The Collector Read Free Page B

to his PDA to clarify his statement, reading from the screen, “ How do you let go of this? When the feeling still lives on. How do you abandon this? A natural creation. ” His eyes return to Neil. “It’s a little more cryptic than usual, but it’s about love.”
    “Why would Quado write about love?” Neil asks. “It’s probably a jab at the Agency.”
    “Interpret it how you will, but not everyone is so openly against us. Especially Quado.” Wade continues with his line of thought, reading the last line again, “ A natural creation .” He lingers on the words, smiling. “That’s love. Love is the most natural thing.” He points to an older couple at the next booth over. “Behind you, they’re in love. Even the waitress over there.”
    He refers to a waitress named Paiton, twenties, her hair tied back and the pink hue in her cheeks matching her lips. She’s full of life as she serves the customers, a stark contrast to the dreariness cast over the city.
    “She’s glowing. Only love can make someone that happy.”
    Neil doesn’t care. He focuses on his meal.
    “Don’t you think we could do our jobs better if we were allowed that?” Wade questions.
    “I do my job just fine,” Neil counters.
    He finishes his water, then heads for the register. Wade follows. Within moments Paiton rings them up. Wade was right, up close she is glowing.
    “Is that all for you boys today?” she asks enthusiastically.
    Neil nods. She hands him a pen, “If I could get your badge numbers…”
    Paiton waits while Neil writes on the back of the bill. She smiles at Wade, tucking her hair behind her ear. There is a slight sense of familiarity between them, like two kids with a shared secret and the joke is on everyone else.
    Just then, a Bearded Bum alone at the counter causes a fuss as Neil and Wade prepare to leave.
    “How come they don’t have to pay?” the Bearded Bum speaks out.
    “They’re Collectors, sir” Paiton responds.
    “Without my tax dollars they wouldn’t exist, so how ‘bout I get some more water here?”
    Wade taps Neil for them to intervene, but Neil continues out.
    “Sir, just calm down,” Paiton tries to diffuse the situation, but the Bearded Bum works himself up.
    “It’s the most expensive thing on the menu!” he exclaims.
    Outside on the sidewalk, Neil brings up their next assignment on his PDA. The only information they are given is a name, location, and Collection Date & Time.
    “We just gonna let him start a riot?” Wade asks.
    “It’s not our job.”
    Wade’s eyes plead, still a rookie. Neil relents. He flags down a Security Enforcement Officer patrolling nearby.
    “Hey, bearded guy inside at the counter. Get him out of there.”
    The SEO nods before heading inside. Neil turns back to Wade. “Happy?” he asks.
    Wade reads over the receipt from their meal. “Somebody is. Look. She drew a heart. See, she must be in love.”
    “Or she wanted a tip,” Neil quips.
    Wade shakes his head in disbelief. “You sure are cold, Neil.”
    They pass a brick wall covered in graffiti on their way to the parked utility vehicle. Standing out from the collage of artwork and Sector gang names – each spray-painted over one another throughout the years – are two words bolded beneath the image of a black silhouetted figure: WHO’S QUADO? The same image can be found sprinkled throughout the walls in many Downtown alleyways.
    Just then, sounds of a scuffle steal their attention as across the street, another SEO splits up a young man and young woman holding hands.
    “Penal code 11.15.b, no public displays of affection,” the SEO announces. He continues with the proper protocol, “Papers. C’mon, hand ‘em over. Let’s see some ID.”
    The couple obeys, but the young man fidgets as the officer reviews their documents.
    “This is expired,” the SEO exclaims. He immediately cuffs the young man’s hands. The young woman protests, but the Enforcement Officer whirls around with steel eyes,