Versim Read Free Page B

hackers loved to mess with people in-V like that.
    “What?” she asked, glaring.
    “Nothing.”
    “This is funny to you?”
    “Not at all.” If this were a romantic comedy, now would be a great time for a kiss. The ratings would love that. But maybe not so soon. If he knew what his bosses were hoping for (a heavy drama, or maybe something light and funny, something dark), he’d know how to proceed. “Look, I’m here to help you.”
    “With what? Who were those men you killed?”
    “Bad guys. They’re after you.”
    “Why?”  
    “You’re a celebrity.”
    She nodded. That fib earned him some leeway. He hated starting off telling lies, but he had nothing to go on, and versim rules meant he couldn’t tell her the truth. She wouldn’t believe him, and it broke the cardinal ethos of the Rend-V industry that had become its slogan: It’s not Pretend in-V. It’s Real in-V .  
    He eased himself away from her to give her space. He was practically blind and deaf without Magdalena and her updates. He needed information. He needed his gear. Without her he was doing this one alone. They’d already forced him into the conflict within minutes of his arrival. It was most likely a fast-paced thriller—
    A knock on the door startled Celia so much that she jumped to her feet.
    “Shh,” Hark said, finger to his mouth.
    Another knock followed by a voice outside the door: “You order pizza?”
    Hark pointed at the bathroom. Celia stumbled off the bed and into the bathroom, shut the door, and locked it.
    Hark breathed deep. All his systems were primed as best he could make them. His AbSys wafer embedded below his gut had fully recharged. He gave the command and expanded his carapace—half defense, half offense. He also directed energy to his fists.  
    He yanked the door opened. In a blur, he snapshot the scene: a little guy wearing a dirty white-and-red pizza outfit, even a checkered hat. He carried a large pizza box that said Mino’s in red lettering. Hark snatched him off his feet and tossed him across the room with one hand. He made sure to avoid the wall so that he didn’t kill him. The guy careened into the bed, which saved him a few broken bones.
    Hark kicked the door closed and was on him before he could protest. “We didn’t order any pizza.”
    The guy raised his hands as if he might stop an oncoming car. “Is this 2B?”
    “Yes.”  
    “Shitballs, that’s what’s on the slip.” The guy began shaking. He wiped a greasy hand across his forehead. “You almost broke my neck.” His chest heaved. Hark could see a bit of sand beginning to form. “My goddamn neck!”
    “You’re fine.” Hark stepped back so the guy could stand. The directors also liked to introduce supporting characters right away. This one was definitely a natural human without a touch of aesthetic or physical enhancement. He looked more mouse than man. He’d be a perfect buffoon. He couldn’t be much more than 5’ 4”, tops. He had a bird chest and a huge Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as if trying to get out. His shoulders were narrower than his hips. He looked as if he had the typical anterior tilt to the pelvis that people who sat in front of computer monitors suffered. He also looked to be slightly pronated in the foot. “Who ordered the pizza?”
    “I don’t take the orders.” He sat up, hands on knees, scowling. “You gonna toss me around some more, or can I leave?”
    Hark looked at the open pizza box with the slices half up against the wall.
    We’re blown .
    He definitely had no idea what sort of Rend-V this was. He knew the antagonists were active and dangerous, but retro. Letting this guy go, under most scenarios would be the right move. In a few types of narratives, he’d have to make the hard decision about not letting him go. He just didn’t know yet if that was necessary.  
    The guy continued to stare at Hark, his eyes wide with fear.  
    “Oh, man,” he said and began rocking back and forth. “I knew I