experimental spirituality, trans-humanity crashes into alien technology, some wayward teen has to dramatically exit and decides to take out half his skool, war zones in the high street, low flying jet slams into some city skyscraper sending a trail of smoke into the lungs of the glamorous models in their designer evening wear, ruining their cat skin shoes and voodoo hairdo's. the battle for your mind, the war against truth, the conflict of the paradox, the arguments of contradiction, yeah the fabulous circus is just another theatre of absurd, business as usual.
i was freelancing back in those days, working cases for high bidders, mostly rich women nervous about cheating husbands and their mistresses. dirty work, but everyone's dirty if you look close enough. i was looking under the microscope, things were ugly. it was directly proportional to the population, more people more ugliness, i needed to get out, get out fast.
my saving plan was based around a small island outside the rim, trees, a beach, some clean water, the generic getaway plan was just around the next corner, a few more credits, an inch away, maybe one more case.
the old cafe was my office, i didn't even have a phone, clients who needed me knew how to find me, that was just the way i worked it. no phone no digital tail, no trail no clowns from the government chasing me, no clowns from the government means less stress more freedom and zero accountability. that's the space i like to live in.
i was leafing through a newspaper, same old stuff, i saw global conflicts, corruption and human degradation, mostly just opinion pieces and a tv guide. i flicked through the guide wondering what they show to people these days, mostly stuff i'd never heard of, reality shows, shows where you compete to start a new religion, infiltration shows, where individuals ingraine themselves close to a stranger, grooming and becoming friends, finding out all their personal secrets and then exposing them, there were tv shows where people assassinate victims, and the best assignation becomes a professional, there were shows based around relationship damage, where each individual competed against their partner to see who could fuck up the others life better. on it went, reality tv.
the old lady came over and handed me a latte, she threw an envelope at me, 'some lady left this for you.'
i threw the paper down and looked at the envelope, white, plain, no markings, not even my name. i opened it, pulling out a single square of paper.
my first thought was a phone number, but then it dawned on me i was holding a magic square. 15, what the hell, magic squares, who used magic squares nowadays, these types of sigils were prehistoric.
the old lady came at me with another coffee, she noticed the square and picked it up, she looked at it and smiled, 'ahh lo shu, i know this, it's lo shu.'
'loo shoe,' what the hell's loo shoe.'
'not loo shoe, lo shu captain, chinese. chinese square, gives power over water.'
she smiled at me as though i was a dumb beast, i must have looked like one as i had no idea what she meant. she continues, 'originally gift from turtle to emperor, numbers dots on shell shell. very famous folk story in old days.'
the dumb look remained, she knew it was a loosing battle, 'keep safe, protection from water, good sign.'
'madam wu, who left this for me?'
'tall lady, nice shoes, hat, fur coat.'
'when was she here?'
'yesterday, she chinese lady, we speak chinese, she like my soup.'
i flicked through some metal processes, the easiest solution was the 15, i figured it would equate to 3pm, a time to meet the chinese lady. that gave me nearly two hours.
i smoked some weed and ordered some food, watched the crowds walk by.
she was on time, walked into the cafe dressed in some sort of oriental outfit, looked glamourous and elegant, she was young, wealthy, i could tell by the fact she was wearing a thing string of huge pearls around her neck, plus the waiting limo outside had a chauffeur sitting patiently.
'captain mission, thank you for meeting me,' she sits down. i nod to mrs. whu, she potters off into the back room.
'it would have been easier to just write the time down, what's with the square?'
she looks at me intently, 'i need to be certain your reputation is accurate, i require your services.'
'oh so it was a test.'
'yes, a test, a challenge.'
wu comes out with some fresh tea and places a quaint cup and saucer down for the woman, then she bows and leaves us. i pour, 'okay well i assume i passed, let's talk.'
my name is mrs lee, my father is missing, he is the director of dragon pharmaceuticals. i received note from kidnappers, they want 50 million credits. they also sent me his finger, with his wedding ring. these people have given me one week, if i go to police they ask questions. so i am here.'
'you want me to get him back?'
'no, i want you to be my liaison, deliver a message to the kidnappers.'
'i see. you want me to take the 50 million to them and bring your father back.'
'no, i don't want my father back. i need you to go and tell them i am not interested in the return of my father. then kill them.'
'err i don't do assassinations ms lee.'
'well deliver the message, it's of no consequence if they live or die.'
'ms lee, what about your father?'
'he's old, outlived his peers, his wife and most of his friends. the company is mine, i don't see why i should give his kidnappers money. they are not very smart, they should have kidnapped me.'
