by Estes, Danny
Randolph rolled his eyes skyward on her threat and enlightened her on the realities of their situation. “As these cells are most likely bugged, that admission is rather redundant, for you already have.”
“Oh,” Jill answered lamely.
“So tell me, with a figure like yours, do you work out?” Randolph needed to get a better feel of her capabilities, as she appeared to be a necessary factor in his escape plans.
“My figure? I thought you didn’t know me?”
“I saw you though the meal slot,” Randolph enlighten her.
“Oh...” Jill answered slowly before she asked. “So, did you like what you saw?”
“I like a little more meat on the bones, but yeah, you’re not bad looking.”
“You mean my breasts aren’t large enough, don’t you? The story of my life.” Jill sniffed. “All my girlfriends kept telling me if I wanted to get anywhere in this corporate world, I’d need to enlarge them and the size of my butt.” Jill then slammed her hand on the door in anger and complained, “But surgery is so expensive and on a secretary’s salary a bit out of reach unless I slept my way into a better pay-scale.”
“Is that why you’re wearing the latest mini-skirt and panties?” Randolph asked to try and understand her mental stability as he had only one shot at this.
“Yeah sort of,” Jill admitted. “I mean, I’ve seen those women on the top floors with the D-cups and matching hips, and knowing I’m smarter than them doesn’t help.” Jill paused a moment before she asked, “John? What is it about breasts you men are so fascinated with? I mean, all they do is hang there. Why is it a woman with small breasts will be over looked for those who have larger?”
“I think it’s more of a primitive desire in our psyche,” Randolph supplied with a shrug.
“Well, why do you like them, then?”
Not able to truly answer that question, Randolph changed the subject. “Never mind that, do you know what time it might be?”
“Maybe,” she answered hesitantly. “Are you taking me with you?”
“In truth, I have no choice. Now then, what time is it?”
“Well, it was 6:20 when I was caught. I think that would make it around 8:40 now.”
“Morning or night?”
“Oh, sorry,” she giggled. “8:40 p.m. Not much later, I’m sure.”
Randolph reset his internal clock.
“So when do we go?”
“Probably never, if you keep asking stupid questions like that,” Randolph snapped in irritation.
“Oh, sorry. It’s that I’m a bit claustrophobic, but I can control it for a short time.”
“Good.” Randolph sighed and rubbed his eyes in annoyance to this whole business, for he really despised being dependent on anyone other than himself. “Now then, when do the most people get about in the hallways upstairs?”
“I’d say at the change of shifts, about 4:30 in the afternoon.”
“Okay, get some rest if you can.”
“Are we going tomorrow?” Jill asked in surprise.
“Don’t be stupid. I’ll need more information before I commit myself. Besides, I need to get to know you better.”
“What, something other than my bra size?” Jill asked, her sarcasm thick.
“Jill, if you’ll remember, you were the one that brought that up. I asked if you worked out.”
“Oh yeah. Um, so tell me, did you like my butt? I’ve spent half a month’s salary on a body tan to wear these panties.” When Randolph didn’t answer right away, Jill asked, “Or are you a leg man?”
Randolph shook his head and lay down; it sounded as if Jill was self-conscious of her figure. Oh well, we all have our idiosyncrasies. Out loud he told her, “Your legs and fanny looked pretty cute to me.”
