Fast-Tracked (26 page)

“No. But I will be,” I said. My lingering would only gain unnecessary attention, so I walked away, but over my shoulder, I whispered. “Take extra care with that package. It’s special.”

I wish I could have stayed to see Byron’s reaction to the action figure. Would he think it was a ridiculous gesture? Would he be angry at me for reminding him of a life he could no longer have? Or would he see it as symbol of hope, hope that one day we would again be together? In my dreams I imagined he saw it as
hope,
and in my dreams that hope grew large enough to push out the rest of the world, leaving only Byron and I in blissful solitude.

I practically ran into Mrs.
Glabough
when I exited the elevator.

“Oh, sorry,
Zandria
, I didn’t see you there,” she apologized. It was no wonder she didn’t see me. Her eyes were red and puffy. She looked liked she had spent the entire morning crying.

I didn’t know what to say. I thought she could barely stand Trisha. “Would you like to join me for a cup of tea?” I asked before I realized what I was saying. Mrs.
Glabough
surprised me by accepting.

She followed me to my apartment. Wendy quickly made us some tea and disappeared into her room. Mrs.
Glabough
and I sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity. She just kept stirring her tea, staring at it, but clearly not seeing anything.

“It’s my fault,” she finally said.

“What is?” I was suddenly confused; maybe it wasn’t Trisha that had her so upset after all.

“I was only trying to protect her, just like I do the rest of you. I know it might not seem like it, but I’m really just trying to guide you towards what is best for everyone.” Mrs.
Glabough
closed her eyes and shook her head. “But Trisha was just so stubborn. No matter how badly I treated her, or how clear I made it that she just didn’t belong, she was determined to succeed as a fast-tracker. Out of frustration I finally explained to her that only legacies remain fast-trackers. I hoped that would be enough to convince her to drop down to the silver level.” Sobs choked off her words.

“But Trisha didn’t react as you hoped,” I finished.

Wiping her eyes, Mrs.
Glabough
pulled herself together and continued. “No. The information infuriated her. She started blabbing to her friends and family about it. I tried to warn her how dangerous it was. But she wouldn’t listen. Over the years I’ve seen some of my girls suffer, but I had never lost one – until now.”

Mrs.
Glabough’s
grief completely took over. She started sobbing uncontrollably. I didn’t know what else to do, so I wrapped my arms around her and held her as she cried.

The next morning I explained to Wendy why classes had been canceled for the week and told her everything that happened between Avery and
I
.

She surprised me by asking, “And you’re somehow surprised that this happened?” I caught the anger in her voice.

“Of course I am. If I ever thought something like this would happen I would have done more to warn and protect them,” I protested.

“You know, you’re a bit of a hypocrite.” My face twisted in confusion. She glared at me. “You’re mad at Avery for being desensitized to this kind of thing, but so are
you.
” I started to argue but she talked right over me. “How many parties with servants have you been to? I was the only one you did anything about. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful, but if I hadn’t reminded you of your friend Camille, you would have turned a blind eye to me as you do all the rest. I just find it funny that you can sit here all pious and shocked when all along you knew this kind of thing was happening. The only thing you’re shocked about is that your friends don’t distinguish between an orphaned worker and a worker in fast-tracker clothing. Do you think it’s a coincidence that Trisha, the only one with a worker level origin, was targeted?” Wendy quirked an eyebrow at me and waited for my rebuttal.

I couldn’t argue. “You’re right.” I hung my head and dropped my shoulders. “I guess I was just holding onto the delusion that the girls and I were somehow more protected.”

Wendy surprised me again by giving me a hug. “I’m not blaming you. You couldn’t survive in this world of theirs if you didn’t become at least a little desensitized. Just don’t alienate everyone you know for doing the same thing. You might need their help in the future if you’re ever going to make any of the changes you told me about.” Releasing me from her hug, Wendy took a moment to study me and my reaction. She gave a satisfied nod when my face brightened and I smiled.

“I think it was more than a similarity to Camille that drew me to you. I need someone to help keep everything in perspective.”

Lariet
must have agreed, because he chose that moment to leap up on me.

“Good, then it’s settled. Today I’m joining you on your appointments.” Wendy scooped up
Lariet
and placed him in a large pocketbook-like bag I hadn’t noticed before. “Have dog.
Will travel.
You’re out of excuses so don’t even bother arguing.”

So I didn’t.

Wendy and I, with
Lariet
sitting in his doggie purse, arrived at Club Night at eight o’clock for my first appointment with
Mico
Leighton. There was no picture of him in the school’s database, so I was surprised to find out he was really young, still in his early twenties. I didn’t have to imagine what we looked like to him, because he made it clear the moment he opened his mouth. “So are you looking for the best birthday party, graduation party or anniversary party of the year?” He tried to sound polite, but the long sigh he released showed his annoyance at being told it was a business meeting when obviously all we were interested in was a booking.

I let my own annoyance show. “I’m not interested in a party, Mr. Leighton. As I stated yesterday, what I have for you is a business proposal. One I can complete without your cooperation, but I’d much rather move forward with you.” I sat down knowing I now had his full and undivided attention. “Do you mind if I call you
Mico
?” He nodded.

The meeting itself went better than I expected. He was initially furious when I told him I planned to take his business from him. Jumping up from his seat, he narrowed his hazel eyes at me and shook his head so his black hair flew around wildly. He threatened to ruin the business before he’d let me have it, but when I calmly reminded him he could either be a willing participant or a victim, he quieted down and listened to all I had to say.