'it's all about investments with you people isn't it.'
'yes, i'm willing to invest 50 thousand credits in your capacity to get the job done.'
i nodded, 50 thousand credits would get me over the line, it's a cruel world.
she reaches into her bag and pulls out a small m stick, everything you need to know is on this. she sips her tea and sighs, 'i have so much to do, my hair, my nails and a session with my transactional therapist, there are not enough hours in the day.'
when she leaves i wonder what its like to be the heiress of a massive industry, to have so much money you can do almost anything including allow your family members to die, it's inversely proportional to any sense of decency i thought. that was the real resource in the world, the one falling commodity people should invest in. but whatever evil energy lurks in the world at the moment crushes the decent qualities, its dog eat god in this hell of a city.
the memory stick shows a map, with a cross on the meeting place and the time, midnight. i'm driving over there now in a borrowed car, my display shows me the best route, the traffic conditions and a soft female voice whispers the directions, on the screen i swipe along to the photograph of the finger, the ring is beautiful, it's in strange conflict with the disembodied finger.
i pull up outside a dark warehouse, it's in the middle of the waste district, the stink is awful, rotting fish, the sound of water running, a few lights on the river but otherwise it's desolate and empty. i wander up to the side door and ring the bell as instructed.
the door stays shut but an envelope slides out from under it.
i pick it up and take it back to the car.
it contains a key and a typed address, a hotel room, in the city.
it's started raining, it's raining and cold, i adjust the heating and program the directions into the cars auto drive. i request some music, some music plays, 'guilt trip.'
the music starts, the sound system is excellent. eta 2 hours, i sit back and close my eyes.
the hotel is high end, only the super elite could afford to stay here, it's the type of place a royal family would stay, high ceilings, marble, servants to catch your ash and wipe the sweat from your brow, the chandelier was worth more than most streets in the city.
i went over to the lift and a woman in a red uniform asked me what floor i required, 'penthouse suite seven.'
we rise up, i don't know how high but the journey lasts several minites, there are no stops along the way, just a fluid ascension until a gentle 'ping' announces our arrival. the doors slide open and i step into a door way, opposite a beautiful ornate door.
i slide the key in, it's a swipe key, the panel lights up and the door opens.
gagged and bound in a chair sits an old man, he's dressed in a black suit and at his neck is a samurai sword. the wielder of the sword, invites me in.
'you have the credit.'
'no. she won't pay.'
the swordsman throws down the sword, he unties the old man. he makes an adjustment to his tie, i notice the hand missing a finger. the old man mr lee has a face that looks like crushed paper, his skin is dark, his eyes indicate the fire of intelligence. i'd done my homework, he was a smart guy, building up his drug empire by the book, everything about him was legit, except for the fact he dealt in pharmaceuticals and had a legit trail, those two just cancel one another out, my instincts were screaming something was not quite right, their trail was covered up to well, no blemishes.
'mr.lee, your daughter refused to pay the ransom, i am sorry.'
a thin smile breaks out across his face, 'yes i trained her well, she must be congratulated.'
he stands up and smiles at his assailant, 'dr. jones, let's break out the henry the fifth. three glasses.'
'yes sir,' the dr says as he wanders over to the bar.
'you will enjoy this captain mission, it's heratige cognac, very special.'
'i don't drink. if you don't mind i rather smoke a joint.'
'whatever you like, i must thank you for acting on my daughters behalf.'
'she is paying me quite a lot of money.'
'yes my money, but she did do the correct thing and passed my test.'
'test?'
'yes i am not going to let my only daughter take over my company unless she can run it ruthlessly, so i devised a ruthless test, and as you can see, she passed with flying colours.'
my brain throws out one single thought, i should have charged more, double even. then i wonder if that's a morally correct response.
'well i'm glad everyone is happy but it must have been difficult loosing the finger.'
'dr. lee is a very skilled surgeon, he made the procedure painless, as i am sure he will extent the courtesy to you mr. mission.'
'i take it i won't be paid?'
'really mr. mission, have a last drink before dr. lee throws you in the river.'
'i don't drink.
the doctor smiles he picks up his sword.
down at the river the dr walks me into a small power boat, he has my hands tied behind my back. we sit opposite one another, he starts talking.
