In between

Chapter Six

Mr. Wilson had a habit of unnecessarily shaking a limb during highly intensified situations. Nerves like malfunctioning wires entangling and disrupting one another's purpose. He is complacent, well, tries to be, whenever he's at Mr. Robert's demanding presence. However the other side of the coin can never be similar with what is typically known to his superiors, his attitude towards his working men were feral and can be abusive at worst days. Such groups who get trampled enough can never tolerate the behavior from someone who barely earns the right to mouth off whenever he pleases, so all is required was one late night drinking session and a dark street corner that is away from any form of life-

'Charlotte, Charlotte!'

I put my head back on my shoulders and looked up to Mr. Robert. He was looming over my tiny desk, annoyance tugging down at the corners of his mouth.

'yes?' I say, preen and proper as I try to cover up my sudden hammering heart.

'I've said your name for the fifth time now, lass. What is the matter with you?'

'Nothing' I dismissed. I took the papers from his outstretched hand and dodge the curious look he was sparing me.

'Nothing she says' he scoffs to himself 'y'know, you are always insisting on being the most competent individual for this job, however I am starting to have my doubts.'

'I took no offense, sir' I say impassively 'because from what I can recall, mistakes are not commonly associated with my work.'

He laughs, unsurprisingly.

'Sounds 'bout right, that' he says, clearly amused and I did not realise the relief that I am holding until it floods me, temporarily putting my mind at ease. 'your mind s'probably the sharpest tool among this small shed.'

'Which is why you would never regret a single dime you ought to give me.' I say to him, almost proudly.

'Hope that shiny sentiment will last until then.'

'It is guaranteed, sir.'

When he went back to his office, I continued rubber stamping some papers. I kept briefly wandering back to Mr. Wilson and his tragic fate and how I finally uncovered all of its missing pieces to materialise the series of events behind closed eyes. During the duration of my time here, the workers had treated me with respect despite the worldwide social stigma regarding women earning their own keep, although the threat of violence hanging over their heads if they do the expected has unhinge its true moral roots courtesy to Mr. Robert and his iron fist. That is why I can not tell if those who did the unspeakable crime are still among the working men as we speak.

And ain't that a terrifying thought?

At noon Mr. Robert and I ventured to an upper class restaurant right across the market to meet the lord mayor's secretary. We were scheduled to discuss the number of supplies that were needed for an upcoming ceremonial event for the lord mayor himself, a birthday or anniversary, I am not so sure besides its obvious celebratory element.

'Let's see what this pompous need, shall we' he says as we enter the sleek stone wall building. The business grounds are not bustling with activities, which is really not unusual despite its well known name knowing upperclassmen who barely had time for a leisure detour unless signed checks were involved are the frequent guests of these very plush red seats.

'Be nice' I say to him, partially humoring him and partially warning him.

'Aren't I always' he grins then raises a hand when he spotted a particular someone. The bald man who occupied the table at the very center of the spacious room seemed to enjoy the passing glances of newcomers as much as the red wine he was occasionally sipping. When we were finally settled in front of him, he was quick to converse about the weather and its great unpredictability, like his lovely wife's mood swings, merciless but otherwise a knowable force you eventually learn to exist with.