My proposal was a win-win situation for him. His business did well, but would never make him rich, and would never raise him above his blue class level. If I took over his business he would by default become its CEO, a silver-level position. I knew from my studies that most of the time, when a business was taken, it was immediately dissolved and re-formed. It was an easy way for a fast-tracker to rid himself of an unwanted CEO. The discarded CEO would drop back down to their original rank. I explained to
Mico
that I wanted to retain him for his knowledge and expertise. He would retain complete control over Club Night, but also would oversee the eight new clubs I planned on opening.

“Now, there’s one thing that’s non-negotiable in order for me to work with you instead of against you,” I said as soon as I finished explaining my plan.
Mico
quirked an eyebrow; I could tell he had been waiting to hear just what the catch was. “I need you to place Club Night’s sound system in the rest of the clubs. I plan on having Club Night’s music pumped through the rest of the clubs to save the expense of individual DJs, but more importantly, I want the sound blocking technology you’re using. You don’t need to tell me how you accomplish it – just duplicate it for me.” I watched the emotions changing on his face as he contemplated my offer.

“So that’s what did me in, my sound canceling system. You noticed how easily you could talk and hear even though you were mere feet from the dance floor.” He paused, shook his head at himself. “If I agree to this how do I know you won’t turn around and stab me in the back?” He stood up so he towered over me, probably intending to appear threatening – but I didn’t let it faze me.

Standing up so I met his eyes, I said, “You don’t. So feel free to seek out the help of any fast-tracker connections you have. I assure you they’re more powerful than I am. They could easily quash my plans, but you’d also risk gaining their attention. Fast-trackers do have a tendency to covet what others want. I’m confident that they won’t offer you anything. They’ll simply have an expert come in and pick apart your sound system and then dissolve your company when they’re finished. You’d be out a business and a job. I’m trying to get ahead, but I’m trying my best to avoid ruining anyone in the process.”

I held my breath as I waited for his response. I tried not to look too anxious; my plan depended heavily on his cooperation.

Finally, he reached forward to shake. He said, “If you’re true to your word, I look forward to working together.” There was still worry in his eyes – but he was working with me now.

With my biggest hurdle of the day behind me, I headed out to my remaining appointments. Each appointment followed the same pattern. I walked in as if I owned the place and pointed the obvious out to the owner. Their business was failing and it was just a matter of time until they were forced to close. When that happened, they would be stuck with the business’ debt and if they couldn’t pay it off in their lifetime, it would be passed down to their children. Their income credits would be docked until the debts were repaid.

Next I informed the owners that I intended to help them. I would take over their business and in the process all their debt would be nullified. All I needed them to do was maximize their inventory in the next week, before I filed my paperwork. If they successfully increased their inventory I would reward them with ten percent of my profits derived from selling the surplus off and five percent of the value of the inventory I kept. It wasn’t enough to make them rich, but it would allow them to live comfortably until they found a new job.

Overall I couldn’t believe my luck. Nine of the ten store owners treated me like I was an angel sent to rescue them. Only one treated me like I was the devil incarnate, but he was still under the delusion that he could somehow recover from his ever mounting debt. His children stopped in right before I left, and seemed much more receptive to my solution.

The four restaurants I approached all agreed to order new replacements for all their kitchen equipment. The two furniture store owners eagerly sat down with me and pored through all their catalogs to identify the kind of chairs and tables I needed them to order. The two home goods stores helped me choose the most durable but trendy glassware and dishes, and one convenience store offered to only order non-perishable high end foods that would demand the highest profit.

Luckily the one reluctant owner ran the second mom and pop convenience store in my group. I wanted it for its location and not its inventory. That’s why I had chosen ten instead of eight businesses. I simply couldn’t find eight businesses that had the inventory I wanted
and
were all in viable areas. So selecting two more solely based on their location was the next best solution.

It took two days to complete all of my appointments, and both Wendy and I were exhausted, but we were both extraordinarily hopeful. For the first time I actually felt excited about my plan: now it seemed more of a reality than a long-shot. I wanted to share my good news with someone, but something told me not to confide in Avery or
Autumn
. They would either
disapprove,
snag the deals out from under me, or both. Besides, there was only one person I really wanted and needed to share my news with: Byron.

But that wasn’t possible; we’d risk being seen out in the park. And because of his tracker, he couldn’t visit me. So there wasn’t anywhere we could safely talk.

I put the idea out of my head and instead took a long, hot shower. It felt nice to get out of my heels and suit and slip on my favorite pair of jeans.

I took
Lariet
out for a walk after dinner, and then perched myself on the patio to watch Byron from a distance. I was glad I was finally doing something to help him, but it was nowhere near enough. But there was one benefit: the painful sting he caused in my heart fueled my determination to succeed.

Once more I dove into the recordings. Wendy offered to help, but I refused, insisting it was more important that she study. It was hard enough for me to fast forward through the fast-trackers’ encounters with servants. It seemed that all fast-trackers took perverse pleasure in tormenting them. I could only imagine the nightmares they would give Wendy, knowing it had almost been her.

Chapter 17

On Thursday I decided to head down to the cafeteria for lunch. I had been busy the last few days, but if I continued to stay away, everyone would assume I was frightened and in hiding. I headed to
Autumn’s
table, but my usual seat was taken, and she didn’t seem in a hurry to make me any space.

“Hey,
Autumn
,” I finally called when she still hadn’t acknowledged my presence.

“Oh, it’s you.” Her response was flat. Then she stood and walked into a far corner of the cafeteria. Unsure of what to do, I followed after her. She looked around – probably to make sure we couldn’t be seen by anyone. Without looking at me, she whispered, “I can’t be seen with you.”