'i will give you these pills, they will make everything painless, drowning will be peaceful. you wont even notice. the river will take you out to sea, your body will be washed up in a week or so but it won't be complete, the sea creatures will have dealt with most of the flesh, but i must say, you will be the best dressed corpse. now start taking the pills.'
he throws me the bottle, but i can't catch them, my hands are behind my back tied.
realising his mistake he leans in to pick them up and i bring my knee into his face.
the skirmish lasts seconds, he's weak and overpowering him should be childs play, however the motion of the boat is a leveller, he is screaming and comes at me, we both plunge into the water.
it's cold, my brain seems to kick start itself, fear and panic morph into a survival instinct, it's hard to know which way is up, the currents move me, i feel my lungs holding on, did i get a good gulp of oxygen before i get swallowed by the toxic flood, how long will it last, a few seconds and i'll be gone. i attempt to get my hands free but i can't, the binding is far to tight, i kick away desperately, one final burst of energy, it feels better to act than do nothing, it feels like the right thing to do. a shadow moves past me, it's the doctor, he's going in the opposite direction, swimming with his arms free, swimming where. one of us will make it, i can feel my lungs bursting now, my body ache.
the taste of blood, i've lost a tooth, my face feels numb, i open my eyes, i'm onshore, washed up, it's a miracle, i pull myself up, it's still night. i walk towards the lights.
when morning comes i'm outside the coffee shop, madam wu opens up and let's me inside. i sit down while she makes some coffee, emptying my pockets, everything soaking wet and stinking of the polluted river.
i pull out the magic square, lo shu, power over water.
'yellow magic saved my skin ms wu.'
'i'm making you a broth, i get you a blanket.'
i contemplate my options, retirement is overdue, i just need one more case.
'when was she here?'
'yesterday, she chinese lady, we speak chinese, she like my soup.'
i flicked through some metal processes, the easiest solution was the 15, i figured it would equate to 3pm, a time to meet the chinese lady. that gave me nearly two hours.
i smoked some weed and ordered some food, watched the crowds walk by.
she was on time, walked into the cafe dressed in some sort of oriental outfit, looked glamourous and elegant, she was young, wealthy, i could tell by the fact she was wearing a thing string of huge pearls around her neck, plus the waiting limo outside had a chauffeur sitting patiently.
'captain mission, thank you for meeting me,' she sits down. i nod to mrs. whu, she potters off into the back room.
'it would have been easier to just write the time down, what's with the square?'
she looks at me intently, 'i need to be certain your reputation is accurate, i require your services.'
'oh so it was a test.'
'yes, a test, a challenge.'
wu comes out with some fresh tea and places a quaint cup and saucer down for the woman, then she bows and leaves us. i pour, 'okay well i assume i passed, let's talk.'
my name is mrs lee, my father is missing, he is the director of dragon pharmaceuticals. i received note from kidnappers, they want 50 million credits. they also sent me his finger, with his wedding ring. these people have given me one week, if i go to police they ask questions. so i am here.'
'you want me to get him back?'
'no, i want you to be my liaison, deliver a message to the kidnappers.'
'i see. you want me to take the 50 million to them and bring your father back.'
'no, i don't want my father back. i need you to go and tell them i am not interested in the return of my father. then kill them.'
'err i don't do assassinations ms lee.'
'well deliver the message, it's of no consequence if they live or die.'
'ms lee, what about your father?'
'he's old, outlived his peers, his wife and most of his friends. the company is mine, i don't see why i should give his kidnappers money. they are not very smart, they should have kidnapped me.'
'it's all about investments with you people isn't it.'
'yes, i'm willing to invest 50 thousand credits in your capacity to get the job done.'
i nodded, 50 thousand credits would get me over the line, it's a cruel world.
she reaches into her bag and pulls out a small m stick, everything you need to know is on this. she sips her tea and sighs, 'i have so much to do, my hair, my nails and a session with my transactional therapist, there are not enough hours in the day.'
when she leaves i wonder what its like to be the heiress of a massive industry, to have so much money you can do almost anything including allow your family members to die, it's inversely proportional to any sense of decency i thought. that was the real resource in the world, the one falling commodity people should invest in. but whatever evil energy lurks in the world at the moment crushes the decent qualities, its dog eat god in this hell of a city.
the memory stick shows a map, with a cross on the meeting place and the time, midnight. i'm driving over there now in a borrowed car, my display shows me the best route, the traffic conditions and a soft female voice whispers the directions, on the screen i swipe along to the photograph of the finger, the ring is beautiful, it's in strange conflict with the disembodied finger.
i pull up outside a dark warehouse, it's in the middle of the waste district, the stink is awful, rotting fish, the sound of water running, a few lights on the river but otherwise it's desolate and empty. i wander up to the side door and ring the bell as instructed.
the door stays shut but an envelope slides out from under it.
i pick it up and take it back to the car.
it contains a key and a typed address, a hotel room, in the city.
