The Collector Read Free Page A

packed too tightly together. Only scrolling tickers and digital billboards add any sort of color to the smog infested sector. SPARE LIVES BY SELLING YOURS appears on a ticker, while mugshots of the same four Brigade Leaders crowd a billboard screen.
    Halfway up one of the skytowers is Neil’s apartment. Sleek and modern in design, a large glass window overlooks the neighboring skytowers illuminated at night.
    Neil presses a DAILY RATIONS button to release a short burst of water in the shower. A digital display ticks down from 8L, 7L, 6L before the water shuts off. He presses the button again to bring another quick burst. 5L, 4L, 3L. It’s not much. Even Neil’s status as a Collector doesn’t warrant extra rations. The water drips from Neil’s body, highly decorated in faded scars, mostly memories from past assignments gone wrong and fights at Reform School. He grabs a towel.
    Neil moves to the living room where a Newscaster reports on the television.
    “Coming up, a bombing in Sector A claims the life of another Collector…”
    Neil stops and stares at the image of Benson, a fellow Collector, side by side with the aftermath of an explosion. Just hours ago they were mingling in the bullpen back at Agency Headquarters, and now he’s dead. Neil knows tomorrow Benson’s photo will be removed from their roster and added to the bulletin board of those killed in action.
    The Newscaster continues, “Though unconfirmed, sources say the Brigade again claims responsibility for the attack. More after the break.”
    Neil remains stoic, no reaction. Danger is part of the job, while emotions are not.
    An Agency infomercial takes over just as there’s a knock on the door. The soothing voice onscreen goes through a tempting pitch, “Before my partner sold his life, we had little money and too many mouths to find water for. Now, my kids and I are happy. Every day’s a joy!”
    Neil opens the door to reveal Paulina, an Agency-issued call girl, barely twenty, gorgeous even with her body bundled in an overcoat. She eyes Neil’s dripping torso in the towel.
    “Not wasting any time, are we?”
    She brushes past him with two glass bottles of water in hand – shaped like bottles of wine – and sets them on the counter.
    “I brought these to celebrate. The water’s still chilled.”
    Neil furrows his brow, “What’s the occasion?”
    Paulina removes her overcoat to reveal a satin black dress with lace garters. It’s sexy, but Neil doesn’t notice. Instead he shuts off the television just as the soothing voice is in the middle of the tagline, “Spare Lives By Selling—”
    “It’s our last night,” Paulina says.
    “Why? You volunteer?” Neil moves to a digital fish tank mounted on the wall and uses an interactive touchscreen to feed the virtual fish.
    “God no. We’ve done four sessions already,” Paulina reminds him. “I don’t know who they will assign next, but I guarantee she won’t be as good.” Paulina slips her dress over her shoulder, seductively posing. “What do you say, Neil…Will you miss me?”
    Neil finishes with his fish before looking at her, blunt. “No.”
    Paulina drops the act, all business. “Good. You’d be in trouble if you did.” She struts towards the bedroom. “Let’s get on with this. I have other sessions tonight.”
    Later in the bedroom, Neil thrusts Paulina from behind while she still wears the dress and lace garters. It’s nothing less than mechanical. Sweaty emotionless sex.
    “I think it’s love,” Wade says as he smiles at Neil, his depressed demeanor from yesterday a thing of the past.
    The two Collectors eat at a booth in a downtown diner – Dani’s Diner – each with a large glass of water in front of them. As before, they wear their black combat uniforms, which easily makes them stand out from the others, even from Security Enforcement Officers dressed in blue attire. Everyone knows the sleek black jumpsuit is the highest sign of power and authority.
    Wade points