A minute later another man came in to retrieve Brynt's papers, and Greyson was left alone again, in the same position he had been in for hours.

Another hour passed before the door opened again. Cliff stepped in, a half-apologetic, half-patronizing smile on his face.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Marrick. You were forgotten. Please, follow me.”

“No.”

“Excuse me, Mr. Marrick?” Cliff looked at him curiously.

“I believe I was perfectly clear. Perhaps if you'd stop being so polite you might actually evoke something of an accomplishment.”

Cliff arched an eyebrow. “Very well. Get over here immediately, Mr. Marrick.”

Greyson nodded slightly and got to his feet. “What is it you're planning on doing to us now that we're had our so-called 'test'?”

“A more ...interactive test, Mr. Marrick. There are varying levels for the varying performances on the first test. Your testing partner Clayton is doing remarkably well on both. Brynt we have yet to determine. And we are all interested in how you will do.”

“Apparently not, seeing how you forgot me here.”

“We were more curious when it came to the results of the interactive test. Clayton was able to complete it to our utmost satisfaction, but Brynt has been more trying and we're not as sure about him. You we have yet to determine. The connection we find between how much of the first test was completed and how well the examinees have done in the second is what we find interesting.”

“I doubt I'd be much good in a social setting in any situation.”

“That's why we have varying levels of interaction for the various results we receive on the first test.”

“And mine would be?”

“You're not allowed to know, Greyson,” Cliff smiled again.

Greyson raised an eyebrow. “And you were allowed to tell me everything else?” he asked dryly.

Cliff paused. “That's different. Now,” he nodded towards the door, “moving along...”

12.21.05 Test subject Greyson D. Marrick implanted with tracking device and released into testing area.

12.24.05 Test subject Marrick failing test. Speaks very little, refused invitation to a holiday gathering.

12.29.05 Test subject Marrick tried to leave test area. Was caught before he could get away.

01.03.06 Test subject Marrick near the end of his experiment.

01.04.06 Test subject Marrick has failed. Will wait for the results to see whether he is fit to be released back into society.

01.08.06 Received results for test subject Marrick. Will have to have to gradually be reintroduced to the world.

01.11.06 Test subject Marrick missing. His helper was found dead from brain trauma.