"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." - Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

The room was basic. Only a few items are required to meet the needs of a standard waiting room. The only difference was the empty, cold, stark look of everything. The walls were plain and white. There was no sign of the art, decorations, or anything now or ever along the walls. There wasn't even a clock to remind visitors of the time. And there was a non-threatening, boring beige carpet traveling along the ground, meeting the walls, finishing up the plain, noninvasive look of the room. As you entered the room there was a grey metal door with a metal handle, no placards or signs, just the cold door that offset the white walls that surrounded it on each side. To the right was a desk. The desk was simple, metal, with no decorative quality. The metal legs dropped down to the floor, digging into the ocean of beige that surrounded it. On the desk, there was a monitor, a small tablet, and a phone. Pushed in tight was a metal chair with black leather cushioned trim on the back and arms. The only thing on the wall was a large screen that hung tight to the wall just behind the desk. Across from the desk there were three chairs placed against the wall next to the door - reinforcing the notion that this is a waiting room. But there was no hint of what the occupants would wait for. Was it a doctor's office or a meeting place for services? You couldn't tell. And whatever it was, there was no familiar or welcoming feeling that would make a visitor feel wanted or comfortable. 

There was no one in the office except for a young man who sat alone in one of the three chairs. He was young, somewhere in his early twenties, with an athletic build, curly blonde hair that sat on the top of his head like a soft mop, and striking blue eyes. He was dressed in a plain grey and white jumpsuit that had no identification markings, logos, or names anywhere. All that was present was a large yellow circle in the middle of the back. He sat quietly, yet you could feel some anxiety in his body language, slightly slumped, his hands rubbing on his thighs, sometimes drumming his fingers impatiently. His eyes scanned the room nervously as if he was looking for an escape. He took care to breathe from time to time, focusing on trying to stay calm as he waited. 

There was a soft metal clank as the metal door began to open. He looked up, sitting up slightly as he watched the door. His anxiety seemed to heighten, sitting this whole time waiting for someone to enter, and now that they were, he was suddenly nervous and a bit afraid. The metallic sound of the door echoed and creaked as it opened, and a woman stepped out. She was of average height, chiseled features and had a serious demeanor. She wore a dark blue suit and wore a thick pair of large dark glasses that appeared to be a communication device she spoke through with shimmering and blinking lights the flashed on the lenses in front of her eyes. She spoke through an earpiece, her voice low and focused, as she made her way to the desk. She didn't acknowledge the young man seated on the other side of the office. She went to the desk, pulled out the chair, and continued her conversation with an unknown person. 

Without looking up, she waved a hand up in his direction, signaling him to approach the desk. He stood up slowly and walked nervously to the desk. He stood in front of it and looked down at the woman, but she seemed fully engaged in the conversation, so he stood quietly, turning his attention to the black screen on the wall behind her desk. He was familiar with this room and knew that he had to keep from making himself a nuisance of any kind. So he just stayed focused on the screen, not talking and breathing quietly. 

Finally, she ended her conversation. Her eyes were now on the monitor on her desk, her voice firm. "Name?" He hesitated; his eyes met with a stern look as she waited. "What is your name." 

Her tone made it clear she was losing her patience. He released a breath, reached a hand into a chest pocket, and pulled out a large plain envelope marked with a yellow circle, similar to the circle on his back. He handed the envelope to her; she took it, tearing it quickly open and pulling out a small stack of papers. She sat silent as she reviewed the papers, the rustling of pages the only sound breaking the silence in the room. He stood while she read, his posture straight and his eyes still focused on the screen behind her. Finally, she lowered the pages and looked up at him, her gaze cold and stern. 

"Hm. You've built quite a reputation. 

"Yes," he responded softly 

She raised an eyebrow, looking back at the pages. "Four assignments. Four failures. Is that correct?" 

Still soft, with a nod this time. "Yes." 

She placed the pages down, her voice firmer than before. "Failure isn't an option. I don't understand why you're being given another chance." She watched him, and he said nothing. There was nothing to say to this comment that wouldn't bring more discomfort than he already felt. She turned back to her computer and waved at him once more. "Sit down." 

He looked down, and there was a chair sitting in front of the desk. He sat down as instructed. There was a buzzing sound behind her. He looked up and saw the screen flickering as it appeared to be activating. There were lines of light and a slight glowing, and then a man sitting at a desk slowly came into focus. He was dressed in a sharp suit, smiling warmly. 

"Hello, my friend." His voice was calm and caring. 

"Hello, sir." His voice was uncertain. 

"How are you?" 

"I...I'm ok, I guess." 

The man smiled and continued. "Good. I'm glad to hear that." He paused, and his voice grew slightly serious. "We're glad to have you back." 

"Thank you. I'm glad to be back, sir." He nodded. 

Still maintaining the seriousness from before. "Now, we all need to know that you understand what's at stake here." 

"Yes sir, I do," he whispered 

"That's good. Then tell me. What's at stake?"