"Maxim Parker to the director's office" voice rang in the dairy factory.

Called worker turned his footsteps towards the office, rejoicing that maybe he finally get a raise. He worked really hard for the last year, he went to work practically everyday, he didn't take a medical leave of absence, not even once.

He gently knocked on the door. When he heard a firmly "Come in!", he entered the room.

Man wearing a black suit, sitting on the chair smiled at the sight of Maxim.

- Please, take a sit - he said.

Worker took a chair and sat in front of director's desk.

- Maxim Parker. I've noticed that you were working very hard and with full commitment. Workers like you are very rare this days, that's why I decided to reward you - man said. Maxim couldn't help, but smile.

- Thank you sir! - he replied.

- I'm sure you know that people living in the certain east town have serious problem with protein deficiency, due to lack of dairy cattle. That's why I built a small factory and dairy shop there. I've already hired few employees, but I want you to be a manager there! - director said, expecting a loud and excited "Really? Thank you!".

But he was given an unsure face expression.

- Can I ask in which town exactly? - Maxim asked.

- Falkirk, why are you asking? - boss was confused, seeing how his worker paled.

- The town of petits géants? Those crass, obnoxious, 18 foot tall louts? - Maxim felt betrayed. His boss frowned.

- These are just harmful gossips. The young and dymanic team you'll be managing, its members are really kind, helpful and gentle. You have nothing to worry about - he said.

- Couldn't you find someone from their town to manage? - Maxim asked.

- I prefer to delegate the task to someone I know I can trust. And you're the perfect candidate - director replied.

- Actually, I think I'm too irresponsible for taking such task. You better send Gavin or Olaf there - worker said, hoping he'll get away with moving into that awful place.

- Nonsense! As I said before, you're an exemplary worker and you deserve that position - director replied.

- But I don't want to go there! Not with those dangerous people! - Maxim blurted out. His boss's face softened.

- So that's why you're acting like this? You're scared of Falkirk inhabitants? - he asked. Ashamed man nodded.

- Well, I would say that's mean and rude, but you have to find out the truth on your own. Here's a deal: If they turn out to be like you imagine them, you'll come back here and I will send someone else - director suggested.

- So... Just a quick call if something goes wrong and I will come back? - Maxim made sure.

- Yes. But give them at least a week. You'll see, the stereotypes about them are just a bunch of lies - man replied.

- Okay, I guess I can do that... - worker said. They both stood up and shook their hands.

- Perfect! You'll get a new company car in a three days and be off to new work - boss said.

- Thank you. I'll be going now - Maxim said and left the office.

News spread like fire and worker had to listen to comments for all day:

- I guess it doesn't pay off for being the best worker, if boss will send him to monsters.

- I wonder what will finish him off first: petits géants or unbelievably low temperature?

- They won't be getting their protein from the dairy products. They will get it from his flesh.

Maxim couldn't take it anymore and ran off to the toilet. As soon as he locked the door, he began to sob, tears were running down his cheeks. What he had done? Why did he agree to director's proposition?

***

After so many hours, Maxim finally reached Falkirk. It was a small town, few buildings forming two rows with one main street in between. The factory was out of the town, on the little peak behind the Falkirk. Dairy shop was located next to it.

Maxim always wondered why Falkirk inhabitants are bigger than average humans. There seemed to be no answer, since scientists didn't find anything suspicious during autopsy. Even growth hormone concentration was normal.

The most popular theory was that they're not humans, but aliens which began to look like humans, because they wanted to fit in. Which was successful for appearance change, but not the size.

With a heart in his mouth Maxim opened the door and entered the factory.

To his eyes appeared a well known machinery and workers. They were like he expected them to be, big and loud. But he was surprised to see that they didn't have any muscles, just skin and bones. So what his boss told him about protein deficiency was true.

One of the workers, who was carrying crates with filled bottles, noticed Maxim. He gasped and shouted:

- Zhe boss is here! Quick, bring zhe cakes!

Workers scattered around, fetching various things. When they got everything they needed, they stood in front of Maxim. Three of them were holding different cakes, two were holding a banner with "Welcome to zhe factory boss!", someone shot confetti in the air, rest was just cheering.

Maxim was confused. Did he arrive to the right place?

One person stepped forward and pointed at the cakes and said:

- We didn't know what flavor do you like, so we make zhese: chocolate cake, cheesecake and red velvet cake. We heard zhat zhey're zhe most likeable flavors.

Maxim looked worried.

- Is everything okay? Did you hurt yourself in the jaw? - he asked.

- What do you mean? - worker asked.

- You speak quite funny... - Maxim mumbled.

- Oh, you mean zhis? No, zhis is normal, zhis is our accent - he explained.

- Okay... - man said unsurely.

- So boss, which one do you want? - worker asked again.

- Red velvet will be fine - Maxim said.

They all went to the backroom and sat down at the table. One employee took a knife and cut all cakes, so that everyone could take a piece of their favorite one.

Petits géants introduced themselves to Maxim, who tried his best to remember them all. Man was watching employees with disbelief, seeing they're merry and peppy. Nothing like from the stories he heard.

After they ate, workers came back to their duties, except for Francis - the giant who was carrying crates with bottles earlier - he was giving Maxim tours of the factory.

When they finished, Francis came back to his work and Maxim went to his office. A gift basket with different jams and jars of honey was placed on his desk.

He simply sat at his desk and began to fill in the documents.

***

First day of being a manager finally came to an end. Maxim was still in his office and didn't leave until he heard that everyone left the factory.

He closed it and was about to go to his little flat in the dairy shop, when he bumped into something. He raised his head and saw one of his workers.

- What are you still doing here? - he asked.

- I wanted to ask if you will come with me to Falkirk? We're going to have barbeque and it would be nice if you joined us - man replied.

- Sorry, but I'm really tired. I just want to go to bed - Maxim said.

- But we prepared it specially for you! Don't you want to be zhere, even for few minutes? - employee asked.

- I said no! - man shouted, causing worker to wince at the loud and rude tone.

- Oh, okay... Well, in zhat case goodnight mr. Parker - employee said and headed towards the town.

Maxim entered his little flat and flopped onto the bed. This day wasn't as bad as he had expected, but he still had to be alert. These stories about Falkirk inhabitants must have got a reason, if everyone agrees with them.

He screamed into his pillow. It's going to be a long week.