BUSY DAY

I've always known I'm not the funniest person on the planet. I could make me laugh though. Jerome and Mickey too. I know I can't be that dry with my jokes. I mean, it only takes a silly memory to have me rapturing in hysterics. I throw in a little sarcastic remark and the boys crack their ribs. 

But when it comes to my coworkers ,I'd throw in my best material and it's like they never hear me. No reaction at all . I sometimes even wish for a glare or objects thrown at me but nothing! 

They came to work and a second they are not working I think they feel like the boss will fire them. 

So it's around nine o'clock, I'm seated on a high stool before a working table with like all basic laboratory equipment, beakers, thermometer , test tubes... Name them. 

Before me in an open kind of way is a couple of machines which are humming in perfect harmony as they mix, cut, shape and all that processing of soaps . My coworkers Jenny, Gary and Phillip are around and about the machines monitoring them. 

Today the chemical engineer the four of us work under asked me to be his assistant as he works on a project. He intends to create a soap with fragrance for people who are allergic to various fragrances. Beautiful work indeed. 

I'm wearing a lab coat people! It's so white and crispy from being pressed nicely and it fits really good. I actually feel like the engineer. Come on, give me this one it's been years! Speaking of whom , must be running late from the meeting with the HR he said he had to go to. 

"My life is full of drama, didn't know it comes with the soap making job! "

Is the joke I said five minutes ago that echos through the empty spaces coming back to my very own ears. I just end up letting out a dry chuckle. It sounds like I'm choking on something. Oh, I'm choking on something alright! 

To my utter relief, the engineer comes bursting through the doors white unbuttoned coat flying behind him like some super hero cape. He seems excited but schools his expression as soon as he lands eyes on my coworkers who suddenly are alert and I think are a few seconds from saluting .I'm seated at the far back not quite visible from the doors. 

"Good morning sir. " They chorus in perfect unison. 

This is the second time since eight o'clock! 

"Uh, good morning ... As you were. " The boss says then looks around with a frown, "Where is miss Tanya? "

I raise my hand up and wave vigorous before I could stop myself. I feel stupid because he had his back to me. So I awkwardly put my hand down. They are all looking at me now. Only the engineer has a small smile on his face as he walks hurriedly over. 

Now they glare at me! I wanted that a few minutes ago and they didn't give it. Keep it to your selves losers! 

"Hi doctor Strange, you got a leap on your step there. " I observe my hand up for him to tap which he does with an eye roll but tiny amused grin. 

"Guess what? The board agreed to a sitting to hear about my project next week. " Doctor Strange says happily. 

Only I call him that he's doctor Sperry .

"That's good news sir. We should really get started then. " I say. 

We both overlook the fact that I just gave him an order. And the rest wondered why he picked me. We have the same level of education but not same level of boring someone to death. I don't bore anyone to death. Or so I like to think .

"You got everything ?" He questions. 

"Yap. "I pop the p .

So we get to work. I take down notes for reagents we use and their measures. Then he hands me some blue gloves and eye protecting gear for the practical session. Normally I would, I should feel used to do everything as he instructs but I'm excited because I haven't done what I went to school for in a long while! 

"Wow that is so huge !" A tiny human voice exclaims very loudly and excitedly from behind us. 

The touring kids are here. That was definitely a boy because it's boys who obsess over things being huge. I'm stereotypical and I know it. 

"Look at that, can I climb? " 

Another tiny human voice whom I already say to self is another boy. Don't argue with me, I'm wearing a lab coat. 

"Aaw it's so pink ,I could eat it! " 

This tiny human voice definitely belongs to a tiny girl and it's not because she fancied the pink but because of the very high pitched voice. 

"Good morning, I'm Gary . Welcome to Superior Lather Co. We are world renowned soap company. We make the best soaps. Let's show you how we do it. "

Wow, that is no way to create a rapport with anyone forget children. That guy just ruined my reputation because I have been the most welcoming host while they've always lurked in the shadows as I handled kids. Clearly he didn't learn anything from me. 

"Pardon me, may I ask a question? " Some kid asks formally. 

I could already see the suspenders he wore without turning around. 

"Tommy please, let's not disturb the good man ." A woman warns softly. 

She sounded embarrassed for some reason . I take it she's the teacher. 

"No no, it's fine, Tommy fire away ." Jenny advises overly enthusiastic. 

"Can you skip to the good parts? Save the speeches ?" Tommy asks seriously and innocently. 

I gave my all to keep from snickering. Poor Jenny and way she summoned her inner non existent chirpy self. 

"Settle down children. "The woman from earlier warns again. 

I hear a throat clearing right in front of me and that brings my attention back to the procedure I was onto. 

"Would you rather you be there? " Dr Strange asks amused. 

"Sorry ." I say embarrassed. 

I had a dropper with some coconut oil in it on one hand and a beaker on another hanging mid air because I was waiting for Jenny's reply. 

Now I have to tune them out and have some work going. But of course I could hear them explaining to the kids quite bluntly how soaps are made. I know the kids are bored out of their minds except one. I bet he's taking down notes and nodding as they explain everything. 

I see it now, I miss explaining to kids about mixing chemicals to make soap. I didn't know I enjoyed my job until I wasn't doing it and my replacements downright screwed up my reputation. 

Damn, when will lunch be here for me to hear my boys' homely voices . And also to get a break from working . Then most importantly, to eat.