Making Progress Part II [Lexy]

[Dr. Alana Carson]

This takes place on Saturday, May 26th, 2012.

The problem Alana had run into while working for an agency like Operation Patriot was that doing research for them left her no time to work on her own personal research. It had been two months since she started searching for candidates for her study, and finally—thanks to some problem solving and time management on her part—the doctor had scheduled some interviews. The list of people that responded to her ads had been complied some time ago, and she waited quite impatiently that length of time to contact them. To her fortune, several people were still interested.

One gentleman had promptly replied to the e-mail she sent out, and an interview was scheduled. The geneticist had arrived at the café precisely at 12:30 pm, early enough so that she could compile everything she needed for the meeting, but not so early that she would be wasting her time waiting for the young man she was scheduled to meet. As long as he wasn’t absurdly late, she would be fine.

Alana settled down at a small table near the back of the Kafe. In front of her she placed a small pile of papers. It included everything she would need for the meeting: an information sheet explaining the study and its goals, a consent form, some paperwork for her interviewee to fill out, and her sheet of interview questions. Next to her neat little stack was a cup a tea which she quickly emptied. She had long since decided that if she was going to interview someone in a cafe, she might as well make herself comfortable, and had ordered the drink shortly after her arrival.

Everything was prepared, all that was left was to wait for this Alexander McKenzie to show himself.

[Alexander McKenzie]

Alex prided himself on being on time, no matter the occasion. The only time he’d come close to being heinously late was right after last year’s dance at Hammel, when he’d been punched in the face and left with a fantastic black eye. He’d purposely cut it close on getting to work, mostly to avoid his boss a) catching him, and b) teasing him.

Sadly, it hadn’t worked. Kali had caught him, and given him the third degree.

For this meeting, he’d definitely wanted to be on time. He’d also spent a nice chunk of time on getting ready, because even if it wasn’t for a job, it was still an interview. He wanted to make a good impression, and it was hard enough to do that when so many people judged on looks alone. He’d made a somewhat conscious effort to wear long sleeves, but his earrings still showed, as did one tattoo that crept higher up his neck. He’d considered taking out his lip ring, but in the end had decided against it. If nothing else, it was something to discreetly play with during the process. He’d also worn his glasses instead of contacts, for the sole purpose of having something else to fiddle with. (No, it wasn’t to look grown up. What are you talking about?)

Just before one, Alex walked through the doors of Kali’s, smiling at the familiar guitar riff. After a quick glance around the Kafe, he thought he knew he was there to meet. There was a woman with papers on the table who looked professional enough. (Now who was judging on appearances, Alex?)

He headed over, pausing by the table. Yes, she had to be the right person. “Dr. Carson? I’m Alexander. It’s nice to meet you.” He extended his hand, hoping that he could get this off to the right start, and that he could be of some help to her project.

[Dr. Alana Carson]

Alana had not been actively looking for the young man, leaving it up to him to pick her out of the crowd. The doctor looked up when he finally addressed her, taking in his appearance with a look of impatience. She seemed not to mind that he had arrived on time; she was tired of waiting, and content to blame him for taking so long getting there.

Alex's efforts to appear professional were almost entirely wasted. He was dressed well enough, certainly, but she did sneer ever so slightly as her eyes followed the tattoo up his neck and fell upon his facial piercings. This did not stop her from taking his hand, but she only brushed it with the tips of her fingers instead of giving him a proper handshake, as if trying to avoid touching him at all.

The sneer was quickly suppressed by a forced, polite smile as she replied, “Charmed. Yes, I am Dr. Carson. Please take a seat, Mr. McKenzie.” Alana quickly gestured to the chair on the opposite side of the table, then pulled a packet of paper from the bottom of the pile in front of her, picked up her pen, and quickly scribbled a few notes in a near-illegible scrawl. Thoughts recorded, she grabbed a few sheets off the top of the pile and slid them across the table. It was another few moments before she said anything about the papers as she looked over what she had written and made a few additions. “Ah, yes. Please don’t mind my note taking, it’s all part of the research,” she excused herself.

With a short cough, she continued. “Now, before we get started, I need you to read over those documents and sign and date on the lines where indicated. You’ll see on the second page that there is also a set of points that you need to read carefully and initial. They are consent and privacy forms, all quite standard for this type of research. Once you’ve finished going over them we can start the actual interview.” She picked up a second pen and held it out to him, quite reluctant to share the one she was already using. “Here is a pen if you need it.”

[Alexander McKenzie]

It hadn’t been difficult to spot the doctor, considering that not many people not conducting some sort of interview would tote around so much paper. Then again, he’d done it every so often on his breaks at the Kafe, doing homework. But that usually entailed use of a textbook as well.

Perceptive as he usually was, he did catch the small sneer. He tried not to let it bother him. Water off his back, as his parents used to tell him. Though their teachings hadn’t been about his artwork, it had been about something else. He just offered a pleasant smile as she touched his hand. All he had to do was keep being polite and friendly, and perhaps she’d come around. He was helping her, after all.

He settled into the seat across from her, hands folded neatly in his lap. He still didn’t know what to expect from this. Connie had told him to be leery, and if anything seemed out of place, to just feign a phone call and excuse himself. Consider Conrad did research for a living, he’d probably be able to tell over the phone if something was fishy. Alex had faith, though, and assured his housemate he’d be fine. He was a big boy, and could look out for himself.

“Of course,” he responded lightly to her quip about the notes. It didn’t bother him. Once she was done and addressing him again, he pulled the sheets a bit closer so he could read over, and took the pen with a grateful “thank you.” It didn’t take him long, even with reviewing it as carefully as possible. Nothing jumped out as out of sorts, so he signed off on the full sheet, as well as the points on the second one.

“I’m finished,” he said calmly, picking up the papers and lining them up neatly before handing them back to her. With that, his hands went back into his lap. “What would you like to know?” It would be interesting, explaining details of being meta to someone who... well, he didn’t think she was meta. Either way, this would be interesting, and he was willing to help any way he could.