Now, Sheldon and Penny were seated together on a sage green sofa in a small meeting room off the main reception area. Their bags were sitting on an adjacent loveseat, and they each had a large plastic envelope in front of them on the coffee table, his dark red, hers blue. They had spent the majority of their day here, and the sun slanting in through the windows was the rosy gold of early evening.
"Well, you two are probably ready to get outta here, am I right? Well, we're almost done.", Guide Rossi was an attractive woman of about 50, her make-up soft and feminine, gold glinting at her ears, just visible through her frosted blonde hair. Penny would have like to smile politely at her, but she was all smiled out. She was tired of pretending this was all okay. So, they just stared at her and waited.
"Okay, then.", she smiled,"Now, in front of each of you, you have an orientation packet. Inside each, are SGC phone lists, current class schedules and some general information on what the Center does and what it can offer to both of you. There are also several handbooks to help you settle into your bond, and help you understand and work with your gifts. Your new identification cards are in there, as well as your Guide Driver's License, Penny, and your travel slips."
"Travel slips?", Penny asked.
"Yes. For your protection, Penny, Sentinel Cooper needs to aware of your movements, so if you need to travel without him, you just fill in the date and destination on your travel card, and he signs it. That way people will always know where you're supposed to be. Very safe."
"Well. That sounds just peachy.", Penny responded drily.
"You know, Penny, you might want to consider taking some of our orientation webinars. Just a few videos followed by short quizzes.", Guide Rossi's sweet face looked both friendly and concerned.
"Yeah, maybe I'll do that.", Penny said,"Are we done yet?"
"If all of this information is available online, what are we doing here?", Sheldon's voice rose in indignation. "We have wasted an entire day here, completely disrupting our live and my schedule just to sign a few papers and receive an information packet? It's completely ridiculous!"
"Yes, alright Sentinel Cooper. Just sign here to indicate that you have received the packets and you can go.", Guide Rossi rose, crossed over to the desk and picked up the phone. "Have someone come around to drive Sentinel Cooper home. Thank you."
"This is so pointless.", Sheldon grumbling while signing the form, after a quick glance to be sure of what he was signing.
"C'mon, Sheldon. Let's get out of here. I really can't stand it.", Penny replied, feeling suddenly empty and exhausted.
He looked over at her for, his eyes narrowed. "Well, you do look tired."
"I am tired, Sheldon.", she said, rising.
"Okay, Sentinel Cooper, a car should be around front for you any moment. Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything.", Guide Rossi paced to the door and held it open.
Without another word, Penny and Sheldon gathered their things and left.