She knew there wasn't a choice now. She had to call work and apologize for not being there at all this week. After the phone call was made, and an irate boss told her he wasn't going to give her a free ride after this but wished her well anyway, Mary slumped back into the couch. She realized there was nothing more to do but wait and see if she continued to change.
Throughout the day, Mary noticed nothing different. She was, however, beginning to find life as a shut-in wasn't as enjoyable as it seemed. She had already paid her bills, ballanced her checkbook, read a few chapters in a dull romance novel and made lunch. Now she was totally bored.
Salvation came, however, when she got a phone call from Sally, her older sister. Sally was only older by a year, but Mary had always felt like she was far superior to her. Sally had a well-paying job for a housing realtor and was living happily with her husband and daughter, while Mary was stuck making close to minimum wage at a small accounting firm. The work was tedious, but she had hopes she could move up the ladder eventually.
Sally explained that her husband had taken her daughter to the Grand Canyon for a couple days but she had to stay at home because she hadn't gotten the time off work. At least Mary got lucky in that respect. The sisters chatted for some time, both explaining why they were bored and what they had tried to do to pass the time. (Mary made the excuse that she had a stomach virus.) Eventually, Mary's eyes fell upon the box of vials and a sinister smile crept onto her face.