"If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough." He shrugged. "It is really your own choice. I am simply trying to make things easier on you."

He stood up and smiled. The thought of this big, brutish-looking man getting himself gobbled up by a monster on his first day made him giddy enough to keep up a pleasant demeanor. He stepped forward and extended a hand in greeting.

"My name is Dr. Richtofen," he said. "Und you are?"