A Story A Day. Story 332 of 365: Best (Part II).

A large resting room greeted them, certainly not what Ismene had expected. It was fully equipped, there were some mismatched sofas and armchairs, a couple of beanbags, a large fluffy carpet, a small library, and a TV. Dr. Shannon explained that sometimes young and old researchers needed a break from science, and that he had insisted to have a room like that in his lab. There also was a fully stocked kitchen, a bathroom with a shower, and a room with a couple of beds for those days when it was inevitable to stay long hours at the lab, not that he actually wanted it to happen. Ismene couldn't believe her eyes, or her ears, for the matter. Had she died and gone to paradise? Across the resting room there was a glass door with a fingerprint reader and a ringer on its side, she was about to enter into one of the most advanced bioengineering labs in the world, and, not only that, she was about to start working in it. She could feel her palms sweating as she was getting nervous. She wipped them on the back of her jeans, she could do it. Roger put his finger on the reader and yelled "Open sesame" as the doors opened. He gave Ismene a mischievous grin and whispered. 

-I just can't help myself. 

-Good morning, Roger.- a young man said from behind a desk. 

-Good morning, Nathan. This young lady is Dr. Argyris, but it might be easier for you to call her Ismene, if she's okay with that.- Ismene nodded in approval.- Nathan, here, takes care of basically everything, from mail, to finances, to receiving guests. I've always insisted on having him move closer to my office, but he says that he likes it better here. 

The desk was at one side of the door, facing the opposite wall where there was yet another couch, a coffee table, and a small coffee machine. That was certainly for the visits. Behind him there were a couple of cabinets for filing documents, Ismene pressumed. 

-Have you prepared the documents we need for Ismene?- Dr. Shannon asked. 

-Yes, Roger, they are on your desk.- Nathan winked at Ismene.  

The older man guided her through a corridor. There were windows side to side open to the laboratories, for what she could see there was plenty of space to work, as well as the latest technological equipment. There were small groups of people working on benches, and safety cabinets. The labs looked clean and new, Ismene was delighted. The labs gave way at some closed doors that were the offices for the different personnel working in the lab. At the end of it there was Dr. Shannon's office, it looked a bit like the resting room, and nothing like the office of a senior researcher. He had an old wooden desk, an upholstered armchair, and a pair of matching chairs on the other side of it. The wall behind it was just one large window facing the lake. Ismene could see some swimmers in it. 

-Do you want some coffee? Tea? Chocolate? Beer? I'm joking, I never serve beer before 5pm. 

Ismene smiled. The old man reminded her of her grandfather. Roger prepared her tea while he chatted about life in the lab. 

-I'll introduce you to everyone as soon as you have meet Dr. Goode. - he handed her a blue teacup.- Here, drink your tea while I go look for Dr. Goode. 

Ismene was left alone in the office. She approached to the window and saw that there was a lone swimmer going up and down the lake. Knowing that there were open waters to swim nearby gave her comfort. She started swimming as a kid, when she went to the island where her grandparents lived for the summer. She would spend the whole summer inside the water. Her love for swimming accompanied her throughout her life, and when she moved in there she had already accepted that she would need to swim in a swimming pool. She was already daydreaming of swimming in the lake when the door opened and Dr. Shannon and a middle aged woman entered. The other woman seemed energetic and firm. She would make Ismene work hard, but it would be worth it. 

-Dr. Argyris, let me introduce you Dr. Goode.- Roger said with a flourish. 

-It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Goode, I have read most of your work, if not all, it's fascinating. 

-Call me Martha,...- she trailed waiting for the younger woman. 

-Oh! Ismene. 

-That's an interesting name. I have also read your work, and your thesis. You have some really interesting ideas. 

The two women stood there in the office of Dr. Shannon, talking about their respective work for at least twenty minutes. The old doctor followed through, but he grew bored in the end, as they spoke too fast. 

-Enough chit-chat! Ismene must be itching to see the lab, and you will have all the time of the world to discuss your respective, and prospective, work in the weeks coming. Let's go. 

Without waiting for a reply he opened the door energetically and waited for the women to get out.