V.A.M.P.s

Chapter 3

The varying aromas of food waft from the vendor carts, his empty stomach begs Matthew to stop and indulge it. He tries to ignore the pleas and listens to the chorus of shouts from the vendors as they hawk their wares. Every morning like clockwork they set up shop for the multitudes of customers that pass by on their way to work and likewise in the evening when they head home.

Matthew wonders who has the time to stop? Those who don't work, how could they possibly afford the prices? Maybe those who had gotten up early? He chuckles to himself, yea right!

An elevated train roars past and temporarily drowns out everything. It passes and the chorus of things for sale continues.

After all it's not just food or drinks they sell, every imaginable ware could be had. Some for the right price, wares that no one had the right by law to posses, but there is no time to ponder those questions as he reaches the crosswalk late. The walk light has already changed to no walk and he needs all of his concentration as he weaves through the traffic just barely able to avoid the hover vehicles that start to move.

Late but alive, Matthew arrives at his destination. A tall, wide, pristine, onyx color building stands before him. The name on the outside reads, Capernaum Federal Bureau of Monetary Control.

He enters through the revolving doors. The entrance is impressive. It stretches on forever and blends together in a stark white color. The guards wear all black uniforms with red insignia patches and stand out like a sore thumb against the white background. They carry long metal rods that have coils of wires at the top. Neural batons, when they make contact with your skin they form a electrical circuit that sends a jolt of electricity that courses through your body which shorts out your muscle functions.

Matthew makes his way to the employee security check point.

"Empty your pockets into the tray, place it and your bag on the belt." The guard instructs him.

Matthew's possessions are sent down the line through a small scanner and on to a guard who physically opens the bag, checks every item in it and the tray. Then records them into a database.

Matthew steps up to the personnel scanner, a tall, long, rectangular machine.

"Step in sir." Says the guard.

The side walk carries Matthew through as it scans him every which way possible. Metal detection, x-ray, magnetic, odors, you name it. As he passes through his skeletal image and all relevant scan data is displayed for the guards to interpret on a screen that covers the entire side of the machine. Matthew steps out and the guard at this end instructs him.

"Take all of your possessions and proceed to the elevator lobby, do not linger."

Matthew complies and heads for the elevators.

While he waits Matthew hears footsteps and turns to see Clyde walk up.

"Hey Matthew."

Matthew turns around. "Oh, hey Clyde."

The elevator dings and greets with a feminine voice. "Welcome." The doors open and they enter.

"Twelfth and Thirty first floor." Clyde says. "You are headed to your cubical, right?."

The doors close and the elevator races upward.

Yea." Matthew responds. "You late too?"

"Nah." Clyde's digital pad chimes, he takes it off his belt and checks it. "Had to run an errand for work."

He looks back up at Matthew. "Say, you don't look so good, rough night?"

"You don't know the half of it."