The Holo Earth

Chapter 15

The crisp spring air carried the scent of newly bloomed cherry blossoms as Liam approached the Baldwin Hills Community Center. Delicate pink petals drifted on the breeze. Zolok's instructions looping around in his mind: "Go to an ATM in the community center. Get a big amount, not just a little. You can always redeposit it in the bank."

As he approached the community center building from the auto-drive drop off, movement in the nearby park caught his eye.

Sarah was there, her ponytail swinging as she set up cones and markers for what looked like an obstacle course. The spring sunlight glinted off dewy grass, highlighting the vibrant green of the awakening park.

Liam's eyes darted between the community center and the park, his feet shuffling indecisively. Zolok's instructions pulled him towards the ATM, while Sarah's cheerful presence tugged him in the opposite direction.

Sarah noticed him and waved, her smile as bright as the morning.

"Liam! I'm so glad I caught you," Sarah called out, jogging over to meet him at the edge of the park. A light breeze ruffled the leaves of a nearby dogwood tree, its white blossoms a backdrop to her approach. "I wanted to thank you for your contribution to the physics exhibit last week. The kids loved it!"

He took a deep breath as the sound of children's laughter caught his attention. Turning, he saw kids playing in the nearby park, their joy carefree and infectious. For a moment, the weight of his situation lifted, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. The warm spring sun on his face and the scent of blooming flowers helped ground him in the present. The looming shadow of Calvin's regime receded as he savored the smell of freshly cut lawn.

"I'm happy I could help," he said to Sarah, genuinely pleased but acutely aware of the ticking clock.
Sarah's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, matching the lively spring atmosphere around them. "We're setting up something for the kids' spring break. It will be a mini-Olympics where all the kids can compete. Any chance you could stick around and lend a hand?"

Liam glanced at his watch, then at the community center, his expression conflicted. "I'd love to, but I've got to take care of something important first. It shouldn't take long, though."

Sarah's smile dimmed slightly, but she nodded in understanding. "Of course, I get it. Is everything okay? You seem a bit... distracted."

Liam forced a smile, trying to mask his unease. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind with work and all. Listen, let me take care of this errand, and I'll see if I can spare a few minutes to help before I have to leave. Sound good?"

"That would be wonderful, Liam," Sarah brightened. "Every little bit helps. I'll be right here when you're done."

The cheerful sounds of children playing in the park faded behind him, replaced by the steady thrum of his heartbeat in his ears. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to do.

As Liam waved goodbye to Sarah, his steps grew heavier as he approached the ATM. The joy of the children playing in the park and Sarah's infectious enthusiasm contrasted sharply with the dull grind of an ATM transaction. The scent of spring blossoms faded, replaced by the UV-C sterilized air conditioning of the building's lobby.

With Zolok's instructions echoing in his head, he glanced back towards the park, catching a glimpse of Sarah's ponytail as she resumed setting up the obstacle course. He steeled himself with another deep breath, and faced the ATM, the cheerful sounds from outside now muffled and distant.

Standing before the ATM, his earlier unease returned full force. He didn't like this machine; it added a 4% "convenience surcharge." Nevertheless, he inserted his card and agreed to the extractive terms. His pulse throbbed in his ears as he entered the amount.

He held his breath.

The ATM beeped, and cash started to pour out. Liam quickly stuffed the bills into his wallet, his eyes darting around. Just as he thought it was over, more bills began to emerge. His eyes widened in disbelief as he realized the machine had dispensed twice the amount he'd requested.