Another taste of Bedlam!  As usual, I’ve put the fun behind a cut to avoid any spoilers.  Closest thing is a mention of one obstacle.  Enjoy.

Let’s be honest. You know who this is and where he’s from.

Before the secretary can finish dialing, the front doors open and two blondes walk into the lobby. The woman is pretty with a cherubic face, perfectly maintained hair, and a pair of glasses that dangle from a chain around her neck. Wearing a dark red pantsuit, the corporate-looking twin is still tucking her white shirt into her waistband. Her clothing is back to being flawless before she gets to the Tina’s desk and begins tapping a manicured finger on the recently polished wood. Pausing for a second, the woman takes a walkie-talkie off her hip and urgently whispers into the device. Satisfied with the garbled response, she stretches to steal a pen and scrap of paper from the secretary.

Yawning and trudging behind his sister, the male twin searches his lab coat, jeans, and t-shirt pocket for an elusive cough drop. He shows no signs of being sick, but the rush of fake cherry flavor helps to wake him up. It is clear that he spends most of his time in his lab and might not have had a full meal in weeks. His body is scrawny compared to his athletically toned sister, which seems to suit his knotted hair and the deep circles under his eyes. Perhaps the only attractive things on the young man are his perfect teeth. He leans on the desk a few inches away from Lloyd, but is unable to acknowledge the stranger before he starts to fall asleep.

“Get me the release forms because all of the guards out front have left their post,” Angela Blackwell says, snapping her fingers at Tina. The businesswoman puts her glasses on and tucks an extra pen behind her ear before snatching the papers from the secretary. “We give these people jobs, food, and places to sleep. Even free medicine and recreational drugs when they earn a bonus. Can’t believe five of those lazy bastards abandoned us, especially now. That mobile cartel is breathing down our necks and I refuse to make those violent nomads partners in our company. How were the new caffeine pills, Tina?”

“They tasted good and gave me energy, but I had some bleeding issues,” the brown-haired office worker replies, smiling at Derek Jenard. She blushes when he checks her pulse and fumbles with a tiny light to check her eyes. “There’s no dilation, insomnia, or painful crash this time. Maybe putting a gastrointestinal bacteria culture into the mix will make it easier for the intestines and-”

“I’m the scientist, so just leave that to me,” the young man says while gently moving Lloyd out of his way. He stops with his hands on the serial killer’s shoulders, noticing their guest for the first time. “Can we help you?”

Clearing his throat and grinning, the amused traveler claps his hands to gain the twins’ full attention. “My name is Lloyd and I’ve been sent by Dr. Fornio of Lake James Hospital to convince you to revive the deal. He still refuses to be involved in your drug running, but his patients need meds and you’re the best supplier in the area. Guessing you’re also the only one, which means you are running unopposed and should consider this a hollow victory. More importantly, my friend has the flu and she needs medicine. You seem busy, so I’ll just take my list and pilfer your supplies on my own. I can read bottles and expiration dates, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Oh, and as a way to prove I’m an honest person, I’m the reason your guards are missing.”

“So you’re a negotiator sent by that whiney surgeon,” Angela says, sizing the man up while chewing on her glasses. As an afterthought, she tears apart all but one of the release forms and makes a note to have the guards compete for a single position. “You must be pretty good to convince five of our employees to leave. May I ask how you did it?”

“I stuffed them in their lockers.”

“Doubtful. Those things are too small to fit an adult into.”

“Long ago, I took a class that taught me how to handle such a situation.”

“And what class was that?”

“Woodshop.”

The twins stare at Lloyd in shock, their faces turning pale when they figure out what he means. Derek pops a few pills that settle his stomach, the thought of internal organs and flowing blood making him queasy. Noticing that Tina is still confused, he makes a sawing motion against his elbow. Squeaking in fear, the young woman uses her wheeled chair to move as far away from the serial killer as possible. Only Angela manages to regain her composure and smirk, the beginning of an idea forming in her mind.