Hell's Pawn Read Free Page B

himself in. At this point, that would probably be for the best.
    He a empted to backtrack along the route he had taken and soon came upon a building of massive proportions with large block le ers that declared it was
    “Administration.” The entire appearance of the building reminded J ohn of totalitarian architecture, a style that intimidated through sheer size and a generous amount of concrete. He stared, questioning the wisdom of his actions but unable to think of any other options.
    J ohn entered through the spinning door. I f he was a wanted fugitive, the woman behind the counter didn’t show any sign of it. The same lady who had been there before was still on duty. S he was petite, modernly fashionable, and wearing a completely false smile.
    “What can I do for you?”
    J ohn stared for a moment, realizing that he hadn’t prepared what to say. “I don’t know what to do,” he blurted out.
    The woman’s smile became even more forced.
    “Let’s take a look in your file,” she said.
    As they both stood motionless, J ohn realized that something was expected of him.
    Another person entered from the street, the footsteps echoing loudly in the hollow room. S oon a line would form behind him, which would only increase the pressure he was feeling.
    “I don’t have my file.”
    The smile disappeared. “R esidents are required to keep papers on their persons at all times, must consult them a minimum of three times per daylight period, and present them to any authority figure who requests to see them. Failure to comply can result in identity branding or therapeutic incarceration.” J ohn seriously considered running again. “W hat if someone loses their papers?” he ventured cautiously.
    “R eplacement of your file is subject to a 300-point demerit along with another 150-point demerit for processing.” The smile on the woman’s face returned as if she were beginning to enjoy herself. “I also see—” she glanced down at a screen in the desk, “—
    that you haven’t completed your acclimatization period and are not chaperoned, an offense that is punishable by—”
    “Lay off, Nancy,” said a voice from behind. “I ’ll pay for his file replacement, and I ’ll be his bleeding mentor.”
    J ohn turned, eyes widening with surprise when he saw Dante. G one was the safety-pinned leather jacket and S ex P istols T-shirt. I n its place was a finely cut suit that, while a li le outdated, still spoke volumes of his status. I f the clothing wasn’t enough, the scruff was gone from his face and his wild hair was neatly slicked back.
    Nancy balked, but soon recovered. “Application for mentorship must be registered in the presence of the official chaperone.”
    “So punish the original chaperone for failing in their duties,” Dante countered. “You can’t hold J ohn responsible, seeing how he’s not out of his acclimatization period. He hasn’t even had the rules presented to him, have you?”
    “No, I haven’t!” John said, still entranced by Dante’s transformation.
    “As I recall,” his would-be lawyer continued, “in the event that an assigned chaperone can no longer perform his or her duties, the responsibility passes to the nearest authority figure, which would be you.”
    “M e?” Nancy spu ered, finally losing her composure. “B ut I have my own duties.
    Chaperoning is a full-time engagement!”
    “Day and night, around the clock,” Dante agreed. “S till, he’s a quick learner. I ’m sure he’ll be out of your hair in a few months. Unless of course—” Dante broke off meaningfully, eyebrows raised and waiting for Nancy to make the next move. I t didn’t take her long. I n a flurry of activity and whirlwind of technical jargon, she handed over papers to be filled out and signed. J ohn felt like a newly purchased appliance as his file was presented to Dante and they were pushed out the door.
    Dante Stewart: 1,750 redemption points, a voice manifested from thin air.
    “We can