Hamilton sat hunched over the telephone. A single table lamp cast a
dim glow over the clutter in his office. The day had gone by quickly. At
least Alexis finished that report Hamilton thought. He wiped his
perspiring brow with the back of his hand and drew a deep breath,
continuing on with the call.
"A dinner affair? I'm not sure fire codes would allow such a thi-" Hamilton was cut off.
"Please, do not worry yourself with anything, Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Ferriman and I are going to take care of everything. All you need to concern yourself with is the proposal for the restoration. We are counting on you. Good day."
Hamilton replaced the receiver and reclined in his old wooden chair; he began rubbing his temples to try to alleviate the headache that beginning to form. Leaning forward, he pressed the button on the intercom.
"Sylvia?"
There was a slight pause before he heard the high feminine voice reply, "Yes Mr. Hamilton?"
"Sylvia I need you to get Alexis back in here. Do you know where she is?"
"Uh," Sylvia paused and Hamilton could hear the rustling of papers, "I thought she said something about working in the library."
Cell phones are required to be shut off in the library, Hamilton thought. He did not want to go chasing through the museum and then try to hunt her down in the massive library.
"Sylvia, would you be a dear and please go fetch her for me?" he replied, trying his best to sound kindly and sweet.
"Mr. Hamilton, its seven o'clock! I'm done for the day." Hamilton could hear the annoyance in her voice.
"If you do this, I'll give you have a two hour lunch tomorrow."
"The extra hour will be paid also?"
"Sure, now will you go get Alexis?" annoyance edging his words.
"I'll be back in a bit." Hamilton could hear Sylvia's clicking heels grow fainter and fainter until the sound was gone completely.
Alexis sat cross-legged in an aisle at the back of the library. She liked the quiet. The section with information about cruise ships of the 1950s was indeed, quiet. Tucking her hair behind her ear, Alexis continued to read the book she had in front of her when a faint clicking resounded across the library. The annoying clicking grew louder until it stopped. Alexis looked up to see Sylvia.
"Hamilton wants you in his office." She stated.
"What did he offer you this time for tracking me down?" Alexis asked, closing the book and rising.
"A paid two hour lunch tomorrow." She answered smiling happily.
"Alright, I'll be there in a bit. I have to check out these books." Alexis bent down and picked up a stack of books almost knee-high.
"You don't mind if I don't walk with you back?" Sylvia asked, already knowing the answer.
"No, go ahead. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye." Sylvia waved.
After checking out, Alexis carefully made her way to Hamilton's office.
Unloading her pile onto the already-messy floor, she sat down on the chair across from Hamilton.
"Mr. Ferriman's assistant recently informed me the proposal this Saturday will be turned into a dinner affair; which means I need to create the presentation of a lifetime. How is your research coming?" At that, Hamilton peered over his desk to look at the stack of books.
"Oh it's coming nicely," Alexis clasped her hands tightly in her lap before going on. "Um...did you get a chance to read my paper yet?"
"Alexis, the paper is done and gone, old news. We need to focus on the present and the future. I need the report you're working on by Wednesday."
"Wednesday...that's tomorrow!" Alexis sputtered.
"Why, yes, you're right. I expect you should get to business. Have a pleasant evening." Hamilton grinned wickedly.
If this were a cartoon, steam would be pouring out of Alexis' ears. Grinding her teeth, she clumsily grabbed her pile of books and stormed out of the office. How dare him! I stayed up all night for him and he didn't even acknowledge the good job I did! What a lazy son of a bi- While venting inside her head Alexis failed to see a figure standing in her path. With his back towards her, she promptly rammed right into him. Gasping with surprise, she stumbled backwards and tipped over her own feet. Alexis fell to the hard marble floor; the books scattered all around her. Before she could move to get up, a hand was offered. Looking up she saw the smiling face of Jack Ferriman.
Completely and totally embarrassed, she managed to stammer an apology.
"Don't worry, when I hold a stack like that," Jack motioned to the books that littered the floor, "I never make my destination without tripping or dropping a book here or there."
Alexis flushed and bent down to collect the books. Jack gathered a good portion of them and asked if he could help her carry them to wherever she was going.
"Oh...I have a ways to go. I can handle it," Alexis said, motioning for Jack to throw the books he held on her stack. "I'm sure you have important business to get back to."
Not giving her the books back, Jack grinned, "Actually, you're my important business." He saw the look of confusion register on her face and he elaborated as they began walking out of the museum, "I have a confession to make."
"Really?" she answered slyly.
"I've been thinking about you."
Alexis smiled politely, trying her best not to turn as red as a tomato.
"What are you doing tonight?" Jack asked suddenly.
