The elevator
-Do you live on one of those levels? Asked the doctor, quite surprised to be hiding outside of a completely black building. Loads and loads of people with expensive costumes kept walking in and out day and night.
-I mean, yeah, my father owns the whole building. My apartment is on the last floor,though. It will be hard to get to the elevator without getting attention from the employees. I looked back at the scientist who seemed to think for a moment, his leather coat still hanging on the actuator.
-I can’t climb the tower either, the cameras around the building would definitely alarm the police. He was scanning every angle of the skyscraper with his metal arms. Sometimes, it looked like I was the one he was scanning, even though I couldn’t prove it, since he has sunglasses.
-Do the workers look at you? questioned the man.
-Huh? What do you mean ?
-Do they look at you? When you walk in? Do they greet and smile at you? Mr Osborn asked,putting his coat back,trying to hide the actuators under it.
-Sometimes,I guess. Most of the time they ignore me, they’re often too busy to talk to the boss’ child.
-Good. I have an idea.
-Wonderful! What is it?
-We’re going to walk calmly in the hallway.
-Okay, and after that?
-That’s it.
-What ? I don’t know if you understand the situation, but it clearly won’t work, old man!
-Hey, I’m not that old, snapped the old guy. He put his hand on his face, visibly irritated by stubbornness. Please, trust me, I’ve done those kinds of things before. I thought about other plans but they won’t work. We need to trust each other at least once. I need you to trust me on that, like you did with me on the river banks. He explained.
That was the stupidest and riskiest plan I’ve ever heard. And so I did.
Mr Osborn and I were walking alongside near the skyscraper, and told me to do exactly the same as I do normally. Walk in, go to the elevator in the back, press the buttons and go up.
Simple,quick.
My breath was getting heavier as we were standing outside of the entree. Are we really doing this? What if we get caught ? Oh god, what if my dad knows? My legs started to shake and sweat was dripping off my forehead, my respiration was getting shakier. This is weird, I don’t think I should’ve trusted him. . Two hands are delicately placed on my shoulders.
-Hey, are you alright ? whispered the doctor behind me. Don’t worry. I promise, you will be alright. Just do what I said. I know you can do it. His thumbs were rubbing on my back, trying to slow the heavy breathing. His grip was strong, he could probably crush a skull with his palms. What would he do to me if I said no? I’m not willing to know. After all, the camera knew we were here and if I stood there for too long then it would be suspicious.
I took a deep breath and stepped in.
Hundreds of people were walking around the huge place. Businessmen were all chatting about the stock market and mumbling over their phones. Sounds of high heels and expensive shoes were crossing the room hurriedly.The lights were always bright in the main level, and always seemed to blind everyone.
-And now, we’re heading towards the elevator at the back. Affirmed quietly the cyborg. He tapped on the upper half of my back.
Right, the elevator. Roaming around the hallway, a few greetings and fake apologies for pushing the other workers could be interpreted, but most of the noises were getting muffled by compression of all our bodies. We were moving slowly but surely through the crowd.
Then, A path opened before me. I grabbed Mr. Osborn's arm, walking quicker and quicker. We rushed for the last few meters. No one noticed the huge man with four metal snakes under his coat. When the door shut completely, we both turned to each other.
-See? I told you it would work. said the man with a satisfied grin. Standing proudly like a rooster in a coop. The elevator started to slowly move upward.
-But how? Were we lucky? How did you know everyone would ignore us?
-Well,do you know what is the brightest thing in the universe?
-It must be something like the Sirius star, I think.
He looked at me for a second and then smiled. Shit, I must look like an idiot, I don’t even know simple things like that.
-Well you’re quite close, Sirius is the brightest star. Still, it is quite impressive for high schoolers to know such things. Quasar always gets their show stolen by blackholes,which are the darkest thing in the universe. No one saw us because everyone was too worried about their own problems. No matter how extravagant we were, the darkness in their minds always takes the bigger place. The doctor seemed quite pleased to make a lecture about astronomy. His head was tilted upwards, probably imagining the glow of the stars in the sky, tracing lines to create new constellations. The face of Mr Osborn was lit up during his explanation, but it quickly faded as a light came up on the little screen. Someone called the elevator.
-Quick, help me hide the actuators. He nervously put his coat off, desperately trying to wrap them around.
The car was slowing down, I got closer to the man to make a human wall with him.
-I think I have a plan. The person coming up is probably my dad’s secretary. I asked the giant to bend so I could explain my plan. He listened, thinked and agreed to the plan sooner than I expected. He told me to keep it cool and take a deep breath.
The door opened on a small woman in her late 20’s, perfectly long brushed hair in a bun, a fine blue tailored suit and a warm smile on her face. Amanda was not the smartest one, but she was kind to me.
-Oh, hi Amanda! It’s good to see you, I hope my dad isn’t giving you too much to do.
-Greetings Mx Octavius, politely said the little woman. She then glared at the homeless looking man in the corner of the elevator. Her smile was now crisped.
-And who is that ? I don’t think I ever saw you in here.
-Hello, I am professor Osborn, pleased to meet you. He walked to shake her hand. His posture made him so tall that she looked like a child. Amanda gulped then shook his hand. Her fake smile turned into a disgusted face when she realized his gloves went somewhere dirty and wet. The secretary hesitantly entered.
-Can I ask you what are you doing here, professor? Her right hand was discreetly trying to wipe off the weird liquid, while the left hand was in her pants pocket. Wait, is she trying to call security?
-Well you should know, have you seen the file?
-What file, sir?
- I think he means my medical file, like you know, since he’s my new psychologist. I took a serious tone, like it was obvious. The woman was standing there, unable to respond. Of course, that file didn’t exist. The elevator went up.
-I’m truly sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Does your father know about that arrangement?
-Oh, young lady, we both know that he's too busy for that. If you don’t find the documents before 2 p.m, just send the general medical file. It’ll be good enough. sighted Mr Osborn, effortlessly acting irritated. He was a really convincing actor, maybe too much. His robotic arms weakly tilted at his anger.
-What is behind your back? asked the worker moving her head up and down to see what was behind us.
-Oh, well it’s,hum..
-It’s a bunch of objects from the junkyard, actually. That’s probably why the elevator smells like trash, I must apologize for the smell, it was my idea. Reusable materials are a way to connect with a client, knowing what they consider worthy or not and how they will use it for themselves.
-Well, that explains why you’re up so early. Amanda got out of the elevator as soon as the door let a little gap.
She said goodbye to both of us and walked away. We both exhaled when she was out of sight. I once again turned to Mr Osborn, who was already putting his coat back on.
-You were excellent! But you didn’t have to give her extra work. She’s working most of the time day and night. I don’t know how she’s still alive with all that coffee.
-I know,I wasn’t the kindest. But you just told me to act like your new psychologist, you could have helped me a little. grumbled the doctor. The car stopped once again but at the good level.
We stepped out of the elevator and stopped for a minute. That journey really drained us.
The apartment was gigantic. My dad thought an epurated and modern looking home would be good for me. The flat is fucking horrendous. I always hated it. No decoration or thing that stands out. Everything was either white or black. No personality, no charm. Always so..empty. But it could have been worse, I could not have a house at all.
I showed Mr Osborn the friend’s room and bathroom, and said goodnight to him. I really hope that guy finds what is going on. He doesn’t seem that crazy, after the demonstration of his intelligence and being witty. Should I be worried about him? His acting skills earlier were quite impressive.
What if he also acted around you?
…
Pretty sure he didn’t. He seemed genuinely lost. And if he did, that is a problem for me after I nap.