Candi: "Yes?"

Cladeus: "I'm retiring!"

Candi was overtaken by the surprise. Cladeus? Retiring? Why?

Cladeus: "So puzzled, Candi?"



Candi: "Sir! You've made Hazy Eighties what it is!"

Cladeus: "That's right...but in spring time...a new manager will take over for me! A certain Mr. Nanale has made a tender offer on this place!"



Cladeus: "I'm warning you of this now...because I have a feeling he will want to make some very dramatic changes to the way this place is run!"

Candi: "I'm...sure I can handle it!"

Cladeus: "He might not allow such part-time work as what you currently have here. Give him a little bit of a chance, Candi! I've only met with him briefly...and I don't think he's the kind that appreciates women of your integrity. I would not rule out looking for another job!"



Candi: "Why aren't you telling everyone of this?"

Cladeus: "Because...I don't want to lose too many employees in protest!"

Candi: "Is Victor a bad man?"

Cladeus: "I don't know. He doesn't seem very professional or nice, but I don't know if he's truly a 'bad man'!"



Jeral: "Then...why are you telling us this?"

Cladeus: "Because...someone needs to explain to the others what happened! I won't smoothly transition to the new management. It will happen one day...without warning!"



None of the discussion made sense to either Candi or Denny. Why would Cladeus not see that the other employees' finding out was inevitable? Why the secrecy? Candi didn't have to worry about money...only about maintaining her alibi. Denny, growing tired of it, decided to intervene, taking Candi into his arms.

Denny: "Well in that case...How's about that date?"

Candi: "I'd be much obliged!"



Deep inside, a nervous twitch shivered down Cladeus' spine. He sensed the absolute worst about Victor, and felt horrible for being a coward. Why could he not explain to them the real reason for which he'd called them back?

Candi: "If you'll excuse me, Cladeus..."

Cladeus: "Go right ahead, Ms. Stevens! You are off the clock!"



Candi: "Jeral? You okay?"

She didn't know what was going on with her co-worker...but her centipede instincts were kicking in. The phantom scream was but a faint whisper...



Jeral: "You...really don't want to know. My suggestion...pray, every night if you can...that the Phaelites and Meethlites BOTH go to Hell! And if you associate with them...then...you can be damned too!!!"

Candi: "You okay? What happened?"

His sudden bursts of insane rage alarmed the remaining three. What was he trying to hide?



Feeling the worst springing up from within him, he rushed out of the office door, panicking as he made his way to the main exit!



Candi: "Jeral!"

Had her co-worker completely snapped? Candi feared he would hurt someone if she didn't intervene, so she gave chase.



Denny: "Candi! No!"

They couldn't stop her. Something was very wrong outside, and she had to respond.



The agony Jeral felt quickly took over!

Jeral: "Noooo!!!!!! Curse you, Phaletori sect! Ahhhhhhh!!!!!"



Candi: "Jeral! What's happening to you?"



Jeral: "Leave...me...ALONE!!!!!"

Without thinking, his eyes flashed and he saw a sight too horrible for his own belief! His arms - they had become vines!!!



Candi had never seen anything like it! What was her co-worker turning into? She dodged his vine assault easily, but remained puzzled. What was Jeral talking about? At any rate, she knew she couldn't afford to use her centilegs in the parking lot- it would blow her cover!



Feeling an uncontrollable urge from within, Jeral continued to fight Candi! She jumped over a fence for safety; and he followed, not resting until he'd gotten more swipes at her!

Just when he thought he'd had her in the perfect choke hold, something came out of her that snapped his vines clean off!



Candi: "Jeral! It's no use! Let me help you!"



Jeral began looking more and more plant-like by the minute!

Jeral: "This is what I didn't want the boss to see! You may as well give it up, puny Centhuen Prototype! Tell Cladeus that I quit!"



Candi: "You don't have to be a monster!"

Jeral: "Save it!!!"