21: Morning at the Office
Big sits at his desk, typing up a complaint. On the floor next to his desk lies Froggy's bed—a small green bed for miniature dogs—where Froggy slumbers. On the other side of Big's desk stands Sonic's office door. Sonic is behind this closed door, preparing for the day's first session. With the three of them in their proper places, everything is almost as it should be for the first work hour of the day. However, a fox cub sits on one of the waiting chairs, and—being neither a waiting patient nor someone waiting to collect a patient from a finished session—he does not belong in the office. Yet there he sits, legs swinging back and forth as he happily stares at Sonic's door.
Big gives Tails a burning glare before turning his gaze back to his monitor's screen. I simply cannot be expected to and should not have to work under such circumstances, Big types.
"Whatcha doing?"
Big's hands freeze and he looks at Tails. "Work," he gruffly says before returning to his complaint.
"Can I help?"
Big types faster and his keystrokes grow louder. "No."
Tails remains silent for the next few minutes, and Big completes his task with no more interruptions. He saves his file and then closes out of the word processor.
Finished, he looks down at Froggy and smiles. He then looks at Tails and frowns. "Shouldn't you be in school," he asks, though not from concern.
Tails, still swinging his legs, shakes his head. "Sonic said I don't have to go back for my doctorate until I'm ready."
Big's eyes narrow. "Excuses," he mutters.
"I heard that," Tails says. His legs stop swinging, and he levels Big with a firm stare. "I already apologized. What else do you want me to do?"
Big points to the exit. "Leave."
Tails, smiling, looks back at Sonic's door. "Nope." His legs return to their swinging.
Determined, Big reopens the word processor and prints his complaint.