Clock Breakers

Rule 6: Look Out for Numbers

"What do I wear on a date with a guy?" I asked Nash, who was reclined on his balcony in a button up short sleeved shirt and boat shorts.

"Depends on where you're going," he said, taking a sip of his cocktail. "If you're crashing the neon lights districts, a hawaiian shirt left open and boat shorts."

"Like you right now?"

"My shirt isn't open, but generally, if you don't want to be a performer, yes."

"What about classier?"

"An average restaurant in suburbia would be a polo shirt and some slacks, nice shoes like I wore that night I found you."

"Nash," I warned.

"Fine, fine," he said, waving and putting his drink down. "You're taking Devin around to talk about a security team deal and offer him a tin of Rare in exchange for information, right?"

"Not information, no." Nash lowered his sunglasses to look at me. "Nothing like that," I said, leaning against the balcony railing. "He's just my excuse to get into places tonight, I doubt he knows anything."

"Why do you say that?"

"He didn't know anything in three weeks, why would he know anything now?"

"Maybe he learned it here?"

"I thought you said to avoid paradoxes," I growled. "Besides, I don't remember what the hell he told me, just that it wasn't actually that helpful. I don't suppose your memory's come back yet?"

"Stops walking through the door, starts again in the alley." I looked away, trying to think of how to not royally blow our cover. "Did you look through the clothes June packed?"

"All the suits look the same," I sighed, looking to the sky, a warm island breeze on my neck. "I can't tell what would work."

"Maybe he'd want casual. Go in this."

"No," I said, chewing my lip, "no, there's something else. I gotta bad feeling but I don't know what it is. Worthy of a suit."

"You said our target might show up, you still feeling that?" I shook my head again.

"No. Well, maybe, I dunno. It's hard to tell. Something's bound to happen and it won't be pretty, but it doesn't feel like a person. More like..."

"An event." I nodded. "Alright," Nash said, standing and stretching his arms over his head. "Basic high class suit, button in the middle, sensible shoes... tie and buttoned throat are optional and depending on how hard this sell is going to be - if you're going for a relaxed and easy conversation, let the heat decide your attire. Otherwise, dress nice, play nice but cold, you get it."

I moved the tin from my pocket back into the steel case - may as well look professional on this chat if I'm playing for entry. I checked my room again for any spy dots like we'd found in Nash's cabin, but there were none. These rooms were almost the exact same setup as on the boat - it made me feel weird. I saw Juniper walking down the hall as I locked my door. I fought the urge to call out or follow her. I hesitated at Nash's door, deciding not to knock and announce my leave. Why did I feel like this was an ending? I shook it off and left to find Devin at the ornate building in the middle of the island.

"Mister Devins!" I called happily. He turned and smiled, a mug in his hand.

"Ah, Mister Christopher!" he called. "Right on time."

"Well security does hinge on punctuality," I said with a wink. "What's that you have there?"

"Oh! This is black tea. It's full of antioxidants." I nodded. "Would you like a drink? I can run for a serve or-"