The tick of the clock on the wall cut through the otherwise overwhelming silence. In some ways the clock enhanced the silence as a constant ticking reminder. Collin sat in the waiting room with six other desperate individuals that were dressed frustratingly better than he was. His comrades. These men and women understood the struggle, but for that same reason, none of them spoke to one another. Instead, they all gave each other the respect of silence. Like them all, Collin prepared himself for what was to come. They would call him in and he’d plaster a smile on his face, ready to kiss as much hindquarters as was necessary to get his next low brow gig.


    “Collin.” The secretary called.


    Collin stood with all the gratitude in the world that he was first and plastered on a hopeful smile. “That’s me.”


    The secretary nodded and scratched something off on the clipboard she was holding. “Miss Brandish will see you now. Room 207.”


    Collin followed the echoes of the hall to the last door on the left. An unassuming door that wasn’t even thick enough to muffle the clicking of a pen coming from the other side.


    Collin wiped the sweat from his hands on the backside of his slacks, turned the polished doorknob and stepped inside.


    “Collin, it’s good to see you again,” Miss Brandish said, standing up from her desk and smiling. She motioned to the chair on the other side of her desk. “Please sit. How is the family?”


    Collin nodded politely back to Miss Brandish and sat down, worried about the way she was acting. She was usually more intimidating than kind. Something told Collin to brace himself for the worst. “There isn’t anything left for me, is there?”


    Miss Brandish looked away and winced. She sat down and leaned her elbows on the desk with her fingers interlaced. “Straight to business as usual I see. I’ll cut to the chase too, then. I’ve got nothing for you.”


    “Nothing at all?” Collin gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.


    “Look, Collin, with your criminal background, you were lucky to get the last job. That was your last real chance. There’s nothing left for you that I can professionally recommend.”


    Collin ran his fingers through his hair and thought about his wife and daughter. He couldn’t pick up and start over again. This was his fault, not theirs. His wife and daughter deserved a stable life. Collin would do anything to make that happen. “What about the ones that you can’t professionally recommend?”This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Miss Brandish raised an eyebrow at Collin, “Like I said, it’s not something that I feel right about bringing up.”


    Collin sighed, “At this point, it doesn’t have to feel right as long as it puts bread on the table.”


    “Even so, this may be something you come to regret.”


    “Look, I’m desperate.” Collin met her eyes and held her gaze until he was sure she knew he was being sincere. “As long as it’s not illegal or life threatening, I’m willing to do anything to feed my family. Hell, at this point, I might even be talked into lower standards than that.”


    “Not illegal and not life threatening pretty much strikes out the entire list of non-recommendable jobs.” Miss Brandish pursed her lips, “Except for one.”


    Collin sat up straighter and scooted forward at the mention of a chance. “Name it, I’m there.”


    “Listen to what it is before you make up your mind.” Miss Brandish held up a hand and gave Collin a pointed look. “There’s a scientist doing experiments and he needs volunteers.”


    “What kind of volunteers?” Collin’s eyebrows creased.


    “The kind that doesn’t wear a lab coat.” Miss Brandish let out a soft laugh to herself. “To tell the truth, I don’t know any real details. I was just told by my contact that this client is a biologist doing experiments and he needs volunteers who are desperate.”


    “Why only desperate people?” Collin knew desperate people worked harder, but that didn’t make them the perfect soldier.


    Miss Brandish shook her head. “I’m curious too, but I’ve already told you everything I know other than the application process. Are you still interested in applying?”


    A biologist looking for desperate volunteers. There were only a handful of conclusions Collin could imagine about what this job would entail, but as long as it didn’t leave him permanently scarred and he was able support his family, he really didn’t care. Collin only hesitated for a moment. “I’m in. Where do I sign?”


    “You don’t.” Miss Brandish cleared her throat and pulled out a syringe, a glass vial, and a slip of paper with three blank lines. “I know it’s strange, but this is the application. Fill out your direct deposit information and address, then put a sample of your blood into the vial. You will receive your first payment after I mail this in. A deposit of five thousand dollars will appear in your account a week from now for just applying.”


    “Five thousand?!” Collin’s eyes bulged. That could get him caught up and pay his mortgage for several months. That was a life changing amount of money. “And I don’t even have to talk to anyone?”


    Miss Brandish nodded, “That’s correct. Beyond that, I don’t know what happens. I have gotten zero feedback from anyone who has applied, but I assume that is due to some kind of non-disclosure agreement if you move forward. Also, If anyone asks who referred you, don’t tell them it was me, let them know it was a man named ‘Frank Sycota’. If anyone asks, I will deny any and all involvement. As far as I’m concerned, I turned you away today without helping you at all.”


    Collin shrugged and filled out the paper, then picked up the syringe. He hesitated only a moment before reminding himself that this blood sample was worth Five thousand dollars. He shrugged and pricked his forearm with the syringe and filled the vial. No going back now.