Date: 07/1█/21██

Time: ██:██

Weather: Hot/dry/heavy sun, 98° F

One of my colleagues has suggested that we start a garden here at the Facility "to test the effects of the anomaly and serum on various plant tissues".

I know that the greenhouse is just another way for us to stave off cabin fever in the winter months, but I can't help but be excited about it.

I doubt that it'll be a viable food source for the entire facility, but I've always wanted a garden. My mom used to tell me stories about the garden her grandmother had and her fond memories of eating sun-warmed produce right off the vine, of course this was before the amounts of heavy metals in the soil reached dangerous levels and home gardens were made illegal.

We're allowed to have one here at the Facility because it counts as a research experiment. Most of our produce will be grown hydroponically to save space, but Dr Hemlock (my colleague and the one who proposed the idea (and also to me last week) assures me that there will be plenty of dirt and compost for some of the smaller items.

-

⚠️The following is a transcribed recording from Lazarus Manufacturing Research Facility Delta.

The contents of this document and the events described herein are classified.⚠️

(SFX: tape recorder whirring)

The voice of Francis Moreau: "Uhh there we go. Date is July ██, 21██. Time is ██:██."

(A brief pause, a keyboard clacks as Moreau types.)

Moreau, in a silly newscaster voice: "Weather is hot and dry today with lots of sun, coming in at a balmy ninety-eight degrees Fahrenheit!"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

(Moreau giggles)

Moreau: "This is an addendum to my previous entry, I would like to clarify that--"

(Moreau is cut off by a knock at the door)

Moreau, calling to the knocking person: "I'm recording!"

(The knocking persists, Moreau groans, their chair squeaks across the floor as they get up from it. Footsteps receding, a door opens. A kiss.)

Moreau: "I'm busy!"

The voice of Adelaide Hemlock: "Oh yes, very busy, busy kissing me in fact."

(Moreau laughs)

Moreau: "I'm serious! I'm making a journal entry, you're being recorded so please behave."

Hemlock, with dramatic inflection as if telling a ghost story: "A journal entry? What are you an ill-fated NPC in a horror game? Gonna tell the whole world about your tragic backstory before perishing in some tragic lab accident leaving only your words behind?"

Moreau: "Don't… joke about that, I'm just excited about the new garden and I thought I'd document it."

Hemlock: "Ok if we have a garden then we gotta have bees"

Moreau: "Why?"

Hemlock: "Keep the plants company and we can see if any anomalous effects transfer to their honey"

Moreau: "Yeah that makes sense I guess? "

Hemlock: "We gotta have chickens also"

Moreau, snickering: "Why??"

Hemlock: "To see if the mystery juice does anything to their egg production or makes them tastier, duh! But seriously, how else are we going to fertilize our plants, Frank? if we manage to be self-sustaining, it'll cut our budget in half by 21██!"

Moreau, verbally smiling: "...you just want a farm huh? If you can convince Janine, by all means. She's the one writing the grant proposal."

Hemlock: "We also need the Rhode Island reds for the chickens. Just that strain."

Moreau: "Why that one in particular..?"

Hemlock: (fabric rustles suspiciously) "Uh… no reason?"

Moreau: "What's that behind your back?" (Footsteps, rustling) "Lemme see!"

Hemlock, laughing: "No!!"

Moreau: (gasps) "Oho my GOD, is that a pinterest board?"

Hemlock: "...mind your business."

(Recording ends)