Between The Lines

[Sandra Erickson]

*I walk briskly down the hallway. I come to a door with a little silver plaque, reading my name. I smile, knowing this office is, in fact, mine. I produce a small bronze key, as the door was locked. I hear a satisfying clack and turn the knob. The door eases open, and I see the welcoming sight of all my equipment already arranged the way I like it.*

Hello, my lovelies. *I murmur, sitting down to my new desk. I turn on the main computer, and the machinery starts to whir softly. Soon the monitor turns bright blue.

Welcome, Sandra! *A mechanical voice says. The databases and files from the other base have been replaced with new information. I open the file for DU 8 and begin to scan through the profiles.*

[Sandra Erickson]

*Unit 8 has some impressive dracs. I see the profile for Riley Wilson, the drac I met on my arrival. His records show exactly what I expected. Cold, calculating. Perfect drac, in essence. They all seem to be fairly normal. Everyone has quirks, but there isn't any one person that seems especially off to me.*

Silly normal people....no fun. No fun at all. *I shake my head, laughing to myself. I close the file and see they have a killjoy database. I open it and am surprised to see the number of killjoys they have records on. I close everything and spin around in my chair. The small office is fairly cramped but otherwise bare. Why would one expect anything different? Decor is unnecessary, just like the emotions so blatantly hated in the corporation.*

[Belle Sacramento]

*I make my way throughout the Tower, moving from one wing to another as I make my final rounds. The medical wing is first, and the psychology department next. Upon passing the front desk I'm handed a file of daily reports, and I explain that I'm no longer the recipient of such folders. Moving higher up, I pause by a recently refurbished room. Just because I'm leaving the day after tomorrow doesn't mean I can't greet new employees, after all. I exchange a few words with a passing agent, then knock on the door*

[Sandra Erickson]

*A knock sounds at the door, interrupting my musings. I open it and see a woman I recognize as one of my superiors.* Hello, ma'am. How may I help you? *I certainly wasn't expecting an assignment so soon. But, this IS Battery City, and they are the more advanced division of Better Living.*

[Belle Sacramento]

*I smile, seeing the neatly ordered desk and quietly humming computer. It seems the woman has already started making herself at home* Good morning. Miss Erickson, I believe? I'm Ms. Sacramento, and I just thought I'd stop by and welcome you to the tower. No fear, I won't be the first to hand you a stack of paperwork.

[Sandra Erickson]

Nice to meet you Ms. Sacramento. *I let out a small chuckle at her paperwork comment.* Thank you for that, too. *I stand awkwardly at the door, wondering if she expected me to ask her in or not.

[Sandra Erickson]

Well, if you don't mind Ms. Sacramento, I hope to proofread all of the individual files by day's end. It was nice talking with you. Have a Better Day. *I say after a quiet moment. Ms. Sacramento nods and bids me goodbye. When she turns away, I close the door, relishing the satisfying click. I am a woman who enjoys her alone time.*

[Sandra Erickson]

*As I had planned, I eventually fish through all the drac files, printing out several for further prying. I turn and grab them from the printer, the paper still warm from the press. I file them away in a conveniently provided cabinet, and turn back to the screen. I open up a Word software from back in the day and begin to type.

*By the time I am finished it is rather late. I gather the necessary things for my departure from the office and stand up. I'm a little off-balance from the long hours of sitting, but this is nothing new. I turn the light off and close the door behind me, locking it with my little key. As I walk out of the hallway I bump into what appears to be a Crow.*

Oh, my....I'm so sorry! *I say as his things and mine get mixed up. I bend down to gather the papers, as does he.* I'm usually not this clumsy...oh, that's a lie. I'm a total clutz! *He chuckles and I seem to have everything back in my hands.*

I'm Sandra. I just got transferred today. Would you happen to know where Appartment Complex 2D is?

[Sandra Erickson]

*The Drac directs me to the right place and I thank him. I also apologize for bumping into him and see him off. When I enter the right room I let out a small, relieved sigh. There's a nice little bed waiting for me, already dressed with sheets and pillows. I don't bother doing anything else, and I fall into a contented sleep.

[time jump to the next morning at the Tower]
Good morning. *I say cheerily to the receptionist, who looks rather anxious this morning. SHe barely acknowledges me. I shrug it off and continue to my office. I pick a spot of grime off of the otherwise pristine plaque on the door and enter. My office is exactly how I left it. I immediately sit down and turn on the master monitor.*

Good Morning, Sandra! *my trusty computer chirps. I haven't much to do today, so I quickly read over a set of guidelines sent by Ms. Sacramento that night. In her message, I see that she is being transferred. I frown slightly, but then shrug. It's her life.*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*40... 41.... 42. Here we go. I pause to read the nameplate before knocking. Opening the door a bit, I look in and smile at the woman sitting behind the desk, who seems a bit surprised that I didn't wait for her to open the door herself.* Hello, there. Your office is the forty-second door I've passed on this floor. Can I come in?

[Sandra Erickson]

*I look up at the man, and try to regain my composure. He startled me a bit.* Oh, uh, sure thing. *I wave him in, turning to face him in my chair.*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I spot a chair in one corner of the office and pull it over to the desk, sitting down and leaning back. I'm completely at ease, gazing around the small room at the neatly ordered shelving and spotless window glass* Nice place you've got here. A bit boring, though, don't you think?

[Sandra Erickson]

Well....*I look around at the rather drab room.* It does the job, doesn't it? *I smile at the stranger and realize something.* Oh wow, look at me, being so rude! I'm Sandra Erickson, I just got transferred. *I feel a bit ran silly just spouting off those facts like a little wind-up toy.*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I grin and hold out a hand* Nice to meet you, Sandra. I'm Alexander Ludovico, but you can call me Vico. I've been in Cali for a couple of years now, but I'm switching units at the moment. Where are you from?

[Sandra Erickson]

*I shake his hand and try to offer a genuine smile this time instead of a fake one.* Ah, I used to be in the Technical Department at BLI New York. But they needed an analyst here....so here I am!