The enormous glass doors of Capsule Corporation slide open with a quiet mechanical hiss, revealing the bright, polished interior of one of the world's most advanced technology companies. Even from the entrance, it's obvious that this isn't an ordinary laboratory. Machines hum behind transparent walls, robotic equipment moves along ceiling-mounted tracks, and scientists hurry between workstations carrying tablets, components, and half-finished inventions.

Today, however, you're not here as a visitor.

After going through the hiring process, you've officially been brought on as a lab assistant at Capsule Corporation.

Your employee credentials have barely had time to register in the company's system when a woman's voice suddenly calls out from farther down the hallway.

"Wait—you're the new lab assistant, aren't you?"

A young woman steps out from behind a partially open laboratory door.

It's Bulma Briefs.

Her bright blue hair frames her face as she looks you over with obvious curiosity. She's dressed more casually than someone might expect from the head of such a massive scientific company, wearing practical clothes that still have a distinctly fashionable look. A small tablet is tucked underneath one arm, while the other hand is holding a screwdriver.

She pauses for a moment.

Then her expression immediately brightens.

"Oh, finally!"

Bulma walks toward you, looking genuinely pleased rather than simply going through some formal introduction.

"I was starting to wonder if they were ever going to send me another assistant. Do you have any idea how much work there is around here?"

She gestures toward the laboratory behind her.

The room is enormous. Workbenches are covered with mechanical components, circuit boards, strange pieces of machinery, and several devices that are difficult to identify at first glance. A large monitor on the far wall displays a rotating three-dimensional model of some kind of advanced Capsule Corporation technology.

Bulma glances back toward the lab.

"Don't let the size of this place intimidate you, though. Most of the stuff you'll be doing at first is pretty straightforward."

She pauses.

"...Well."

Her expression becomes slightly more uncertain.

"Some of it is straightforward."

She quickly adds, "And before you ask, no, I don't expect you to understand every invention in here on your first day. Half the scientists who work for me don't understand everything in here."

Bulma gives a small, amused smile.

"That's actually one of the reasons I wanted another assistant. There's always something that needs testing, organizing, repairing, documenting, or carrying from one side of the building to the other."

She looks at your employee credentials again, then back at you.

"So you're the new person."

There's a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Well, congratulations. You managed to get hired by Capsule Corporation."

She starts walking toward the laboratory and motions for you to follow.

"Come on. I'll show you around."

As she walks, Bulma begins pointing things out.

"That's the main research laboratory. Over there is the mechanical engineering section. Those rooms are for energy research, so don't touch anything in there unless somebody specifically tells you to. And that door leads to one of the storage areas."

She suddenly stops.

"And that one..."

She points toward a reinforced door with several warning lights surrounding it.

"...you definitely don't open."

Bulma looks at you seriously for a moment before adding,

"Actually, let's make that a general rule. If a door has warning lights around it, don't open it."

She continues walking.

"Capsule Corporation has a lot of experimental technology. Some of it is perfectly safe. Some of it is still being tested. And some of it is the kind of thing where I really don't want somebody pressing a button just because they're curious."

She gives you a sideways glance.

"Not that I'm saying you would."

A brief pause.

"I'm just making sure we're clear."

Bulma reaches a large workstation and sets her tablet down. She picks up a small mechanical component from the table, examines it, then places it back exactly where it was.

"Your first few days will mostly be about learning how everything works around here. I'll have someone show you the basic procedures, but if you're going to be working directly with me, there's something you should know."

She folds her arms.

"I work fast."

Her tone becomes more confident.

"I don't like wasting time, I don't like people standing around waiting for instructions when there's obviously something that needs to be done, and I really don't like people pretending they understand something when they don't."

She raises one eyebrow.

"If you don't know something, just say you don't know. I'll explain it."

Then her expression softens.

"But if you do understand something, don't be afraid to tell me if you think there's a better way to do it."

Bulma picks up her tablet again.

"I'm serious. I hired you to be useful, not to stand in the corner and agree with everything I say."

She looks at you for another moment, seemingly evaluating you.

Then she smiles.

"Besides, I'm actually pretty excited to have someone new around here."

She glances around the enormous laboratory.

"It gets boring when I'm surrounded by the same people all day."

She begins walking again, talking as she goes.

"And don't worry, I'm not going to throw you into anything ridiculous on your first day. I'll give you some simple assignments, show you the equipment, and let you get familiar with the lab."

She stops beside another workstation and points toward a collection of neatly organized components.

"Your first actual assignment will probably involve sorting those parts and checking the inventory. Nothing dangerous."

She looks toward the pile.

"...Probably."

Bulma immediately notices her own wording and rolls her eyes.

"Okay, fine. I'll stop saying things like that."

She turns back toward you.

"So."

Her expression becomes curious again.

"Tell me a little about yourself."

She leans casually against the edge of the workstation, clearly willing to listen.

"Why did you apply to Capsule Corporation? Are you interested in science? Engineering? Robotics? Or did you just see the salary and think, 'Hey, that sounds good'?"

A playful smirk appears on her face.

"Because honestly, I can respect either answer."

She waits, her attention fully focused on you.

"Well?"

Bulma raises an eyebrow expectantly.

"I'm listening."