Caught off guard, Alexis didn't know how to respond. To buy herself some time she motioned for them to cross the street.
"Well?" Jack asked again and flashed on of his gorgeous smiles.
"Jack, I like you," she began, "But I don't think this would be a good idea since we are working together. Besides, I have to pull an all- nighter tonight for Hamilton. I'm sorry."
Not the one to give up so easily, he replied, "What if I didn't see you at work? Would that help? Then we would only be dating and not working together."
"There is still the little problem of this paper I have to write." Alexis sighed, she wanted to go on a date with Jack, but she couldn't risk losing her internship over a possible relationship with someone who would be leaving town in a few months.
"What do you need to write about?" he asked, looking like he had something up his sleeve.
"A thorough report on cruise ships of the 1950s, you know, for the presentation on Saturday. Hamilton wants to know everything- decorating, food served, utensils, paint, doorknobs, that kind of stuff." They stopped walking. "Here's my stop. Thanks for walking me home."
Jack looked at the UIC's dorm entrance and said, "What if you give me those books and I'll make my assistant write the report so you can go out with me."
Alexis laughed. "If Hamilton found out..."
"He wont. I promise, and if he does, I'll think of an excuse." Jack winked. "So can I pick you up in, lets say, an hour?"
She paused, thinking about the proposition and replied, "Sure, why not?"
Jack grinned and took the rest of the books, "Good, don't eat anything- I found a great restaurant uptown."
"Okay, I'll see you in a bit." Alexis waved goodbye and walked into the building.
Jack stood looking out the large window down at the busy street. Michael was sitting at the small kitchen table, looking at a bunch of papers that were scattered all around him.
"How is this going to work? How?" Michael looked up at Jack, exasperated.
"I like this room. It's big- a kitchen and everything." Jack said in a trance-like voice. He continued to stare out the window, but this time, not really seeing anything.
"Jack, what is your problem?" Michael asked, walking over to his 'partner'.
Without warning, Jack spun around and grabbed Michael by the neck. Anger and pure hatred was written on Jack's expression. Michael let out a yelp of surprise before he realized that he too had supernatural strength. Gripping Jack's arm, Michael ripped Jack's hand away from his neck.
Smiling viciously Michael declared, "I can't die remember? I've had enough so drop the 'I'm-the-living-dead-you-cant-kill-me' act." Michael turned and walked slowly back to the table.
Jack's eyes flashed and he turned back to the window, "I have everything under control."
"A dinner affair? I'm not sure fire codes would allow such a thi-" Hamilton was cut off.
"Please, do not worry yourself with anything, Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Ferriman and I are going to take care of everything. All you need to concern yourself with is the proposal for the restoration. We are counting on you. Good day."
Hamilton replaced the receiver and reclined in his old wooden chair; he began rubbing his temples to try to alleviate the headache that beginning to form. Leaning forward, he pressed the button on the intercom.
"Sylvia?"
There was a slight pause before he heard the high feminine voice reply, "Yes Mr. Hamilton?"
"Sylvia I need you to get Alexis back in here. Do you know where she is?"
"Uh," Sylvia paused and Hamilton could hear the rustling of papers, "I thought she said something about working in the library."
Cell phones are required to be shut off in the library, Hamilton thought. He did not want to go chasing through the museum and then try to hunt her down in the massive library.
"Sylvia, would you be a dear and please go fetch her for me?" he replied, trying his best to sound kindly and sweet.
"Mr. Hamilton, its seven o'clock! I'm done for the day." Hamilton could hear the annoyance in her voice.
"If you do this, I'll give you have a two hour lunch tomorrow."
"The extra hour will be paid also?"
"Sure, now will you go get Alexis?" annoyance edging his words.
"I'll be back in a bit." Hamilton could hear Sylvia's clicking heels grow fainter and fainter until the sound was gone completely.
Alexis sat cross-legged in an aisle at the back of the library. She liked the quiet. The section with information about cruise ships of the 1950s was indeed, quiet. Tucking her hair behind her ear, Alexis continued to read the book she had in front of her when a faint clicking resounded across the library. The annoying clicking grew louder until it stopped. Alexis looked up to see Sylvia.
"Hamilton wants you in his office." She stated.
"What did he offer you this time for tracking me down?" Alexis asked, closing the book and rising.
"A paid two hour lunch tomorrow." She answered smiling happily.
"Alright, I'll be there in a bit. I have to check out these books." Alexis bent down and picked up a stack of books almost knee-high.
"You don't mind if I don't walk with you back?" Sylvia asked, already knowing the answer.
"No, go ahead. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye." Sylvia waved.
