The Book Keeper Read Free Page B

frivolities. I preferred to have control of my own destiny, and not having another person choosing my pathway in life.
    Play the game.  Play it better.
    I was personally escorted up to the 28 th floor of CAI, hand-scanned for entry and then personally escorted to my new office.  I shared it with no-one, personally. Thank heavens it was not sterile white.  Instead it had three different wall colours – blue, green and purple, plus an entire wall of floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city.
    My drawing desk was white, the work desk white, and my high backed leather chair white.
    I had only settled into my new flashy office for about ten minutes when Mr Rubin walked in unannounced.
    ‘Mr Darcy, I trust that you are happy with your office and location.’  His voice was serious, no frills.
    Play the game.  Play it better.
    ‘Yes, thank-you Sir.’  Politeness was not warranted, but part of the game.
    ‘Your designs Mr Darcy.  Update me at 2pm daily, without fail, without tardiness.’
    He drummed his knuckles on top of the desk, his eyes piercing mine with icy coldness.  Then he turned and left the room.
    Rude bastard.
    I looked around my little abode to find the security cameras. Maximum security meant that I was being watched at all times. I located the cameras, all five of them.  According to my calculations, they had a blind spot with their overlap.
    I could have perfect invisibility if I played my cards right.  I would need mirrors though to rebound an image of myself working.  The plan formed in my head.  The prototype designed.  I would work on the device at home and then bring it in when it was ready.  
    I felt happier about my circumstances now, if that were at all possible.
    At 2pm, I descended a level to Mr Rubin’s office.  White girl was there.  I bowed my head and smiled at her as I walked past.
    ‘Mr Darcy, Mr Rubin is waiting for you,’ she squeaked, exposing me to her blinding white teeth.  I squinted as a walked past her.
    I entered the open door of Mr Rubin’s office. The back of his red high backed chair was facing me, again.
    ‘Mr Darcy , you are two minutes late.  I despise tardiness.  You and I will get on better if you lose the trait of bad time management. Project details.’
    And I despise bad manners Mr Rubin. I doubt that we will ever get along …..
    Play the game.  Play it better.
    ‘I have spent a large portion of my time today revisiting my design, making notes.  As you are aware, the mind reading communication device was only a creative outlet for my mind, a purely science fiction piece of work.  I will need you to give me details on the anatomy of the brain and eye, medical procedures and also a time line, to see if I can produce what you are wanting in this field of communication.  I also cannot guarantee that this idea of an eye implant for mind reading will work. Furthermore, I request a flexible time schedule, to allow me to come and go as I see fit.  For instance to visit medical universities for research, to watch eye or brain surgeries , and to visit places of creative inspiration. And..I do not need a personal taxi, or escorting on or off the premises,’ I asserted in a polite manner.
    Mr Rubin stared at me, his left hand supporting the weight of his bald shiny head in a pencil grip formation under his chin, as if in deep contemplation of my debriefing and request.
    I maintained eye contact with him , my blue eyes to his cold callous black beady eyes.
    ‘I shall permit all of your requests, except the personal taxi service and escorting onto and off the premises.  I repeat to you again Mr Darcy.  You are currently our most valuable employee, and we look after who and what we value. You may vac ate my office now. 2pm again tomorrow, and daily unless I choose to change the time to suit my needs.’  His voice was void of emotion, very business like. He turned his sterile red high backed leather chair away from me.  Rude bastard .  I turned and