>>5887174The room has not changed at all. Most importantly, that egg is still standing at attention. Johnson follows your wave to the table's side and wordlessly watches as you drop the egg sideways. As expected, the egg wobbles only for a few moment before settling upright again. “Do you know how they did it?” His brows rise, “I have my guesses. Will you show me?” Triumphantly, you reach under the table. Wait, something's wrong. Where's the switch? You crouch to get a better view of the table's underside. It is entirely smooth. What did Yamir do? Heat is rising up your cheeks. No, this cannot be.
As your mind races to come up with some plausible excuse, you hear a loud thud. Craning your neck, you see the egg rolling on the floor. You stand up again, your humiliation complete. No dignity left to lose now. “Will you show me?” Johnson takes a step back from the table and show you the side he's been standing over. There it is, hiding in plain sight. You can hear the mirth dripping from his explanation, “They are counting on you to drop your guard after getting tricked once.” His hand hides the widening smile, “Although I have to admit, that lordliness of half-innocence makes it all the sweeter. Like a barely older child thinking she is so grown up compared to her siblings.” You can't help but laugh a little too, “Seeing you struggling to hide that smirk of yours is a good consolation prize, at least.”
After forcing you to endure his silent laugh for a while longer, Johnson finally returns to his usual self, “Next time it should be under one of the legs. Tradition compels me to tell you.” You can't help your curiosity. “Which one? And who's likely to not know about this?” He starts to say something, but stops himself, then starts again, “Could be any of them. And no, I'm not very familiar with the crew, yet. But Elysium, maybe?” You have to find an excuse to bring Elysium with you next time.
