“There are so few of you, it is not legally binding yet, but… I believe eighteen is the benchmark. I myself do not tend to employ anyone younger than twenty-five Earth years… though there are exceptions to every rule.” They form a shape so they can pinch their chin like they’re thinking.
“My sister wants to come work for you.”
“No, she doesn’t.” They crackle like lightning. “What does she actually want to do?”
“She wants to do what I do and make the money I make.”
“Better.”
The front of their form becomes the back of their form, and a wall of ancient TV screens flick to life with pictures of my little sister at college, medical information, transcripts and social media feeds.
They flip through a massive amount of information in a few seconds. “I don’t see any reason she couldn’t come to work here if she wanted to… is there some insight you could provide that might change my mind?”
“No.”
“I’ll reach out and bring her in for an interview… see if she really does want to come work for me after she finds out what we do here.”
“Thank you.” I stand, but the door doesn’t immediately open.
“Are you certain you’re alright with this?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I am aware that the society you were raised in doesn’t think particularly highly of this line of work.”
I shrug. “Fuck ‘em.”
“Fuck them indeed.” They chuckle, and all of my sister’s information disappears from the screens.
I pause long enough to check in with Feather and make lunch plans and then make my way out into the station from one of the less obvious exits.
I shouldn’t have taken a bag with me.
Some little part of me hoped that there would be a reason to stay a day or two, but I knew I was going to be coming straight back. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. Maybe I inherited the denial from my mother.
Hey guys, what are you up to?
Ferrok
Wishing you were here.
Mooralan
Almost home from work. Do you want to come over?
I’d love to. Just let me drop off my things and change into something comfy.
Mooralan
We can be comfy for you.
Ferrok
We’ll be waiting.
See you soon.
All I need to do is stop by my apartment…
