My footsteps create an echo as I walk down the long hallway, passing many miscellaneous rooms, abstract art on the walls, and some pictures of current members and founders. All framed without glass.  

By the time I arrive it's 9:54 and the tour is just about to start. 2 people are already here, a man and a woman. I know 5 people altogether are getting the tour as the new hire. Their eyes go on me when I walk in, especially the girl's eyes are so clearly full of judgment. In turn, it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable in the new environment. Should I have gotten here even earlier, or something? I try to assume that maybe the girl is in a rush to start and it's not a personal thing. I want to be civil with all my coworkers and maybe even gain some friends.

While we wait for everyone to arrive, a woman dressed in office apparel; a pencil skirt suit set, walks in. She’s writing on a clipboard and talking amongst a man she brought with her. He's in a maroon scrub. I'm excited to learn what the maroon scrubs mean.

I also notice in the room, there is a beautiful grand piano in the corner, it looks really old. I’m a bit excited to see it, although not knowing how to play, it's still a beautiful thing. A deep brown, made out of wood, looks like it's in pristine condition, but the lid is locked shut. 

That's a shame. The sound is so much more crisper when it's opened.

It’s a funny thought since I don't know much about pianos. I have only heard my highschool band play from a small grand piano that also had a shut lid. Still, I wonder if it's still in tune, or if they care enough to keep it in tune. I understand why it's locked off though. The piano chord strings would definitely be a big no no here. 

The rest of the room is a pinkish tan color and the floors are wooden with surprisingly wide windows showing a beautiful garden with a paved path. I can see some people walking about. The only thing kind of off putting is glass is not real. Makes the lovely veiw slightly warped and blurry. Over all, it really is a serene and calming room, it's nice. There are a few plastic tables with chairs within the room and a bookshelf with games to play.

The rest of the group straggle in. People are chattering and I find myself doing small greetings here and there to the others, small talk. They seem friendly.

The fancy woman looks at her watch, I look at mine, it's 10 am. 

“Alright!” she exclaims. One or two people jump, everyone quiets. Then she counts people with her pen whispering the numbers. “Wonderful, everyones here! Good morning everyone. My name is Beatrice Weld and I am the head doctor here at Mayfair Psychiatric Hospital. Please call me Dr. Weld aanndd this here is my little helper for todays tour, Ethan.”

“Hi.” He smiles and waves to us.

“He, along with any maroon scrubbed nurses can help you with any questions you have while getting adjusted here! Okay… so before we take the tour we'll take a moment to introduce ourselves. You don't have to say much, if you wanna just say your name that's fine but I encourage you to say a bit more, like a fact about yourself or something. I know, I know. We’re not in middle school anymore but it's good to know the basics! I already started so I’ll have Ethan go next!”

“Hello, I’m Ethan. I’ve worked here for 5 years now and I really think you guys are going to enjoy working here.” He finishes and gestures to his right to a middle-aged woman with medium curly ringlet brown hair and cute blue glasses. 

“Hello, I’m Desiree.” She starts quietly, she seems to feel awkward. "Aannnnd I’m really excited to start today!” 

“Woohoo! That’s the attitude," Dr. Weld says flashing Desiree an encouraging smile. "Next?”

A very large older gentleman, also with glasses, and short hair speaks up. 

“Oh, ah, hello everyone.” He waves and some hellos echo, I echo too. “I’m Henry, aannd a fun fact about me is before I decided to become a nurse, I was a chef."

“Really? That's so cool!” Says the girl who gave me judgy eyes.

“Thank you!" He says back proudly.

Now it's my turn, I wait a second to make sure I can go. I didn’t really think of anything but luckily I have a prompt I always use.

“Hello, I’m Ellete, but everyone calls me Elle and I know how to sign language!” I hear some 'oos' in response. I'm pretty proud of this fact. My very small group of friends and I decided to learn it in high school to talk to each other from afar. I motion to the girl next to me to go.

A very tall, awkward, petite younger woman with short dark brown hair speaks up.

“Hi, my name is Reagan and I love going hiking with my two dogs.”

Then last but not least, judgy eyes with the blonde ponytail and sharp face.

"Hi, I'm Jessica. This is my second nursing job but I'm so glad to have gotten the opportunity to come here!" She says clasping her perfectly manicured fingers together.

"Alright, that'll do it! It's wonderful to meet all of you. Let's get started with the tour!"

Dr. Weld leads us out and down the hallway. She shows us all the rooms we'll need to go for certain activities. Direction wise it's pretty self explanatory with the signs on the ceilings but she explains what we'll do in them. She explains certain rotations and times they start but that we definitely don't need to memorize anything right now. We're meeting some of the therapists in certain rooms. Right now we're with the art therapist. There's a session happening at the moment, there's some patients here too. First time actually seeing some since all the other rooms were empty other than some of the therapists.

"Good morning Dr. Puri. Don't mind us, we'll be quick." Dr. Weld says politely.

"Not a problem." Puri says back with a gentle smile.

I tried to observe all the patients I could, trying to get to know some faces. They seem to be able to wear their own clothing. Some are wearing hoodies with no strings. It is kind of chilly in here. 

Dr. Puri is explaining a bit of the class to us as well as demonstrating. Most of the patients are following along, some are taking their own artistic liberties, but there's one person who isn't doing anything at all. This person is in the back of the room, big stand-off-ish vibes. They're wearing gray sweatpants and a black hoodie that are both too oversized for this small person. The hood and their very messy hair practically covers their face.

"Uhmm Elle?" A light tap on my shoulder "We're leaving." Henry whispers and beckons me to come along. I didn't even notice them leaving or hear them announcing it. I go to leave but turn to look back at the hooded person once more. They're turned towards me only their bottom half of the face is visible, lips slightly spread. I lightly flush because I think they noticed me staring, and I don't want to be perceived as rude or gawking.

I hurry to leave.