S am and Delia spent an exhausting few hours ferrying office equipment back to the offices of Synergenesis. Sam had created a layout, and now it was starting to take shape. Delia had brought boxfuls of mismatched mugs for the kitchen, and was keeping a growing tally of windowsills that apparently needed a plant pot holder.
“If we put plant pot holders everywhere, won’t I need to put plants in them?” asked Sam.
Delia nodded. “Very important part of an office.”
“Have you ever worked in an office, Delia?” Sam asked.
“No, but everyone knows that offices need spider plants. It just so happens that I have around twenty spider plants.”
Sam gave her a puzzled look.
“You know that thing where they make small new plants on dangling stalks? My kids are obsessed with potting them up. Honestly, I’ve got them coming out of my ears. I can make them available for a very modest price.”
Sam nodded. “They do fit the bill for being ordinary, and a bit dull.” She gazed around at the mismatched beige and grey furniture. Occasional shots of blue and burgundy from the faded chair seats did little to lift the overall colour palette.
Sam found a location slightly away from the others for the only desk that was made from solid wood. She ran a hand across its surface.
“You could use that desk for a while,” said Delia, echoing Sam’s own thoughts. “Before the new people move in, I mean.”
“I could.” Sam quite liked this office space. She wondered what the district council’s offices were like now that this stuff was gone. Sleek, modern and horribly soulless, she assumed. “I could just sit here before Synergenesis moves in.”
Delia struck a theatrically thoughtful pose. “If only you were on friendly terms with the boss, you could ask to have a desk here on a longer term basis. Oh, wait! You are!”
“I could.” Sam was very fed up of not having somewhere to work. “Maybe I’ll ask.”
“Synergenesis,” said Delia.
“Yes, that’s them.”
“Synergensis.”
“Yes.”
“Synergenesis.” Delia moved her lips experimentally as she sounded out the word. “What does it mean?”
“Does it have to mean anything?”
“I think it does,” said Delia. “That’s sort of the function of words. Synergenesis. Sounds like it should mean something.”
“I’ll ask them when they move in,” said Sam.