Risk and Reward

He climbed up a set of stairs and took the game controller. "My other guard should be here in the next hour or so."

She nodded, remembering, in the moment, that this was a job. "Is there anything I should know about what that is and why it should be guarded?" she asked.

"Just don't let anyone near it except me. You and Tad will work in twelve-hour shifts. Look at it at all times, except for when you blink."

That could be complicated, if she ever had to stop anyone from coming near it. She nodded her understanding. There was probably something he was leaving out, but she'd deal with that later. "Anything else?"

"I don't think so." He headed out the door. "I'll leave this in the dining room. The job lasts seven days, remember."

She followed him. "Yes, of course."

He led her into the dining room. "Help yourself to anything in the kitchen during your breaks. The actual job starts tomorrow, but I wanted to give you and Tad a chance to get go know one another.

"I see." Her phone buzzed again. She sent it to voicemail without checking who it was.

"Do you...have to take that?" he asked.

"If I leave it behind my dad will have the whole city searching for me," she said apologetically, embarrassment tinging her voice.

"Ohh. Who's your dad?"

So he didn't do any googling. "Carlson Ringly." Maybe he wouldn't know who that was. Unlikely, but possible.

(Think b*zos level of well-known. Just a really, exorbitantly rich guy)

(Dude did you just censor the name of renowned shitdog Jiff Bonzos)

"Ohhh! That guy! Wow, your dad is garbage." He grinned. "I'm definitely gonna get him cursed someday for what he's done to the rivers around here."

(do not speak the name of the devil unless you wish to summon him to your sharpest but most shitty guillotine)

She winced. "Where did you find the person I'm going to be working with? Are they affiliated with any agencies?"

(I wish to)

"He's a private contractor. Top notch! Not sure where he's from but I liked his vibes."