Going Up

I hesitate before getting on the elevator, several others already on it. But I was running behind and had a job interview on the top floor. Screw it, I think before stepping on, giving an awkward smile to the two men that shuffle back to make room. “Sorry,” I mutter before turning to face the door. I check my thin black tie and make sure I have no wrinkles in my suit jacket, or stains on my white dress shirt. The doors close and the elevator begins to ascend. I listen and shake my head in disbelief as a musak version of Disturbed’s “Down with the Sickness” plays.

Another man win a black on black business suit looks over the elevator’s occupants and smirks, “So, I suppose you are wondering why I gathered you all here.” He says and pushes the emergency stop. I frown in confusion, Gathered? What’s he talking about? Do I know him? I wonder. I was about to speak up when I realized the assistant who set up my meeting said their job interviews weren’t your typical interview. I opt to keep quiet as I appraise my competition.

“Good, We’ll discuss it in due course.” The man says punching the buttons for various floors as a sort of code. The elevator suddenly opens behind me into a secret room. The others on the elevator file out into the room and, not wanting to be the only one on the elevator, I quickly follow suit.

“Is there a reason we had to do this in person?” Asks one man with a Japanese accent. He finger-combs his dark hair and I catch a glimpse of ornate tattoos peeking out from the top of his shark’s skin grey collar. I notice similar tattoos on his wrist as he glances at his watch and I wonder if the art was all connected.

The man in black waves his hand dismissively as he makes his way to the front of the group and opens the door to a large conference room. “Let’s get settled in before we get to the Q and A,” the man suggests as everyone fills into the room. “Anyone want to change their lunch orders before we begin?” The man asks as he takes his seat at the head of the conference table.

There is a mumble of declination as each of the other occupants begin to take their seats around the table. “Umm…I think,” I mumble, stepping into the conference room. A woman with a thick Russian accent talks over me addressing the man in black, “Honestly Ruin, you’re flair for the dramatic is so grating. Just spit it out zasranec.”

My heart began to pound in my ears, my eyes going wide with realization. I worked my suddenly dry mouth and struggled to control my breathing. This was a meeting of the underworld’s most influential crime families. And for some reason, no one noticed I wasn’t one of them. I look to the door, struggling to keep cool and hopping my terror wasn’t obvious.

“Katia, blunt as ever.” The man in black says jovially as his hard eyes fall on me, “Jackal, did you have something you were saying?” He asked, looking directly at me.

“N-no.” I stammered, wiping away the sweat starting to form on my brow. I forced a smile and realized I was the only one who wasn’t seated. “I just…I remember my seat being there. That’s all.” I say trying to play it cool as I gesture randomly towards the Chinese man beside an empty chair.

Ruin furrows his brow, “You are correct.” He states, eyeing the Chinese man sternly.

“What does it matter?” The Chinese man grumbles as he folds his arms and gives me sneer.

“Everything!” Rubin countered, pulling the man’s attention back to him, “Decorum is what separates from the common street thugs. Now move.” Ruin commands. The pair faced off like a couple of gunslingers in an old western. Talking with their eyes and subtle micro expressions, the room grows tense as they face off.

The Chinese man huffs, “Fine. There, have your stupid seat.” He gripped. “Now can we get on with this?” The man demands as I take the man’s former seat.

“Thank you,” Ruin says with a curt nod before standing and pressing his fingers on the table. My blood ran cold as his presence seemed to enveloped the room. “Gentlemen, ladies,” he starts looking at each crime boss in turn, “We have a traitor in our midst.” He states causing the room to buzz like a kicked hornet’s nest. He lets the buzz simmer, like a cook making soup. Soon though, he holds up a hand for silence and the others all quiet down. “The reason I called you all here, in person,” his eyes drifted in my direction as he addressed the crowd. I don’t know why but as he says, in person, it felt like he was looking directly at me. “I did so that we may, as a… community, decide what to do with our little rat.”

“Who is it?” One person demanded, “kill ‘em” shouts another and several of the assembled mumble agreement. “Let me have ‘em, I’ll break ‘em like a twig,” shouts another man.

Ruin smirks as everyone talks then waves them all once more to silence. “I know the traitor quite well, and though his death would be justified I feel a certain amount of… grace, can be afforded here. Jackal, you haven’t spoken, what’s your thoughts?”

I almost choked on the water I was sipping as every eye turns my way. “I…uh…I mean, how has the traitor betrayed us?” I asked, trying to not give away the fact I have no idea what’s going on, internally praying I can make it out of this alive.

“You see that’s why he’s a master of disguise and deception, he knows the right questions to ask.” Ruin praises. Several scowls turn my way, mixed with a small spattering of approving nods. “This traitor has promised to deliver all of us to the police.” Ruin states with a broad grin.

“Well..that’s going to be difficult.” I intone, trying to think what a criminal might say in my position. “Unless he was to…” my voice trails off as realization strikes me.

“Unless he was to tell them of, and arrange this meeting.” Ruin finishes for me with a nod.

Suddenly there is a breaking of glass and chaos erupts in the room. I see police officers swarming into the from the shattered glass walls simultaneously officers on ropes smash through the exterior windows. They addressed everyone at gunpoint and ordered we surrender, swiftly placing everyone in handcuffs except Ruin. A few fights break out but most of the crime lords go without much resistance. I myself find an officer slamming me against the table and pressing a gun into the back of my head as I hold my hands out in surrender. I offered no resistance as they placed me in handcuffs. I knew these cops wouldn’t hear any objections I raised, not yet at least.

As the police begin to escort the crime lords from the room Ruin looks to the officer holding me and states, “You can let him go. He’s not part of them, I lured him here to cover my absence, his only crime is not staying on the elevator.” The man chuckles and the officers look at me.

“He’s right, I was here for a job interview. I have my resume in my jacket. I just didn’t know what to do so I played along.” I admit nervously. The cops let me go a short time later and I was back outside the building. Still jobless and waiting on an uber I really couldn’t afford. My phone buzzed and I thought my ride had arrived. More than a little surprised, I see it’s a text. Frowning, I looked and it was from an unlisted number stating; Thanks for playing. Hope this compensates you fairly for your time. ~Jackal.

Puzzled, I checked my bank account only to find it had grown by nine extra digits. My fingers grew numb, and I sat on the planter beside me before I collapsed. I blinked unbelieving as I considered denying the money. My Uber arrives and I look at the car as I try to find my bearings again. “Yeah… that’ll work.” I mumble, pocketing my phone and climbing into the car.