Thirty minutes. That's all it took for my signature polo shirt to be replaced by this stuffy semi-formal outfit. A white dress shirt paired with a black tie and black dress pants with shiny black shoes. I look like a fucking penguin. The hairstylist also wants to tame my messy hair but partially gave up when it wouldn't give in to her whims. As I pull away the curtain of the dressing room, Barry, Samantha, and Veronica greets me with impressed looks.
"Ho, ho, not bad kid," Barry says as he scans me from head to toe.
In this dimly lit space that is too big to be called a "van", there are three people who are way too overdressed.
One is Barry who ditched his unkempt, washed up detective look for a more dignified "I got promoted to chief" kind of attire. He's still wearing his familiar teal coat over a tucked in dress shirt and checkered teal dress pants. His beard and hair are trimmed and now he looks like someone I can actually rely on.
Second one is Samantha. For someone who's always following Barry's lead, her dress of choice is certainly an eyecatcher. A blue slit dress that glimmers like glacier on the highest mountain. Her equally blue hair rests itself in a double braid on her shoulders.
Third is me. And I'm probably the most uncomfortable out of the three of us.
"What the fuck? You guys could pull this off like it's nothing. Do you go to parties like this often?" I ask as I adjust the collar so it won't choke me.
"Nah, we're just good at everything," he responds and hooks me with his arm. "Now, remember the plan?"
I sigh. "I do," I reply.
In front of dozens of monitors, agents buzz about in preparation for tonight's operation. That's right, it's a full blown bait operation instigated by Barry himself. We're about to enter a party in Central and since Barry didn't really help explaining everything, I'm basically going in blind. But the gist of it is that some fat cats are gonna gather for some sort of celebration. Of course, the invitation went out to both legitimate and criminal businesses. His plan is to spread some rumor of a rogue Kaleidoscope that slipped through Medacorp's manufacturing process. Then spread another rumor that the owner of said Kaleidoscope will attend this party.
"Didn't you prepare this way too fast?" I ask as I take his arm off of me. "In movies, it would take a couple of weeks before the criminals take the bait."
"Nah, with these guys, even an unfounded rumor would stir them up," he replies confidently.
He's the expert so there should be some truth in his statement. How desperate are these criminals to get a Kaleidoscope? I glance at the far side of the room and see Veronica sharing snacks with some technician while Jimmy stares into the souls of other agents.
"Don't worry Mr. Miller," Samantha approaches me with a comforting pat on the shoulder. "This is the safest place they could be."
She was spunky during our fight in the junkyard, but now she seems like a classy lady. How much can a personality change depending on the situation?
"Enough talk," Barry announces. "Listen up everyone! We need your total concentration during this operation you hear?!"
"Yes sir!" the group responds in unison.
Samantha then hands me an earpiece. After we make sure everything works, I say goodbye to Veronica and head off. Just wait for me, my 35 gold per hour. With newfound determination, I exit the doors but as soon as my foot hits the pavement, my jaw suddenly drops. There were no windows in the van so I didn't see that the party will be held in a massive tower that pierces that night sky. There are tuxedo wearing guards at the entrance and their intimidating figures are enough to discourage any potential threat.
"Argh, this place still gives me the creeps," Barry mutters.
The creeps? What the fuck? Are we looking at the same thing? We must not be since he just nonchalantly cuts the line, which of course pissed off everyone.
"Sir, you can't do this," the rugged-looking guard puts up his hand on Barry's chest.
Barry just shoots him a glance and the once intimidating guard almost cowers.
"O-oh, pardon me. Please come in," he stutters as he lets him and Samantha pass.
Meanwhile, I am left in the line with these angry and snobby people whose attires make my stomach churn. Damn, their outfits cost more than my entire life so far. I wait patiently, trying not to even accidentally touch any of these guys, until it's my turn.
"Name," the guard earlier is back on his intimidating and rugged routine.
"D-Devon Miller," I say nervously.
He chuckles. "Why so nervous? You're on the list," he says and gestures to the door. "Welcome to Casada, Mr. Devon Miller. Please do enjoy yourself."
