third call - video- and AGI pressure continues on! Forward-dated to late afternoon
[ The video clicks on, with Zoey in some sort of building, with voices carrying over, papers being shuffled around. She's in her street clothes, and looks like she's getting ready to pull some patrols she volunteered for. She has some band-aids on her forehead, from the scrapes she gotten herself into into breaking up fights. ]
Well, training went as well as you expect, I guess. Some of the stuff I already knew from back home, others I don't, and of course I passed the endurance stuff with little to no problem. There's some rough stuff, like those riots, but uh, I'm starting to think that's going to be the par of the course in this place, huh? Thank god for super strength - and I'm getting better with that too.
Unfortunately, I'm getting evicted from my room and I'm still apartment searching. Know any place -
[ There's a thud, as though somebody is pounding the desk with the palm of their hands. ]
Excuse me.
[ Immediately there's a shuffle, a blur, and the video darkens, but the view of Zoey's lap is visible in the dim light of underneath her desk. ]
Yes? Need some help, sir?
[ There's a mutter and some shuffling of papers. There's a grunt. ]
We need your help, specifically. We like young women of your caliber, and if you can help us out, the payment can be very beneficial on your end. You were looking for an apartment, aren't you? We can help you with that.
[ A long pause. Zoey squirms in her seat, and the NV is jostled by the movement. Now the view is aimed toward the drawer. ]
I got it covered, thanks.
[ But the voice, clearly a man's, isn't letting up. ]
You are about to be assessed for your quality as being a policewoman, aren't you not? Being a police officer is hard work, ma'am. You're giving a great benefit to the community, but you won't be treated nicely for it. You won't be thanked. The payment in minimal and -
[ Zoey interrupts, her voice blunt. ]
I know what I am getting into. I appreciate your concern, but I don't need any help.
[ There's another pause now, but this time it is clearly tense. ]
We can double that payment, if you can help us out. Not bad, for a Newcomer such as yourself? And how long have you been here? A little more than a month? We can give you whatever you want.
[ When Zoey replies, her voice is heated and inching toward fury. ]
You can't give me what I want. No one can give me what I want.
[ She leans back, the NV now becoming dangerously close into sliding off her thigh. She's breathing a little bit heavily now, trying to regain control. ]
Sir, if you have a complaint, I can show you were you can address one of our senior officers. If you are here to report a crime, I can show you someone who can help you. Or you can show yourself out.
[ There's another tense quietness, but then there's an indistinguishable mutter from the man, and there are fading footsteps. The NV is covered by the palm of Zoey's hand, and then the view is back to her face. She looks disturbed, angry, and almost worried, while clenching her jaw to the side. Shaking her head, Zoey turns off the NV. ]
Well, training went as well as you expect, I guess. Some of the stuff I already knew from back home, others I don't, and of course I passed the endurance stuff with little to no problem. There's some rough stuff, like those riots, but uh, I'm starting to think that's going to be the par of the course in this place, huh? Thank god for super strength - and I'm getting better with that too.
Unfortunately, I'm getting evicted from my room and I'm still apartment searching. Know any place -
[ There's a thud, as though somebody is pounding the desk with the palm of their hands. ]
Excuse me.
[ Immediately there's a shuffle, a blur, and the video darkens, but the view of Zoey's lap is visible in the dim light of underneath her desk. ]
Yes? Need some help, sir?
[ There's a mutter and some shuffling of papers. There's a grunt. ]
We need your help, specifically. We like young women of your caliber, and if you can help us out, the payment can be very beneficial on your end. You were looking for an apartment, aren't you? We can help you with that.
[ A long pause. Zoey squirms in her seat, and the NV is jostled by the movement. Now the view is aimed toward the drawer. ]
I got it covered, thanks.
[ But the voice, clearly a man's, isn't letting up. ]
You are about to be assessed for your quality as being a policewoman, aren't you not? Being a police officer is hard work, ma'am. You're giving a great benefit to the community, but you won't be treated nicely for it. You won't be thanked. The payment in minimal and -
[ Zoey interrupts, her voice blunt. ]
I know what I am getting into. I appreciate your concern, but I don't need any help.
[ There's another pause now, but this time it is clearly tense. ]
We can double that payment, if you can help us out. Not bad, for a Newcomer such as yourself? And how long have you been here? A little more than a month? We can give you whatever you want.
[ When Zoey replies, her voice is heated and inching toward fury. ]
You can't give me what I want. No one can give me what I want.
[ She leans back, the NV now becoming dangerously close into sliding off her thigh. She's breathing a little bit heavily now, trying to regain control. ]
Sir, if you have a complaint, I can show you were you can address one of our senior officers. If you are here to report a crime, I can show you someone who can help you. Or you can show yourself out.
[ There's another tense quietness, but then there's an indistinguishable mutter from the man, and there are fading footsteps. The NV is covered by the palm of Zoey's hand, and then the view is back to her face. She looks disturbed, angry, and almost worried, while clenching her jaw to the side. Shaking her head, Zoey turns off the NV. ]