“Matching office furniture is a concept, captain,” Gerocie said.
“In my opinion, they were taken aback by the cold attitudes of the attendees. I think quite a few of the people who showed up were attracted by the free alcoholic drinks,” Quint said. “They were careful not to complain, but there might be some observational bias on my part.”
Gerocie laughed. “Observational bias. You are reading some of the books I’ve given you.”
Quint could have told Calee that he read books on observations and argument, but he didn’t think that would impress her.
“Did they discuss when they would need you?”
Quint nodded. “They move into their provided flat tomorrow. Then we will get together. I’m going to talk to my landlady about what they can do in the international quarter. I don’t think willots will care that they are foreign dignitaries outside of the quarter.”
“I’m afraid you’re right. I can set up another office in the basement for Fedor Danko if he’s looking for a more professional environment than a kitchen table in his flat.”
“I’ll ask him. Perhaps the foreign secretary has something arranged.”
Gerocie pursed her lips. “I was told to be ready to set something up by General Obellia.”
“Then will it be ready in time?” Quint asked.
Gerocie gave Quint a sick smile. “Actually, I was thinking of giving him this office while you perform your decorating magic on another room down here. There is a larger storage room with a window two doors down.”
Quint closed his eyes and then popped them open. He didn’t want to show the colonel how irritated he was.
“Of course. When I finish with the other office, he can choose which one he likes better,” Quint said.
“Good. I’m glad we think so much alike,” the colonel said. “You can get started immediately. The storage room has a key.” She pulled it out of a pocket and put in on Quint’s desk.
The storage room made a better office in Quint’s eyes. The window well was deeper and that brought more light into the room. He didn’t know where to put the old cabinets, shelves and files, but he dragged them out into the hallway and told the orderly who delivered that day’s publications to get someone to find a place for the displaced items.
Quint knew how to order everything and requested the same office furniture as his with an extra set of shelves and two more side chairs for visitors. He measured the room again and ordered a table, with the intent to move Danko into the new office when it was done.
Two days later, Quint was called to the colonel’s office and met Calee and Fedor Danko.
“Captain Tirolo begins his assignment today,” Colonel Gerocie said. “You will take the Danko’s down to the basement and show our guest his new office.”
The large office was getting prepared to paint and the furniture wasn’t due to arrive for another week. Quint had to figure out what to do during that time.
“As you can see, we are building a new office for you down with me.”
“In the basement,” Fedor Danko said.
“Yes, the basement,” Quint said. “I’ll take back my office when yours is ready sometime next week. The office was a last-minute decision. We didn’t want you to have to use your flat.”
“But I like my flat,” Danko said. “I can get up, walk around and chat with my daughter when I need to. Are you required to give up your working space?”
Quint nodded. “I get your new office when you leave,” Quint said.
“That’s fair enough,” Danko said. He looked at his daughter and winked at her.
Quint wondered if they already had other arrangements.
Danko clapped his hand on Quint’s shoulder. “I’ll show up when I need to, how is that?”
“Perfect,” Quint said. At least Fedor Danko showed some reasonableness.
“Why don’t we walk to the international quarter. I’ll let you see our flat and we can get something to eat. There is a North Fenolan restaurant in the quarter, although it is run by willots. We can try that.”
“Great,” Quint said.
He left a message at the front desk for Colonel Gerocie and joined the Dankos for a stroll to the international quarter. Quint wore his cap, but the Danko father and daughter were bareheaded. Their light hair fluttered in the breeze bringing stares from passersby.
Quint was used to it, but he doubted if Fedor and Calee were. He relaxed a bit when they crossed the street into his neighborhood.
Calee laughed. “It’s as if the pressure of life dissipated as soon as we came here.”
“It is like that,” Quint said. “I used to live in barracks, and it wasn’t easy.”
“Are you the only hubite in the army?” Fedor asked.
“There are a few others, but they are common soldiers, the basic level. I imagine they have it tougher than I do. Being a Level 3 has certain advantages and a tiny bit more acceptance with certain people. Others will never give a hubite a chance.”
“We are through this alley, I believe,” Fedor said.
Quint took the same alley to his flat. He wondered if the army had put up the Dankos in the same building, but no. Fedor passed the alley gate to Quint’s building and walked through the third gate along the way into a nicer building.
“I live back there,” Quint said, “four stories up.”
“Then you get more exercise than we will,” Fedor said. “We are on the second floor.”
