Super Science
Ch 11: Coworkers
"Okay, I'm sorry. Run this by me one more time?", Egon asked his employee as he took off his glasses to rub his eyes.
Sitting in front of the professor were two animals sitting in seperate and tall chairs. The first was a White Leghorn hen with a brain so massive it looked like it would belong to an overly sarcastic portrayal of a super evil genius. The second was a male Pacific Giant Octopus who looked normal but was holding itself up on its right tentacle, even its eye were far more expressive. Both animals were hooked up to a large machine that had something connected to their heads. According to Izuku, it was some kind of translator he made for them since they couldn't speak.
After taking a breath and putting his glasses back on, he laced his fingers, put his chin on them, and started, "You did experiments on animals."
"Yep.", Izuku replied.
"You used a chicken and octopus, respectively.", Egon continued.
"Yep.", Izuku confirmed.
"During which…they both gained human-level thought and understanding?", He motions to the two animals.
"They do.", Izuku admitted.
"And now they are looking for employment…here?", Egon asked while pointing to his desk with both hands.
"Yes yes, as if the boy just didn't get through explaining that the first time around.", Clucked Doctor Orpington through the translator.
"Hush! It's a lot to take in all at once.", Professor Cephalopod barked at her through the machine.
Egon looked at Izuku and told him, "I think I should start watching over your experiments."
Doctor Orpington squawked and argued, "If anything you should be giving him more freedom! Why is it just a month and a half, he managed to find out perhaps one of the many secrets to evolution and quirks as a whole!"
Egon sighs and tells her, "Normally I would be, and I should be. But I just can't get over…you two and your…desires?"
"What's so strange?", Professor Cephalopod asked back.
"You want to work. Here, for us, at this very facility?", Egon firmly asked them.
"We're we not clear?", Doctor Orpington asked back, a bit irritated.
Egon shakes his head and admits, "I just don't get it."
"What's not to get? You need workers and we want to work.", Professor Cephalopod argued.
"If anything, we crave it!", Doctor Orpington excitedly exclaimed.
"Yeah, but…your animals.", Egon begrudgingly told them.
"So are you.", Stated Professor Cephalopod.
Getting a bit irritated yet still holding his nerves he argues, "No, well yes, that's not what I'm trying to get at here! I'm just saying that it seems kind…cruel."
"How so?", Doctor Orpington asked.
Egon pushes away his hair, deep in thought before trying to explain, "Look, your animals so you don't have rights like we do. You're not like us."
"We think like you.", Professor Cephalopod states.
"That's different!", Egon yells while slamming his hand on his desk, finally losing his cool. Causing the two animals and teens to jump. Calming himself down and leaning back in his chair he takes a sip of his cold coffee before explaining, "Look, I don't wanna say no, but we as a species have had our higher intelligence for the past few hundred thousand years. You two gained it through external means just a few days ago. The rules aren't gonna just change for you two right away, trust me on that."
"What are you trying to say?", Inquisitively asked Professor Cephalopod.
Egon sighs, fearing having to explain this, and tells them, "We bought you, made you live here, and did experiments that heightened your awareness. We own you! And now you're saying you want to work for us? How am I supposed to pay you? Shrimp and corn? What would two animals, with no concept of money, even want with it? To me, it seems more like servitude, animal cruelty even! You'd have to live here full time and that just doesn't seem right."
"So you're concerned about the morality of the situation?", Professor Cephalopod inquired.
The two creatures looked at one another, smiled or something that resembled it, and Doctor Orpington spoke on behalf of both of them, "You truly are a good man, professor."
"Also, not sure if you're aware, but you two have stupidly short lifespans.", Egon admits to them with an uncomfortable expression on his face. "Doctor, you'll only live about ten years if you're lucky. And professor, you'll live for only half of that. And if you mate, forget it! Plus you both are already adults of your respective species, so you don't have much time.", He tells them in a serious tone.
Izuku spoke out once again and informed him, "Actually I did some tests and it turns out that in addition to their intelligence being more human, they also have life spans that are similar."
Egon blinks, his body posture becoming more calm as he says while pointing at the professor, "Well that solves that problem, but no sex for you!"
"I will restrain myself.", The professor agreed, doing a mock salute.
"As for our payment. Food and boarding are nice, but perhaps we can use the company funds for our interest from time to time?", Doctor Orpington offered.
Egon took out a paper and pen from his messy desk and writing it down he tells her, "That does sound like a good trade-off, but If you two want to buy something you'll have to bring it up with me first and I'll give the green or red light on it."
"That sounds perfectly fair.", She agrees alongside a nod from the professor.
Egon then looks up from his writing and tells them, "Just one other thing. Neither of you is a doctor or professor respectfully."
"Well you're not a professor, doctor Egon.", Professor Cephalopod gurgles a laugh while vexing him.
"Professor rolls off the tongue better.", Egon pouts before wiping a hand across his face and telling them, "Fine, fine, just do some online courses in your free time.", The two agree and Egon shakes a wing, and tentacle while saying, "Welcome to the team."
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