by Kevin Guest
Introducing Reindeer Manor
Finally, after months of waiting, painstaking meetings, and hours of technical study, the first week in March had arrived. Anderson had been in his office for nearly an hour. He graded papers, drank several cups of coffee, and even stared out the window. He was anxious to go. Why aren’t they here? he thought to himself. It’s almost nine. Though he was early, he was hoping they would be, too.
At 8:45, two white Ford Explorers pulled up in the parking lot. Dr. Anderson grabbed his cane and walked downstairs. He found the two drivers leaning up against the back, telling jokes. He walked up to them in anger. “What are you waiting for? Go up to my office, room 212, and bring down all the cases and my luggage.”
The men looked at him and rolled their eyes. They knew the type of man he was, demanding and cheap. They mumbled something Spanish before heading into the building.
Anderson stood there, impatiently watching and yelling at the men to be careful but hurry up. After the men loaded the vehicles, on Anderson’s command, they started the engines. “Please cool down the interior.”
At 8:58 a.m., a small purple Chevrolet pulled up. Amy, the medium, stepped out of the vehicle, retrieved a bag, and then walked over.
Anderson smiled at her. “Thank you for being on time.”
She did not know what to say to him. She felt as if she was going to a funeral. She managed a half-cocked smiled, then got into one of the cars. Anderson did not even have to tell her which one she was riding in.
A moment later, Mary arrived. She placed her bag in the vehicle with Anderson’s equipment, then stood by the professor’s side and made small talk.
Two cars then drove into the parking lot simultaneously. The first one to park was a black BMW with a sorority bumper sticker. Jessie, the observer, stepped out of the car. She seemed less than pleased that this was how she was going to spend her spring break, as she sighed upon seeing the professor. The past few months had become difficult and though her family was wealthy, her father had a bit of a temper when she overspent her allowance. To her, this was a kind of self-imposed punishment.
Anderson and Mary watched as she removed her luggage from the trunk. Her suitcase was as opulent as her car. Mary stared at her; her attire was not from a low-end store. Jessie placed her bag in the same car as Amy, at the direction of Anderson. She then joined Amy. “Ugh, can you believe we have to ride in this?”
Amy just smiled at her, feeling sorry for the family life this woman endured. The facade she put on was as thin as an egg shell.
The final car, a beat-up old Dodge, parked as the tailpipe let out a final explosion. Jessie looked at Amy and curled her lip. “Don’t tell me; the person in that car is joining us.” Again, Amy looked at Jessie with sadness.
Mary watched as Anderson walked over to him. “Dr. Fletcher, it’s good to see you again!”
“Early morning,” he grunted.
Anderson was not enthused by Fletcher’s demeanor. “Ok, well, you will be riding with the other assistants.”
Fletcher sighed, then walked toward the vehicle with Amy and Jessie. Jessie rolled her eyes. “Oh…my...God.”
After Fletcher climbed into the front passenger seat, Anderson opened the door closest to Jessie. “Ok, thank you all for coming. If I am right, you’re in for a week that will change the rest of your life!” Without taking a single question, he shut the door and walked to the first car. Fletcher thought it was rude of him not to allow time for questions. Jessie thought it was rude that she had to ride with Fletcher.