I step at the threshold and the grandiose double doors reveal an all too bright scene. All around me are well-dressed people who carry themselves in a way that put a plebeian like me to shame. Damn Barry, this is too much of a hurdle for a dirt poor kid from the Outside like me. I hurriedly make my way to the elevator and a butler hands me a glass of champagne.
"Which floor sir?" he asks.
"114," I reply.
He presses the button and the golden elevator opens its glorious door to me. I gingerly go inside, expecting others to join in, but the door closes before anyone could do so. Do rich people in Central enter elevators one at a time? My heart is thumping. I don't know why I'm more nervous now than I was when fighting the boss at the junkyard. I scan myself unconsciously. Do I stand ok? Is there dirt in my teeth? What if I embarrass myself? As I worry about these things, I glance at myself on the elevator mirror. Shit, I almost forgot. I pull out the most important part of this operation: a simple black domino mask. That's right, this party is a masquerade.
I sigh in relief. Why can't we just open a beer and get some dried squid or something? What's with all this fancy bullshit?
Eventually, the elevator dings and I step out into the smell of mixed perfumes and sweet alcohol. Well, we're certainly not on the Outside anymore. Smooth jazz hangs in the air as powerful-looking people mingle and socialize with each other. My eyes immediately search for Barry and Samantha through the Kaleidoscope. There! Near the band, I see the two of them happily socializing with some old men. Samantha locks eyes with me and gives me the signal to mingle. Fuck! I thought I could do this, but just from overhearing some of the conversations in the room, I immediately know that I'm so out of place here.
"Hey, did you hear that Linkprof went bankrupt the other day?" a woman in her forties says between sips of wine.
"What?! I invested in their stocks just the other day!" an old man in his 60's cries out in despair.
I know that the plan is to mingle but it's gonna be more suspicious if I can't even join in on a simple conversation. So, I go for my plan B. I grab another glass of champagne and fade into the corner. Hello, darkness, my old friend. Ugh, this is bad. I need time. Enough time to grab information pieces from the conversations around me so I can actually hold my own if someone approaches me. As I hone in on my senses and let the conversations flow in me like water, the entire room goes dark and a lone pink spotlight shines on the stage.
"Hello everyone!" a bubbly, enthusiastic female voice rings through the speakers. "It's your favorite idol, 'Delight' coming on the stage."
At once, applause and cheers roar from the guests. Wait... nope, not all of the guests. Just the younger guys near the front. I never heard of this idol before, but then again, I don't really follow a lot of what's going on in this city. I crane my neck over the crowds of people and catch a glimpse of a girl wearing a full pink Lolita dress. She's moving and jumping about as she starts her song and my eyes naturally gravitates to the strange object swinging along on her hip. Is that a fucking katana? My curiosity now at max level, I intend to slip past this crowd and take a closer look. But before I do so, strong arms pull me into the thick curtains at the edge of the venue. I intend to scream of course but a clammy hand presses onto my lips as my assailant pins me to a wall.
"Shh, shh, be quiet motherfucker," a female's voice says threateningly.
Wait, that voice and cursing is familiar. I calm myself and as my eyes adjust to the darkness, I see Eleanor wearing a red mask with gold engravings which matches her red halter dress. Wait, how can I see her so clearly?
+
[Nigh vision function activated]
+
Ah, that's right. Cutting edge piece of technology.
"What are you doing here?" I mumble through her hand. Of course, she doesn't understand me so she lets go of my mouth. I wipe the sweat that she unknowingly spread on my lips and repeat, "What are you doing here?"
She glares at me. "That's my fucking question," she whispers through gritted teeth. "Aren't you supposed to be taking care of Veronica right now?"
Before I could answer, the lights turn on again and the idol retreats from the stage. I use this distraction to sneak away from her.
"Shit," she mumbles. Then, she takes my collar before I could successfully walk away. "You're lucky I have a fucking job to do right now. But when we get home, you better explain yourself or you're dead."
I know I'm in a bad situation right now but I somehow find myself wearing a massive grin on my face.
"What's so funny?" she growls.
"O-oh nothing. It's just that ... you look stunning tonight," I reply the best I could and prepare for the barrage of swearing. But it didn't come.
Unexpectedly, she pauses a bit and slightly reddens before pushing me away. Then, without a word, she exits the curtains and returns to the party.
I sigh in relief. God damnit! This night is just getting better and better huh.