To say that incident with the Dead Rat had left Jenny rather shaken would be quite the understatement. In fact following that “incident”, she found herself having trouble focusing on her work as the memory of that rat kept creeping up on her. It came as little surprise then, that at the end of the workday, she had accomplished little better than half of what she could normally do as she packed a few things and this time made sure to lock her office door before leaving. Before she could head out though, Emily turned up, a serious expression on her face.
“Jenny, a moment please.” She led her into another corridor where they were alone. “I got word from Kevin about this morning’s…”incident”…this morning. You are alright?”
“I will be.” Jenny replied, the most honest answer she could give.
“I see. Well they’ve already been made aware that if they’re caught pulling a stunt like that again, there will be serious repercussions for them.” She added, speaking of Jacob and Jason. “So if they do try it again, don’t hesitate to let me know of it.”
“Okay then, thanks.” Jenny said before leaving to get home and hopefully put this day behind her.
As Jenny left, Emily whispered something to herself. “I may not like it, the Serum. But I’m not you, and it really isn’t my business.”
[+]
Back at her and Clemens’ Apartment, Jenny noticed that he’d yet to return home. There wasn’t anything unusual about that since usually he worked longer and had further to travel. Putting her things away she started work on the day’s dinner, lamb this time, and as she got to work preparing it, was about able to put away the events of the day.
Until a small distraction reached her, the sound of the door opening signalling his return.
“Honey, I’m home!” She heard Clemens call out.
“In the kitchen!” She replied as she turned her attention back to the veg she had for herself. All able to fit into the one pan since she only needed them for herself.
Once he was in the kitchen with her, she was quick to wrap her arms under his opened shirt and pull him close, his warm scales comforting for her as she held it for some time.
Perhaps that’s what caught his attention as he then asked. “So how wasss work today?” The slight flinch he felt immediately signalling that something was wrong. “Jenny?”
“Sorry, there was something of an…incident…at work.” She admitted, his worried tone alerting her to the fact that she’d let something slip.
“Could you, tell me about it?”
“This morning.” She began, halting as she steeled herself for what she was going to say. “I found a package in my office, inside it, there was a, a dead rat.”
“What?” Clemens actually hissed that word out.
“Jason, one of the co-workers, did it. His idea of a joke.”
“Sssick idea of a joke if you asssk me.” He commented, not liking the idea at all.
“I know.” Jenny, despite it being sore to bring up, was starting to feel a little better now that she could say it. “You’d think people would’ve learned by now, after the whole Beauregard debacle and all that.”
“Well we’re not Germany, ssso learning from it isss a lot ssslower for usss.” Clemens noted.
“Sorry? But what?”
“You sssee. In Germany, there’sss remindersss of their dark passst, monumentsss, memorialsss, all to remember what they did, asss ssso to know not to repeat their passst crimesss. Thessse really don’t exxissst here, and asss sssuch, simply recalling the fact of what the original colonialssss did, the real reasssonsss behind the Cccivil War, the New Deal, sssome thingsss we did in World War Two.” Clemens provided his reason. “In sshhort, by not remembering our hissstory, we don’t learn from it, and end up repeating it. All that changesss are the targetsss.”
“And that’s why it needs more people like you.” Jenny commented, taking in the information
“And you asss well.” He returned softly. “Mint?” He asked to move the subject.
“Sorry?”
“I tasssted mint, in the lamb?”
“Yes, I thought we’d go with that today.” Jenny let out a weak chuckle, his topic shift really lightening things for her. “It should be ready in a couple of minutes.”
“Okay then, and try not to let it get to you. You’re better than them.” He added as he got his shirt and tie off.
“I know that.” Jenny smiled properly now, remembering that she did have friends in the workplace should they try something like that again.