ring, ring ! ✆

As I hear the ringing sound, I quickly step in. Eager to get more money out of this, Another 50 bucks that I can put in my pocket, and just for picking up some stupid phone. Actually a bit surprised that there were phone booths that still worked... but at least I have a place to get out of the rain, water falling into my eyes. I use my hand to brush my hair back and once again focus on the ringing sound.

Hello? - I pick up the phone and listen interestedly.

Good morning Alister, it’s a pleasure to meet you “in person”.

I don’t think I understand...

Let me tell you a little about myself, my friend. I promise the story will be short. I’m feeling in a gracious mood, so I will let you live for a bit longer than you deserve. You will be my therapist for today. Is that okay?

Is this some kind of joke? Did somebody put you up to...

Don’t interrupt me, Alister. I said gracious... I didn’t say everlasting - The voice of a young woman seems amused. As if she has done this speech before. As if this wasn’t her first “rodeo” - I did bad things in my life before. I killed people. So many of them... - her voice becomes deeper as she keeps on talking - They weren’t good people, most of them deserved what happened to them...

Okay, I don’t know what all this is about, but I’m leaving. This was so not worth the...

Alister! - Her voice turns colder. No more joy in her left - Don’t interrupt me, please. I am being very kind to you, and I advise you not to leave so fast... Do you see those cables attached to the side of the glass doors... That’s right... they are connected to some highly dangerous explosives, and if you were to step out, well.... Puuuff ! Bang you go. You wouldn’t want that, would you now, my friend?

She asks and I look around again. Noticing not only strange cables but also some weird machinery under the phone. My brain starts to work faster. The guy in the suit that gave me the money - there was something weird about him.

I see that you’re looking around. Good. You are smarter than I thought. It pays to be patient sometimes and think things through. Don’t you think?

Yes, I guess... - I say slowly, my eyes scanning the small place. I didn’t want to get the crazy woman mad before I wasn’t sure that all of this was over. I feel sweat start to drip as I remember her words “I see that you’re looking around” Could she really see me? My heart starts to hammer faster as I listen to her and her “therapist hour” Was this seriously happening, or was I still asleep? No more horror movies for me before bad that’s for sure, and if this was true...

Good, good. I’m glad that we established the basics. Now let me tell you about the men I killed... - She starts and her voice once again turns deeper... almost mesmerizing and stopping me from thinking clearly - The so-called businessmen, who murdered others just to increase their bank account or their need for power. Corporate sharks who wanted nothing more to see then their ratings go up and others to fail miserably. There were those who played the big bosses and executed revenge like it was just their hobby.

Explaining what they did just by one word - her voice turns darker now - That word was “family”. It wasn’t about the real thing, just an extended version of their growing kingdom. The need for fear among others and collecting other scumbags such as them, to provide company and even more fear... and of course there were the obvious bastards, who always wanted more than they could swallow...

The lowlifes that just wanted too much and took things too far. Whatever the explanation, they deserved it. Deserved exactly what happened to them... or at least that’s what I told myself while ending their lives. Now I wasn’t some free spirit savior of the mankind who knew better and wanted to save the world from all the evil and mayhem... no, that wasn’t the case.

I was just doing my job and receiving payment for my services. A very generous payment, for the thing that I was so good at. And I was good at killing. I was good with using my gun. I was good at surviving against all odds and not letting my past catching on to me... I left everything behind, even if the knife was constantly on my throat. Because I never played by the rules. I did what I had to do, I followed through, but I never stayed too long to face the consequences.

Long enough for my enemies to find me. And trust me, they sure tried... Are you still with me Alister? Am I not boring you with this?

No... not at all - I say in a weak voice. This had to be a nightmare. It just had to...

I’m glad. You see my friend. There aren’t that many people that I can share this part of my life with. So I use every chance I get... and since I’m not really religious or go to the church... would probably burn in the threshold anyway...

There is a short bitter laughter when she speaks and something else in her voice that I just can’t read, maybe it was regret.

...Now, where was I ? Ah yes, they tried to catch me, but I was faster. And even if sometimes they thought they had me, I showed them why it was a mistake to think so in the first place, because some people never learn.

And there was one more glitch to my character, from their side of course. All in all,

no matter how much my employees thought they owned me, I was never really for sale. I took my payment that’s true, any professional would because we take what we earned for and fight for our reputation.

Because we worked hard for it, and what we do, isn’t a piece of cake or a Sunday stroll down a sunny park. No. What we do is dangerous and lethal. But we do it good and we are worth every penny. The best at our profession.

However, I was not a sellout. I didn’t stay just because the money’s was good and they thought they could keep me with them, because of the cash... or the threats.

But it doesn’t work that way with me. I leave when I want to. Not When I’m told to.