Without interruptions that night, Randolph’s mind wandered about and came up with an unanswerable question. Why did she assume I could get us out of here? And why would she risk it? She’s only going to suffer the loss of her job and a fine, or at most a year in a city prison, that’s not much. Granted, prisons are not a cushy place, but while inside, those still showing prospects have their pick of training and of course with a body like hers, she could always choose military service instead of jail. Randolph mulled over his question, then conceded he held no time for answers. If he guessed right, the corporation would scare the wits out of her a few days before the city police picked her up. So if he were to get out of here, this afternoon would be his best chance. Well, with her help, he corrected. So around three in the morning, by his internal clock, Randolph lay back in bed and made certain his blanket kept him covered. With the knowledge of what was to come next, Randolph gritted his teeth and took a strong hold of his left arm. Next he took in three quick breaths before he pushed and turned the arm. With a wish to let out a scream of agony, Randolph bit back a cry of pain as scar tissue tore and the arm popped out of joint. As tears engulfed his eyes, Randolph let go of his arm to push on a button in the long bone. This action activated a precisely-calibrated spring to slice an exit in his skin for a slender tube to eject halfway out. With trembling fingers, Randolph removed the water-repellent tube from the cavity in the bone and unscrewed a cap on the cylinder with teeth and fingers. Once the threads disengaged, Randolph allowed the lid to fall in his mouth so a pain capsule nestled within could fall out. Once Randolph spit out the lid, he chewed the capsule to pulp and allowed the pain reliever to slide down his throat to hit his empty stomach like prime seasoned steak hitting battery acid. After ten long minutes had passed, Randolph sighed in some relief. Five more and all the pain was gone. Now able to breathe normally, Randolph worked to reattach his arm and applied a skin-colored patch from the tube to the damaged area. I bet whoever invented this molding material never conceived it could be mistaken as a human bone by X-ray film.
“John?” Jill called out. “John are you all right? You sounded as if you were in some pain.”
“I’m fine...” Randolph smiled, now that the painkiller was working to its fullest effect. “I just stubbed my toe while sleep walking,” he improvised.
“Sleepwalking? Do people really do that?” Jill asked with curiosity, not sounding like she did earlier in the evening.
Now able to move without the annoyance of pain, Randolph popped the arm back in place and moved it about to make certain all seemed well. This had been the second time he’d suffer through such action since the surgical procedure seven years back replaced the real bone with the molding material. “Well, apparently so, if I’d just told you I was doing it.”
“You don’t have to get all huffy about it. It’s not as if we know each other intimately,” Jill accused.
“Jill, um, why don’t you go back to sleep?” Randolph tried with less annoyance in his voice.
“Humph, I can see why you worked alone. You have no tolerance for someone trying to get to know you.”
“The middle of the night is hardly the time to divulge deep dark secrets, now, is it?” Randolph reasoned.
“What does that have to do with anything in this place? Night or day, we’re not going anywhere, at least not until you’re ready. And as I’m dependent on you, you’d think you’d have some compassion for my feelings, especially as I’m your ticket out of here,” Jill huffed.
“Listen, we have plenty of time to get to know each other later, so will you please go back to sleep?” Randolph insisted with some exasperation, rolling to his side so he could pour out the contents of the cylinder next to his chest.
“Boy, you sure are surly at night. Are you always so rude when you don’t get eight hours sleep?”
Randolph took in a breath but decided to keep his mouth shut. She’s so full of questions, his mind threw before his thoughts. Well, you can’t really blame her, he then told himself, soon she’ll be fully dependent on my capabilities and speaking of which… Randolph decided to let her ramble as he concentrated on the small items from the tube. With total familiarity of the parts, it was a simple task for Randolph
to assemble the two electronic devices he’d specifically designed to snap together without the use of solder.
“John, are you still awake?” Jill asked with a slight catch in her throat. “I only wish to talk a little. It would better help me with my problem.”
“Yes, Jill I’m still awake.” Randolph sighed, with a wish she’d shut-up. With one component complete, he started in on the other. “How can I not be with your voice echoing in my cell?”
“I was just thinking, once we get out of here, where do we go?”
“You’re talking as if I’ve done this before,” he butted in, feeling around for a very small resister and closing his eyes with a sigh once he found it.
“Well, haven’t you?” she asked. “Remember, I’m not one of those D-cup-size toys upstairs whose pay out matches their IQ by several digits. I can add one and one, and you’re too calm for a simple businessman.”
“Perhaps I’m calm because I’ve been trying to meditate,” he shot back, screwing the cap back on after he finished the small but powerful laser pen.
“I doubt that seriously. Within our conversation you’ve sounded angry, annoyed, bored, bothered and not all in that order.”
“What are you, some kind of psychiatrist?”
“I’ve told you I’m a secretary. I have to know my boss’s moods to keep from getting on his bad side every day or worse yet, fired. Of course that’s all redundant now, as I’ve used his computer once in two years and—and here I am.”