it's started raining, it's raining and cold, i adjust the heating and program the directions into the cars auto drive. i request some music, some music plays, 'guilt trip.'
the music starts, the sound system is excellent. eta 2 hours, i sit back and close my eyes.
the hotel is high end, only the super elite could afford to stay here, it's the type of place a royal family would stay, high ceilings, marble, servants to catch your ash and wipe the sweat from your brow, the chandelier was worth more than most streets in the city.
i went over to the lift and a woman in a red uniform asked me what floor i required, 'penthouse suite seven.'
we rise up, i don't know how high but the journey lasts several minites, there are no stops along the way, just a fluid ascension until a gentle 'ping' announces our arrival. the doors slide open and i step into a door way, opposite a beautiful ornate door.
i slide the key in, it's a swipe key, the panel lights up and the door opens.
gagged and bound in a chair sits an old man, he's dressed in a black suit and at his neck is a samurai sword. the wielder of the sword, invites me in.
'you have the credit.'
'no. she won't pay.'
the swordsman throws down the sword, he unties the old man. he makes an adjustment to his tie, i notice the hand missing a finger. the old man mr lee has a face that looks like crushed paper, his skin is dark, his eyes indicate the fire of intelligence. i'd done my homework, he was a smart guy, building up his drug empire by the book, everything about him was legit, except for the fact he dealt in pharmaceuticals and had a legit trail, those two just cancel one another out, my instincts were screaming something was not quite right, their trail was covered up to well, no blemishes.
'mr.lee, your daughter refused to pay the ransom, i am sorry.'
a thin smile breaks out across his face, 'yes i trained her well, she must be congratulated.'
he stands up and smiles at his assailant, 'dr. jones, let's break out the henry the fifth. three glasses.'
'yes sir,' the dr says as he wanders over to the bar.
'you will enjoy this captain mission, it's heratige cognac, very special.'
'i don't drink. if you don't mind i rather smoke a joint.'
'whatever you like, i must thank you for acting on my daughters behalf.'
'she is paying me quite a lot of money.'
'yes my money, but she did do the correct thing and passed my test.'
'test?'
'yes i am not going to let my only daughter take over my company unless she can run it ruthlessly, so i devised a ruthless test, and as you can see, she passed with flying colours.'
my brain throws out one single thought, i should have charged more, double even. then i wonder if that's a morally correct response.
'well i'm glad everyone is happy but it must have been difficult loosing the finger.'
'dr. lee is a very skilled surgeon, he made the procedure painless, as i am sure he will extent the courtesy to you mr. mission.'
'i take it i won't be paid?'
'really mr. mission, have a last drink before dr. lee throws you in the river.'
'i don't drink.
the doctor smiles he picks up his sword.
down at the river the dr walks me into a small power boat, he has my hands tied behind my back. we sit opposite one another, he starts talking.
'i will give you these pills, they will make everything painless, drowning will be peaceful. you wont even notice. the river will take you out to sea, your body will be washed up in a week or so but it won't be complete, the sea creatures will have dealt with most of the flesh, but i must say, you will be the best dressed corpse. now start taking the pills.'
he throws me the bottle, but i can't catch them, my hands are behind my back tied.
realising his mistake he leans in to pick them up and i bring my knee into his face.
the skirmish lasts seconds, he's weak and overpowering him should be childs play, however the motion of the boat is a leveller, he is screaming and comes at me, we both plunge into the water.
it's cold, my brain seems to kick start itself, fear and panic morph into a survival instinct, it's hard to know which way is up, the currents move me, i feel my lungs holding on, did i get a good gulp of oxygen before i get swallowed by the toxic flood, how long will it last, a few seconds and i'll be gone. i attempt to get my hands free but i can't, the binding is far to tight, i kick away desperately, one final burst of energy, it feels better to act than do nothing, it feels like the right thing to do. a shadow moves past me, it's the doctor, he's going in the opposite direction, swimming with his arms free, swimming where. one of us will make it, i can feel my lungs bursting now, my body ache.
the taste of blood, i've lost a tooth, my face feels numb, i open my eyes, i'm onshore, washed up, it's a miracle, i pull myself up, it's still night. i walk towards the lights.
when morning comes i'm outside the coffee shop, madam wu opens up and let's me inside. i sit down while she makes some coffee, emptying my pockets, everything soaking wet and stinking of the polluted river.
i pull out the magic square, lo shu, power over water.
'yellow magic saved my skin ms wu.'
'i'm making you a broth, i get you a blanket.'
i contemplate my options, retirement is overdue, i just need one more case.
No comments:
Post a Comment