I do it by my own rules. And that gets me into trouble... and I enjoy it all the way.

What can I say? I like to stay in shape.

And nothing gets the blood pumping more, than the rush of adrenaline in the morning.

Yeah, we all have issues, don’t we? - She asked after a moment of silence, her mood lifting unexpectedly.

Yes... everybody has issues...

Isn’t that the truth Alister. Isn’t that the truth... - I can almost see her head nodding while she says this - Now, you may ask, how a girl like me got into this mess? Well, I’ll tell you. Completely on my own and never looking backward’s in the process. I do what I do and that’s fine. Even though sometimes I have a couple of sleepless nights. After all, even a person like me has feelings... Surprising? Maybe. But not that much. I have my own rules, that keep me up-float, that keep me sain.

First of all, I don’t kill good people. People that just got in the way of the ruthless monsters, that though it was “okay” as longest they got their way. Ah, the selfish and narcissistic sociopaths... my best clients. Always eager to do the worst possible thing. I do get paid well because of them.

But let’s face it. This isn’t a game between the good and the evil, or the light and the dark. No, this was about revenge, the need of power and dealing with unnecessary baggage that I was hired to take care of... because someone didn’t know when to keep their mouths shoot. Because some wanted to have a bigger piece of the cake, because we all had bad intentions somewhere deep down inside. It just happened that some were more persistent in doing bad things than others... Dangerous things that brought them doom.

But look at me, talking rubbish. Sounding like one of those men, that stand in the middle of New York and shout things about the apocalypse and the evil hand. I guess I’m in a philosophical mood today. Rambling on, when the only thing that there is to say is, that this is my job. Finito. I work in this “business”, I get paid and I’m good at what I do. Trained to be successful and efficient.

She says and I can feel that’s the wrapping up her little sketch.

Well Alister, any last words before we begin? And by the way, thank you for being so cooperative about this. You made this almost too easy for me.

I’m not Alister... - I say in a surprisingly calm voice.

Of course, you’re not. No one is ever who they’re supposed to be when they are talking to me. Surprising right?

Says this strange woman, her voice calm and delicate... then she bursts into laughter. And it’s not a sinister one, like on the movies. Her laugh is almost soothing, like chime bells or beautiful music of sorts. This day was getting more bizarre by the second. My mind is strained but I try to focus, this probably being my last chance before it’s all over.

I’m really not this Alister guy. I’m really not... - I rush the words before she can stop me - I guy in a brown suit told me to step into this phone booth. He...

Now, now, no need for lying. You don’t want to be judged by the all mighty when you reach the heavens, don’t you? Or is it some Buddhist god, or are an Atheist? But what am I saying, with your records, there is no way you’re going up... Only straight down to Hell for you...

She finishes and once against laugh, though this time it sounds more embarrassing.

As if she was apologizing for getting off the topic.

No! I’m telling the truth. My name is Tom, and this strange guy, asked me to get in here and gave 50 bucks for it. It seemed strange but I thought it was

free cash so...

My dear friend, this is completely unnecessary. Whatever you say to me, this will end badly for you.

No, I can prove it!

Oh? Okay “not Alister” what do you have in your defense?

She sounds amused and apparently has free time to spare.

This guy... in the suit. He told me to pass something to you...

I reach into my pocket and the piece of paper I got before.

Alright, amuse me... - Her voice sounds more serious now.

He told me to tell you and I quote “Rule 254, shouldn’t be broken more than 292 times. If so, there will be consequences” - I take a deep breath - ”...you can’t run away forever J.”

I stop reading and hold the receiver higher in my hand. My heart hammering as if all the hell broke loose. I wait and there is a long moment of silence.

Remind me something, what did you say your name was?

It’s Tom. Tom Riley...

Another couple of seconds of silence.

Brown suit, you said?

Yes, an odd looking guy. Had a small scar just underneath his right eye.

I hear static and something shifting in the background as my knuckles turn white, my grip getting tighter and tighter. Faint hope sipping through.

Hold on Tom, I have to check some information first.

She sounds like a serious office worker now. All business like.

Oh... yeah... sure, I will wait.

I say in a weak voice, promising myself never to earn an easy 50 in my life. I wait there, my whole body trembling. After about 3 minutes, I hear a clicking sound.

Well... Tom Riley. You are free to go. The lock on the door is now open. You may leave. I apologize for this little misunderstanding. You can forget this conversation ever happened. Am I clear here?

Crystal...

I say as the phone connection brakes... leaving only faint static. I put the phone down and stare at the door, still in shock.

There is a little click sound and the glass door opens by itself.

I walk out slowly in a daze and swear to never take anything that’s for free.

................................................................................................................