After checking out, Alexis carefully made her way to Hamilton's office.
Unloading her pile onto the already-messy floor, she sat down on the chair across from Hamilton.
"Mr. Ferriman's assistant recently informed me the proposal this Saturday will be turned into a dinner affair; which means I need to create the presentation of a lifetime. How is your research coming?" At that, Hamilton peered over his desk to look at the stack of books.
"Oh it's coming nicely," Alexis clasped her hands tightly in her lap before going on. "Um...did you get a chance to read my paper yet?"
"Alexis, the paper is done and gone, old news. We need to focus on the present and the future. I need the report you're working on by Wednesday."
"Wednesday...that's tomorrow!" Alexis sputtered.
"Why, yes, you're right. I expect you should get to business. Have a pleasant evening." Hamilton grinned wickedly.
If this were a cartoon, steam would be pouring out of Alexis' ears. Grinding her teeth, she clumsily grabbed her pile of books and stormed out of the office. How dare him! I stayed up all night for him and he didn't even acknowledge the good job I did! What a lazy son of a bi- While venting inside her head Alexis failed to see a figure standing in her path. With his back towards her, she promptly rammed right into him. Gasping with surprise, she stumbled backwards and tipped over her own feet. Alexis fell to the hard marble floor; the books scattered all around her. Before she could move to get up, a hand was offered. Looking up she saw the smiling face of Jack Ferriman.
Completely and totally embarrassed, she managed to stammer an apology.
"Don't worry, when I hold a stack like that," Jack motioned to the books that littered the floor, "I never make my destination without tripping or dropping a book here or there."
Alexis flushed and bent down to collect the books. Jack gathered a good portion of them and asked if he could help her carry them to wherever she was going.
"Oh...I have a ways to go. I can handle it," Alexis said, motioning for Jack to throw the books he held on her stack. "I'm sure you have important business to get back to."
Not giving her the books back, Jack grinned, "Actually, you're my important business." He saw the look of confusion register on her face and he elaborated as they began walking out of the museum, "I have a confession to make."
"Really?" she answered slyly.
"I've been thinking about you."
Alexis smiled politely, trying her best not to turn as red as a tomato.
"What are you doing tonight?" Jack asked suddenly.
Caught off guard, Alexis didn't know how to respond. To buy herself some time she motioned for them to cross the street.
"Well?" Jack asked again and flashed on of his gorgeous smiles.
"Jack, I like you," she began, "But I don't think this would be a good idea since we are working together. Besides, I have to pull an all- nighter tonight for Hamilton. I'm sorry."
Not the one to give up so easily, he replied, "What if I didn't see you at work? Would that help? Then we would only be dating and not working together."
"There is still the little problem of this paper I have to write." Alexis sighed, she wanted to go on a date with Jack, but she couldn't risk losing her internship over a possible relationship with someone who would be leaving town in a few months.
"What do you need to write about?" he asked, looking like he had something up his sleeve.
"A thorough report on cruise ships of the 1950s, you know, for the presentation on Saturday. Hamilton wants to know everything- decorating, food served, utensils, paint, doorknobs, that kind of stuff." They stopped walking. "Here's my stop. Thanks for walking me home."
Jack looked at the UIC's dorm entrance and said, "What if you give me those books and I'll make my assistant write the report so you can go out with me."
Alexis laughed. "If Hamilton found out..."
"He wont. I promise, and if he does, I'll think of an excuse." Jack winked. "So can I pick you up in, lets say, an hour?"
She paused, thinking about the proposition and replied, "Sure, why not?"
Jack grinned and took the rest of the books, "Good, don't eat anything- I found a great restaurant uptown."
"Okay, I'll see you in a bit." Alexis waved goodbye and walked into the building.
Jack stood looking out the large window down at the busy street. Michael was sitting at the small kitchen table, looking at a bunch of papers that were scattered all around him.
"How is this going to work? How?" Michael looked up at Jack, exasperated.
"I like this room. It's big- a kitchen and everything." Jack said in a trance-like voice. He continued to stare out the window, but this time, not really seeing anything.
"Jack, what is your problem?" Michael asked, walking over to his 'partner'.
Without warning, Jack spun around and grabbed Michael by the neck. Anger and pure hatred was written on Jack's expression. Michael let out a yelp of surprise before he realized that he too had supernatural strength. Gripping Jack's arm, Michael ripped Jack's hand away from his neck.
Smiling viciously Michael declared, "I can't die remember? I've had enough so drop the 'I'm-the-living-dead-you-cant-kill-me' act." Michael turned and walked slowly back to the table.
Jack's eyes flashed and he turned back to the window, "I have everything under control."