Influenced

Chapter 3 -- Call Centres and Crime Scenes

Jenner tossed and turned while he slept, trying to push away the frightening images that filled his dreams. Frightening faces were watching him from dark shadows, looking at his skin and longing to feel it but something kept what ever is was from reaching out. As an incessant beeping gradually filled his subconscious, Jenner felt his mind pulling itself out of it's deep sleep.

"Shit!" He yelled out as his eyes snapped open. It was eight thirty already and he had to be at work by nine.

He flew out of bed and threw on the most "business casual" looking clothes he owned, pulled on a denim denim jacket and ploughed down the stairs, only to be greeted at the door by Matilda.

"Oh, hi...what's going on?"

Matilda stepped aside to reveal the U-haul parked on the street behind her. She stared at her feet as she said, "I'm moving in today, remember?"

"Oh God! I forgot!" Jenner glanced at his phone and noticed his time was ticking away, "I'm totally sorry, I know I said I'd help but I'm late for work!"

"It's okay." Matilda continued to look away. "Maybe Duchess can help?"

Jenner snorted and glanced back up the stairs toward the apartment. "Yeah, good luck with that. Look, I gotta go, maybe tonight I can cook us dinner and we'll get to know each other a little better? There's an extra key hanging next to the fridge, have fun moving!"

Before Matilda could respond Jenner was gone, running down the street to catch his bus. He got to the stop just as the driver started to pull away from the curb and with a frantic pounding on the windows convinced the man to stop and open the doors again.

"Thanks man," Jenner said with a smile as he counted out his fare from a handful of change.

"What ever." The bored sounding driver didn't even look at him.

Jenner watched the time as the bus wound through narrow streets, making its way to the larger main roads. As if on cue, every street light turned red as the bus approached and traffic quickly filled in the asphalt. Jenner sighed and tapped his foot impatiently until he decided he was close enough to work that he could run and beat the bus there.

He leapt out three stops early and pushed through the people on the sidewalk. As he approached the office building he started patting his pockets and swore out loud when he realized he'd forgotten his key card. Tapping on the window, he made eye contact with the receptionist through the glass who rolled her eyes as she got up to let him in.

"Carlos, this is the fifth time in two weeks you forgot your card!"

"I know Betty, I'm sorry." Jenner feigned a frown as he waited for her to sign out the temporary key card for him.

"Save your sorries for Mr. Kohl, he wants to see you right away."

Jenner gulped and suddenly his v-neck collar seemed to be too tight. "Thanks Betty."

"My pleasure Carlos." Betty handed the white plastic key to him and as he headed for his supervisor's office he shouted over his shoulder to call him Jenner but Betty just chuckled softly to herself.

"Mr. Kohl?" Jenner creaked open the door to Kohl's office and the large man stared up from his chair with disdain.

"Mr. Costas, do you know what time it is?"

"Heh, um...nine thirty?"

"And what time does your shift start?"

"Um...nine?"

"Okay, so now I know you're not late out of ignorance."

Jenner opened the door wider and slipped into the room, "I'm so sorry Mr. Kohl, I had the new subletter moving in today and I had to help her, then the bus was stuck in traffic."