*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* A pretty brunette reached over and turned off her alarm clock, which showed it was 6:00 a.m. on Earth. She rolled herself out of bed and shuffled into the bathroom, where she met her younger sister. “Morning, `Dro.”
“Morning, Cass.”
“Excited about your internship at McClawsic Enterprises?”
“Yea, I guess.”
“You don’t sound too excited...”
“Yea, well you wouldn’t be if you had to be there 7:30 each morning.”
Andromeda Karr started brushing her teeth as she heard their mom call, “Andromeda! Cassiopeia! Breakfast!”
Andromeda spat her toothpaste out and went down, saying, “I’ll pick up something at the office. I’m sure Mr. McClawsic could get me something.”
“Okay. Have fun!” She left and headed for the first day on the job.
She was greeted by Mr. McClawsic himself. "Andromeda Karr! Its a pleasure to see you again!" She got out of the car and shook the man's extended hand, grimacing in her mind. This man was a little bit too sugary-sweet for her likings, but 'Dro would get used to him. "Have you had breakfast?"
"No..."
"Great! There's a buffet for all the interns who are starting today set up in the conference room. You’ll start work at 7:30 each day just like I said but today you’ll take an hour or so and get to know the interns in the other departments." They came upon the conference room and he said, "I have a special assignment for you, being my direct intern. Meet me in my office in an hour and a half."
"Okay..."
"That's my girl..."
Andromeda picked out things for her breakfast and saw a group of interns sitting near her. "Hey," she said, "Could I sit here?" One of the girls, whose mouth was full, nodded and scooted over.
"My name's Angela from Customs. This is Drew from Sales, Sam from Marketing, and Michelle from Advertising. Who do you work under?"
"Actually, I work under Mr. McClawsic himself. My name's Andromeda."
"Really? What do you think of it?" Drew asked.
"Well," she said, "I don't really mind it, but Mr. McClawsic is too nice for me. Makes me think something's up."
"Odd."
The small group continued to talk until Michelle mentioned something about a concert to be given by Microbe up in the Space Station. "What?"
"Mr. McClawsic; he owns that space station; wanted to give a concert celebrating the new purchase of it, with the bankruptcy of WyndCom and all. Microbe agreed to do it and Mr. McC wants to send one of his interns out to it to assist Microbe in whatever they need. Wouldn’t it be cool to be the one chosen?”
Andromeda snorted and said, “Whatever...”
“What? Don’t you like them?” ‘They’re okay and all, but my sister, Cassiopeia, is OBSESSED with them. Especially their front man, Proto Zoa. Its Proto Zoa day in and day out.”
“Yea,” Sam said. “I guess it would get pretty annoying. What’s up with your names? Are your parents from the space station or something?”
“They were, but they moved down about 25 years ago, before I was born. My cousin, Zenon, lives up in the station.”
“Oh...”
`Dro checked her watch and said, “Sorry I have to eat and run...I have to meet McC up in his office in 5 minutes. I know I’ll arrive fashionably late.” The girl got up and jogged off, waving good-bye to her friends.
Amazingly, she found the office 5 minutes later, on the top floor. She knocked and heard a voice say, “Come in!” She opened the door and heard him say, “Andromeda! Welcome!! Have a seat.” Doing as her boss said so, she listened. “I’m sure you’ve heard about that little concert by Microbe up at the space station.” The girl nodded her head as her boss continued, “I’m sending one of my interns out to space with them in order for their stay to be more comfortable. Would you do it?” Andromeda sat back and thought for a second.
“Yea, sure. Why not? Its my job, right?” Mr. McClawsic smiled and looked up when the door opened.
“And here they are now...” He diverted his attention up to the newcomers. “Proto Zoa, this is going to be your assistant Andromeda. Andromeda, this is Proto Zoa, the person whom you will be mainly helping.”
She stood up and said, “Its nice to meet you, Mr. Zoa.”
“Please,” he said, his British accent coming through loud and clear, “Just call me Zoa.” He came over and threw his arms around her, greeting her. She did the same thing and when he pulled back, he introduced her to the guys of Microbe.
When she heard Mr. McClawsic’s voice she turned around and said, “You will be leaving with the guys tonight around 8:00. Now, I will give you the rest of the day off in order to go home and get your things together. I’ll send a car tonight at 7:30 for you.”
“Yes, sir!” He motioned that she could go and Proto Zoa followed her saying that he was going to walk her to her car.
“So,” he said trying to make conversation. “Andromeda, are you from the space station?”
“Not me,” she said. “My mom and dad were. They moved down to Earth about 25 years ago, before I was born. My sister, Cassiopeia and I have only been up there a few times to visit our cousin.”
“Oh. I know someone up there, too. Her name is Zenon Karr.”
`Dro started laughing and said, “You’re not serious!”
“Yes I am. Why?”
“That’s my cousin. My full name is Andromeda Lacerta Karr. My dad and her dad are brothers.”
“I see…” They came out into the lobby attracting a few eyes but they got outside and found her car.
Getting in, she said to the man, “See ya tonight.”
“See ya then,” he said waving back to her and going back inside. Before she started her car up, a realization hit her on what was going to happen. “Why me,” she asked herself. “Why me…”