Excerpt: Men With Red Envelopes

"Good morning to you too, Marigold." Irene winced, partly at her clichéd reply, but also at having to deal with an attitude so early.
The others in the group didn't seem surprised that Marigold called her a cheater, but Irene didn't notice and merely rested her head on her knees.
"I hope you got the problem sorted out." She continued.
"I'm taking the personality test today. Get off my back." Irene yawned. "Or at least wait until after breakfast."
"Let her be, Mari." Eric stepped forward. "She'll either take the test properly, or she'll be left in the dirt by everyone else."
"Gee, I sure am glad everyone is so supportive and believes in me." Irene muttered.

---

"Eep! Gotta go and get my brain examined. See you guys around?" Irene smiled and waved, happy at the grins and agreements she got back. It was nice having some friendly people to talk to after the past day. As she entered the building with the others, she looked around the narrow hall and small offices. This building looked the most modern of what she’d seen so far- the walls were a new bright white, the doors all metal and the floor a hard, sanitary white tile. They were led up a flight of stairs and into waiting rooms, men in the first on the right, women in the second. It was just like any other doctor’s office, complete with out of date health magazines and fake plants and cheap paintings or photos for decoration.
Irene smiled at the girl next to her and held out her hand. “I’m Irene.”
“I don’t talk to cheaters.” The girl replied, looking at her nails.
“If I am a cheater, which I’m not- you just did talk to me.” Irene whispered to her. The girl glared but didn’t reply.