Belly Literary Universe (part 2)

Cozca's Devil's part 17: Failure

Thankfully, Kelri experienced no issues getting through the last security gate. With the USB drive safe and buried deep in her cleavage, none of the guards showed any sign that they knew something was up. A few moments later, she waddled into the waiting room for the Office of Quantum Processing. It was sparse in accommodations without even an out of date magazine to entertain or a plastic fern to give color. Even the window where Kelri assumed a Secretary would normally sit behind was vacant and decorated only with a reminder that employees needed to wear their badges at all times.

The distraction seemed to be working. She waited a moment longer, scanning the room for any hint of security technology. Nothing.

Finally, someone opened the door leading further into the office. A drab balding man walked out. He was plump, though not anywhere close to as large as Kelri. With a warm smile he shook her hand. "Tom Davis, pleasure to meet you Ms. Rivera."

Kelri put on a smile and returned his greeting. "So glad I can finally get a chance to look the place over."

The man gave a hearty laugh. "No ma'am it's us who're glad you're here. The workflow changes you suggested have been invigorating around these parts. Most office types just try and give us a task and demand we do it faster. Real Sisyphus stuff. It's nice to work with someone who actually knows a bit of computer science."

"I was worried I'd be stepping on toes with the changes."

"Oh don't you worry about that. Sure some people are flustered with change, but most like the challenge. The directness."

The conversation died down a little bit.

Finally Mr. Davis broke the silence. "So uh, I'm surprised you're here on time. Heard there was quite the commotion in the atrium?"

"Oh that?" Kelri said, looking back toward the door. "Not my type of music. If you want to go, feel free. I can wait around until things have cleared up. I'm sure it's not an everyday occurrence. I'll be getting paid just the same."

"Well if you insist. I was honestly hoping you might say something like that..."

***

Valerie looked on from afar. She was sure she saw Jackie's hand shake. Maybe it was just nerves. Or could it have been her imagination. It didn't matter because she looked worried, and her phone was in her hand. She moved quick, pushing through the crowd.

Valerie straightened her long frumpy skirt, and took a deep breath as she approached. "You look conflicted," she said.

Jackie startled, and looked up at her from her fancy cafe seat. "Oh. Uh... Yeah."

Valerie gently folded her skirt under her butt as she sat across from her. "I understand having second thoughts. And I understand you being conflicted after the things you learned about me. Us."

Jackie scoff-like laugh and looked away. "Do you?"

Valerie leaned a little closer. "I appreciate that you're here and helping."

Jackie nodded, "Yeah, That's why I do it. The attention. Risking my career? Hell, risking going to jail to help some cult? It's all for your appreciation."

"You're pissed. You're hurt. I'm sorry. There was a lot of hidden pretense for our relationship. From both of us. But I don't think for a second that was all it was Jackie. I think there was something genuine there. We had fun. I know I did. And I would be very surprised if you could honestly say you didn't."

Jackie sighed.

"Not everything about it was a ruse. It's that small connection that I'm calling on now. What ever you were thinking about doing? Please don't..."