in New York because… Well, it was cheaper. I finished my last year of undergraduate and went to medical school here in LA, however," He answered.

"Of course," Dr. Marvin said with a nod, taking another look at the paper. Aloysius found himself watching the man closely, studying his every facial expression, every movement of his hands, searching for any sign of what the man might be thinking as he read the application. The answer came in the form of a small frown, which caused him to panic slightly. "You failed Biochemistry in your second year."

Ah, that. "Oh, yes. My father died that year, and I was absent the week before for his funeral, and failed the final, because, well…" He let the sentence hang, remembering the event and the chaos that had surrounded the death.

"Of course, I'm sorry," Dr. Marvin said sympathetically, nodding his head slightly. "And I see you made it up. Very good. Now then," He set down the paper, sitting forward in his chair and studying the younger man across the desk. "Why do you want to work for GeneCo?"

Aloysius's answer was immediate. "GeneCo is the leader of the world in surgery. I want to work for the best, and no one else even comes close in comparison."

Dr. Marvin couldn't help but crack a smile, shaking his head. "Alright, I'll take that as your official response, but really: Why do you want to work for us? No practiced statements, please."

The young man faltered slightly, blinking rapidly. Had he really sounded like he had rehearsed that statement? He had, true, but still… "Um. I… I heard the pay is great, plus you get the most business, so I'll always be working and helping people…"

The older man clapped once. "Wonderful. See, the truth is easy! Now, now, don't look all flustered, a lot of people practice that answer. Okay, moving right along: Why medicine?"

Aloysius tilted his head, raising a brow. "I'm sorry?"

"Why medicine, why do you want to become a SurGEN?"

"Ah, well… My father was a physician, so I grew up with medicine always present. He was a great man, and kind of inspired me, I guess. I originally wanted to become a physician like him, but after he died of cancer, I thought I might do everyone more good as a surgeon."

Dr. Marvin studied Aloysius for a moment longer, making the younger man feel rather uncomfortable. He wondered once again what the doctor was thinking, and what he was looking for: Was he finding it? Was he silently criticizing him? Picking out his flaws and planning how he was going to tear him down? What? What?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity to Aloysius though in truth was only a few seconds, the older man set his application down and stood up. "Yes, well. GeneCo only accepts the best."

He could hear something in him shatter. Really? Was that it? A few questions and he already had made up his mind? Aloysius mentally swore before standing up, swallowing hard and finding his voice. "Yes, of course, I understand…"

Dr. Marvin raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you do? Alright, then. Well, head on over to the recruitment center tomorrow, and they'll talk to you more about where you'll work in the company, as well as our different programs for SurGENs and--"

"I'm sorry?"

"You're hired, of course," Dr. Marvin said with a smile, extending a hand across the desk. "Welcome to GeneCo, Dr. Adam."

Aloysius blinked several times, his mind reeling as it tried to understand what the doctor had just said, his emotions somewhere in-between completely elated and ecstatic. "Th-Thank you!" He choked out suddenly, managing to keep his voice at least somewhat calm as he grabbed the other man's hand, giving it a hearty shake. Dr Marvin laughed good naturedly, taking the application and stamping something on it before handing it back to Aloysius.

"Now, when you get to the recruitment center, all of your information will be put in the computers and you'll officially be hired. But you got the job; I'll drop them a line as soon as you leave. I'm sure you're going to be an excellent addition to the company, doctor."

"Thank you!" With that, Aloysius backed out of the office, failing to notice the door was still shut.

-----

Though somewhat embarrassed now, the new surGEN was too excited to care that he had just run straight into a closed door. Walking through the hallways and out of the Operations Center, he fancied he could hear the other applicants envy of him as he beamed, half of him wanting to shout and jump for joy while the other half had its work cut out for it controlled himself.

Finally! Finally. After all those years in school, all those long hours pouring over books, memorizing names and numbers, symptoms and diseases, hours of dealing with an aching back as he had bent so carefully over bodies and microscopes… Finally, things were turning out for him.

He worked for the best company in the world. His future was secured. Surely, things could only get better from there.