James Talbot checked his watch and decided to quit wasting time.
“Okay here’s what we have in store for us this week, people.”
He keyed a command into the computer console and an itinerary with the Dream Quest logo flashed into view.
“All of you will be very busy.”
Talbot looked at his chiefs of staff, one at a time, indicating each with a glance, as he pointed out a section on the schedule.
“Templar, you’ve got weapons drill this week. You’ve got four days to prepare the new batch of customers for the Agincourt recurrence.”
Templar groaned inwardly it was bad enough that Talbot had saddled him with the prospect of turning CPA’s into would be knights, but he also had one of them butchering the St. Crispin’s Day speech to look forward to. Outwardly he smiled; he knew better than to rock Talbot’s boat. He had seen too many people left to drown.
“Yes sir.”
“Seduction “
Talbot continued not bothering to listen to Templar’s reply.
“As usual you’re in charge of the R&R department. I want you to start paying more attention; things in your division are really going down.”
“Going down is part of the job description.”
Seduction flashed a smile that would make the pope consider celibacy a quaint notion, but Talbot was unmoved.
“Save the feeble attempts at humor for our clients. In addition, I want you to start charging them for everything they’re getting. Dream Quest is about my needs not yours.”
“Phoenix-child”
“Could you just call me Alex? It hard for me to get respect from the client as a doctor with these silly nicknames you have us use.”
“No. First off, the long answer the names are part of the illusion that Dream Quest provides. We are bigger, cooler and more powerful than reality. Short answer I don’t care what your problems are. You’re not a doctor except where I allow you to practice and if you want to go back to that job hanging out with the Dalmatians the ferry leaves every night at 7:00. I want you to be more liberal when prescribing mood enhancing medicine. Our clients are not paying to be in pain or usually even in their right mind.”
“Vagabond pick up the guests at 10:00 and stop wearing your leathers when you’re driving the limo. The client pays extra for scenery and that include you.”
Talbot’s gaze swiveled to the last of the division heads present, a small oriental girl barely out of her teens.
“Grimoire, I want . . . “
The door to the office slammed open and a tall lanky man in a black leather duster strolled in.
“Dusk, how nice of you to make it, and only ten minutes late. I think you’re slipping.”
Talbot turned back to Grimoire .
“Grimoire I want you to download all the new documents we received from Dunwich into the computer and have new quests plotted by 1200 tomorrow.”
“I haven’t finished translating them yet. I don’t think we. . .”
“You got it correct right there. You don’t think. Just do it.”
Talbot turned to look at Dusk and his face took on a different air. Talbot didn’t respect anyone but himself but when Dusk was around, He at least tried to give the impression that he did.
“As for you I need a break down on how long it will take to get a new Beast bred and aged to replace the one you removed from service yesterday.”
Talbot then turned and strode from the room denying anyone the Dusk for more discussion.
Dusk sat down into a chair facing the other division heads but he body didn’t seem to relax an iota.
“So did I miss anything?”
“Just Talbot being an asshole.” This, from Phoenix-child.
“I’m sure I’ll see that again. Another week of hell while he rakes in a million a customer just for telling us what to do.”
“Well he did come up with the idea for Dream Quest.”
Grimoire stated tentatively.
“I doubt it. Talbot isn’t creative. He has only one talent, manipulation. And someday he’ll overplay his hand and I’ll get what’s coming to me.”
Templar spoke as he rose from his seat.
“Considering that Talbot probably has this whole place bugged that’s a certainty Templar.”
Templar grimaced as he walked out the door. Seduction and Grimoire followed a moment behind him. Phoenix-child slumped into one of the chairs next to Dusk and watched the trio leave.
“I wonder why any of us are still here.”
“Well Alex. That would be because you broke protocol on that experimental drug to give it to that child. Cost you your licenses didn’t it.”
“How did you know that all our files are supposed to seal when we start working here.”
“Seals were meant to be broken.”
Vagabond’s soft chuckle drew Dusk’s attention.
“Is there something funny about that?”
“Just trying to figure something out. Talbot has something on all of us. He lets Phoenix- child practice medicine again, he bankrupted Templar’s company, and he outright owns Seduction. But Talbot watches his step around you and that means you have something on him and that intrigues me.”
“It Intrigues you. That’s a big word for a girl who made her living stealing vehicles a couple years ago.”
“Yeah, I got a record and Talbot is holding 15 years over my head if I don’t play ball. But of all of us you are here by choice, and I’ll find out why one of these days.”
Vagabond leaned in close to Dusk’s face with a fierce look of determination. Then a playful smile erupted on her face, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“One way or another”.
She sauntered away.
Alex buried his face in his hands.
“And to think I gave up a future filled with the certainty of a fiery death to come here. I used to think I would give up anything to get my license back but at least there I was still saving lives.”
Dusk stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You know what the Chinese say, be careful what you ask for you just might get it.”