**Chapter 11: Natalie Builds Her Office Skills**
The next morning, he got ready for work, not bothering to be quiet, but Alison slept through it all. He’d wanted to talk about the previous night, but never got the chance. He caught the shuttle to work, sitting next to Gretchen on her invitation. She made hints about the text she’d gotten, but he didn’t bother to play along. He thought that was the end of it, but it actually seemed to interest her more, and she asked if he wanted to come by for drinks again after work again. He begged off, leaving her with a bemused expression as they parted ways to go to their separate buildings. He made his way up to his office, and Natalie met him at the door.
“Good morning sir. Coffee is brewed. Please tell me how you like it and I’ll bring it to your desk.”
“Um, cream and sugar. Simple.” He said. He hung up his suit jacket and went to his desk, beginning the process of the logging on. He read through a series of specification reports, and then some technical stuff he didn’t quite understand, and finally a report of the efficacy of the behavioral response to the wristbands. He made a few notes, planning to bring it up the meeting. At quarter to nine, Janelle walked into his office, dressed impeccably, as usual, in a dark blue skirt suit.