Bureau of Collections || ONC2021

The Pub

404 hovered her hands over the keys to her keyboard, hunched forward as she read meticulously through the events they needed to escalate. It was an intensive report, and she had to make sure she had covered everything, including 221's reckless act to temporarily reinstate an unknown soul using a binding tether.

She feared an investigation could lead to a mark against her pristine record, but she had to do the right thing. She knew deep down that what had happened on that last work order was very wrong. They had to report it, ignoring such a violent and disrespectful treatment of not only one but three souls was abhorrent. She had seen nothing like it in all her years.

"Just send it already, everyone has already clocked off the day shift."

404 spun, shocked to see 221 looming over her cubicle. Flustered, she sat bolt upright. Collectors were not meant to come to the operations floor unless it was an emergency. She knew that was not his reason. "You shouldn't be here." she quipped. I told you to wait outside after processing."

He snorted, "Yeah, what was left of them. You said you would be twenty minutes. It's been two hours. I'm tired of waiting."

"Don't you want to look over this escalation before I send it?" she asked curiously.

He shook his head. "I trust you have it handled. Was never good at the whole documenting thing. Anyway, you have my authorization, just send the damn thing and be done with it for tonight."

She glanced around, feeling the eyes of the night shifters falling on their minor exchange, shocked to see 221 among them. She could predict the future rumours already. "Fine." she leant down and clicked send, the whooshing sound of the confirmed submission signalling there was no turning back now.

She knew Death Supreme would convene a meeting with both of them come morning. Escalations were rare on their floor, and she knew he would not be pleased about it. She rose from her chair, stretching her arms high, doing her best to contain her anxiety as 221 folded his arms impatiently.

"It's quite nice up here, you know. You lifers have it good."

"Yes, well, someone has to keep the inner workings running smoothly, comfort and ergonomics are paramount to keep operations at a prime level."

He chuckled, "You really are a fan girl aren't you. You thrive for this."

"I do my duty 221, which is more than I can say for you."

"I have my reasons. Did you look up those details like I asked of our unknown fellow? I noticed my plan to get him contained in a hospital failed. He's currently at the address I found in his wallet, yes?"

404 sighed, "Yes. I've set some searches to run as well, see if we can correlate where he has come from."

"Good. Come on, then."

404 didn't move as he began to stride away. "I'm tired. I'd rather just go home and rest."

He stopped and turned, folding his arms once more. "I promised you that drink 404, besides it could do you some good to loosen up."

"No, I'm exhausted and I need to prepare for tomorrow." she insisted as she bustled past him towards the exit. Those places were not her scene anyway. She didn't have many friends like the others did.

"Aren't you curious about a certain contraband?"

She stopped. She had almost forgotten about that in the chaos of everything else that evening.

"Come, have a drink. I'll tell you about it." he pushed.

She tilted her head back, her foot stomping in frustration as her curiosity overrode her want for solitude. She had only seen one once before. In a collection case gone wrong in her first years on the job where Death herself had arrived to deal with the matter personally. A visit in which she had used something quite similar to reinstate a soul wrongfully taken.