Here we are! Well, here I am. Mr. Royal — yes, that’s his name — and I had a meeting scheduled at 10AM, yet by 10:20, here I am, sitting in the cupboard of an office that he thinks is impressive.

In these five and a half square feet, he managed to cram as luxurious a set of chairs as he could find and an out-of-place desk. Not to mention all the relics and antiquities that just make the place feel cluttered for the sake of it. He has none of the pride of finding them, and he’s only exposing them in his office to give himself the importance and credit he cannot earn.

How do I know this?

Simple. I found and brought most of these items to the museum myself.

Empty chair in front of me. If I’m being honest, I wish it would stay that way.

The Madre Consecha’s statue here is obviously a replica, made from my sketches and pictures. If I’d known this was where the replica would sit!

Finally, Royal arrives. He takes place in his overly expensive chair and looks at me. Stares at me, really. I know he’s trying to make it look as if he can read through me.

I just stare back.

Finally, he gets bored, and starts his speech about how I’m a “valuable asset,” but I need to “refocus on the team aspect.” To “get in line with the objectives of the museum, instead of being a lone wolf like I’ve been.”

“Surely we can find a common ground,” I say. “You can give me the general guidelines, and trust that I’ll know best how to implement them on site! Right?”

He doesn’t look too fond of my plan. Or attitude. Or both.