COUNTING DOWN THE YEARS

What's that sound monkeys make while throwing a tantrum? Try it, surely it's exciting when in a zoo playing with one behind a glass door, isn't it? There is one in diapers making those noises and throwing things around. I had to duck because a can of I don't know what, wait lemme me read this, 'Kunali milk formula ' was thrown right at my face. My camera man got hit instead. I didn't turn around to look at him for embarrassment of not warning him. I only heard a faint, 'ouch! ' I hope he didn't break anything. Cause that will be on me.  "Excuse me, um... " I trail of waiting for a name from this doctor that reminds me of Bigfoot.  Let's just say he has really bushy eyebrows and the moustache.  "Dr. McGuire. " He croaks away.  Ah! The enthusiasm.  "Dr. McGuire, sorry to bother you. My name is Annie from Repot Media.  I see you are busy and that's why I'll take a little of your time. Just a little you'll barely remember I was even here. " I pause and glance at the monkey which is listening to me halting halfway from throwing a toilet roll. "I just have a few questions if you don't mind. "  " Hi, Annie . Sorry about Marcus. He can be a real pain without his mood stabilizers. I also didn't expect you to walk in through the back door... " He raises a thick brow in question.  I dart my eyes across the laboratory. I haven't always liked them ever since my days in high school where I was so prone to accidents during practical sessions. The long black and white table tops and sinks. Huge freezer looking things. Some machines that look like washing machines. That high backed up against the wall wooden rack thing where countless white mice are caged in . They have so many mice . Do they need all that? Poor cute little animals!  "Miss Annie? " Dr McGuire enquires.  "Uh, yeah. " I reply awkwardly feeling ashamed for getting easily distracted.  Him and my camera guy Drew both chuckle lightly. I wonder what could be funny.  "I said this way, to my office. And that I'll only give five minutes . It's a busy one, today. " Dr McGuire says with a tight lipped smile.  Oh, I know how to give those too.  "That'll be great thank you. " I say happily because I'm being the bigger person here.  Five minutes is all I need actually.  "Miss Tove, mind watching Marcus for a minute? He's going without mood stabilizers today. I need you to watch his responses to all these. Then write your remarks down here. " He explains clipboard and pen in hand to some lady wearing a bright yellow lab coat. She's the only one as the rest are in white. I don't know what she's trying to say but I guess it's her business. Minding my own...  He then motions for me and Drew to follow him. We walk slowly behind him taking in the tech in this laboratory. I must say, it is one advanced laboratory. We pass by a working table which is lined with cardboard along it's perimeter. There is a tiny metallic robot inside moving about. Several people in white lab coats are surrounding the table watching the robot and taking down notes. There is another table in front of that one, a smaller one, with many computers where from two guys are watching it intently. The computers have those weird lines you see on a heart monitor or a lie detector, definitely a lie detector. A lot of lines. They all seem to be in awe.  Drew and I exchange glances. Scientists are so weird, why would they be playing with robots? Isaac Newton didn't need any computer to discover gravity now did he!  "Newest study, " Dr McGuire turns to face us then the very 'interesting table ' for a second, "They are using live rodent brain cells to control the robot. You won't believe the power of brain cells. " He turns halfway around and looks at us with a slight smile. We don't get it but it's cool.  We also smile back lightly. He then reaches for a door handle and opens the door written in gold on a black pallet 'Dr McGuire ' . Fancy! We get in and settle on the two comfy leather  chairs in front of his desk. His chair looks fancier. It were mine, I would not leave my office until it got old or exploded. Chairs could explode people. They are mysterious like that!  I have my notepad and pen ready to take down some important notes in case he doesn't want the camera on. Drew and I exchange looks as he plops his quite heavy body on his fancy chair and visibly bounces. He leans against it resting one arm on the rest and the other idly scratching his moustache. Must really love that moustache! He looks so serious it's intimidating. And something tells me he likes it.  "So what's that you wanted to know miss Annie? "Dr McGuire asks leaning forward now fingers crossed over the office desk. Perfect manicure I say. Spa day really paid off for this guy.  "Um, yes. There has been reports of some illegal experiments on humans going on in this lab. Something about a time machine which people are taken into the past or the future. So far, there isn't anyone to claim they must have time travelled. " I pause and glance over at Drew who is busy capturing the interview, good, "So my question is, should we let this one rest and dismiss it as rumors or are you going to take us to the now famous 'Basement section 17 which a former employee leaked peeks of the said room. It looked believable to me. You know, the theory. " I finish eagerly waiting for his remarks to that.  He takes a second to process everything just blinking. Then he speaks.  "You are talking to the wrong guy. I'm just a behaviorist. You caught me babysitting a monkey earlier, didn't you? " Dr McGuire's reply comes in that manner.  Clever bastard! I'm trying to pin something on this man! So why not let me hang you like a wet cloth out there to dry and air.  "You must at least know about the basement section 17 then? It's a huge building, but you would know the different departments or sections, am I right? " I press trying to get something.  "Like you said, the building is so huge. " Is all I get.  Dammit! I hate smart people.  "So I take it from your avoiding my question there is something worth hiding in here? With machines lately threatening human civilization I think you scientists should know better than to create more . We have a few days left of which if our president wouldn't have stepped down, machines attack our country to overthrow the government. Think of this, your machine could help save millions of lives. " I say surprising myself too for getting excited at the end.  "Thank you for coming miss Annie but I believe your five minutes are up. Like I've said before, it's a busy day. Use the right door this time. " Dr McGuire says dismissively with a forced smile.  Well since we sneaked in, in the first place, we decide to be honorable people and leave before security is called on us. I'm disappointed though, because we didn't get anything from Dr McGuire. I hope those machines were kidding and that there is no AI apocalypse.  But then they weren't because they issued a strong warning. Some Repot Media journalist aired the warning. I was home at the time. A glass of white wine in hand my back leaned against a fluffy pillow. Generally in a relaxed mood not worrying about work. After that stupid warning by an AI through get this, a live interview, I get a phone call.  Now the boss wants everything there is to grasp about the particular AI which looked like just you and me. And a busy week we got. Since then it's stressful. The boss being the crafty douche that he is took the moment to promise promotions to anyone with any catchy breaking news.  Turned the place into a zoo. Everyone tries to get the breaking news of the year. Everyone crossing boundaries and breaking laws. Isn't this typical wild life. Lions wanting to be kings and to prove that eat all the antelopes and buffalos or wild beasts don't birth anymore so hunting is harder for lions.  Hares thinking themselves too smart and that they'll get the answers but aren't they always too lazy for anything. It just doesn't go away. Some are tortoise who go easy on everything but maybe easy is not what everything needs.  In short, we are all desperate. For me, a promotion means more salary and I could really use some salary increment. Bills are more and more with each passing day that make me regret growing up. Sadly I can't help it. No one can. But getting a promotion I can. So I have to try. Breaking and entering isn't my brightest idea but is me trying.  I drag my camera guy into this but he'll thank me later if this works. Win - win . Everyone goes home with a smile on their faces. Or so I think. I hope it's not just wishful.