“I thought you said you worked for him ten years now?” Randolph probed the inconsistency in her story while he check to make certain he’d not missed any components.
“No, I said I worked here for ten years. I’ve worked for my cold-hearted boss for two of those years.” After a moment of silence she asked, “Do you think if I’d screwed him a few times he would have over looked my slip up?”
Still on his side, Randolph opened his coveralls and pushed the laser pen up into his rectum. He used this uncomfortable precaution in case his cell and person was searched once he activated the frequency disruptor he still held in his hand. The small device, shaped like a large pill, made it easier to swallow once activated and harder to find. So with a touch, Randolph triggered the timer and swallowed without water, knowing in about four hours it would emit an ever-increasing electronic disruption till around noon, when it would stop. Then four hours later it would restart, but this time the disruption would be complete for half an hour, time enough he hoped to be on his way out of here.
“John, did you hear me?”
“Yes, Jill, and no, I doubt it. You don’t have the body for it. Besides, by handing you over it shows he’s loyal to the corporation, a plus in any-one's jacket.”
“You sound as if you were a company man once.”
“Far from it, but I’ve known people who are and how screwed they got. Corporations live only for the top executive’s credit accounts. If you can’t make them richer, then you’re dead weight and very replaceable by someone who’ll give up life and family. Now, please, I would like to get some sleep.” Making himself comfortable, Randolph ignored her next few questions and closed his eyes.
Chapter Four
After his morning meal of grits, Randolph used the washcloth provided and stripped completely to give himself the best possible bath as could be had. As he had of yet not done so, Randolph knew this would stir the interest of the guard on duty while they tried to track down their system problem. But since he showed no other signs of knowledge to their visual problem, Randolph felt fairly assured the guard would settle back and await the electronic team. Once done, Randolph put his plate on the small ledge in the door slot and did the best he could with his hair after redressing.
Before noon, a team of electronic repair men ventured up and down the hall trying to discern the problem with their standard equipment. When the noon hour came, the team left as the problem stopped. Good, Randolph thought, now a problem will be registered with no expectant reactions from the prisoners. The team will logically attach no hurry when next the problem flares up. However, as for maintaining the routine I’ve set up these past days, they were understandably interrupted with Jill’s arrival. Not to mention her constant talking. But could I really blame her? “Hmm…” That very question did unsettle Randolph, as Jill sounded too much like an inquisitor, though subtler; then again, he could be just paranoid. After a moment of thought, Randolph shrugged and gave in to answer another of her questions. “No, I’ve never been married. I move around too much.”
“I thought by the sound of it you had a permanent office?”
“Nope, I travel from client to client.”
When the disruptor vibrated amidst his bowls, Randolph jumped out of bed and fished out the laser pen from his rectum, giving it a wipe down on the bed covers. Next came a wash down of both hands and pen to break down the smell before Randolph vaulted to the wall next to the door. Then with his left hand fingers spread out, Randolph located the spot he suspected the main magnetic wires and circuitry were located behind the wall.
“So who were you working for when, well, when they busted down your door? Do you suppose you uncovered something someone didn’t want known?”
“His name is Mr. Hilden, and yes, something like that,” Randolph answered with a flick of his thumb to activate the pen. With the use of his other hand to hold the pen a finger thickness from the wall, Randolph squinted against the sparks as the laser pen drilled a small hole in which he could see in-between the walls. Another flick turned off the laser and activated a light to aid in finding the circuit board and wiring.
“John, you seem a bit distracted. Did I hit a nerve?”
“Again yes and no,” Randolph answered with a heavy sigh and a shake of his head. “I’ve something on my mind I’m trying to work out and your constant babble is not helping.”
“So you think I babble, do you?” Jill huffed, “I thought we were trying to get to know one another. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Yes, of course,” Randolph answered, wanting desperately to tell her to shut-up, “but all you’ve been doing is asking about me. Why don’t you tell me more about yourself? Like your family, friends, likes or dislikes? Hmm?” He moved up a hand span plus two fingers over then reactivated the laser and cut a larger hole in the metal wall right beside the circuit board while holding his breath. When no alarm went off, Randolph let out his breath and looked inside; now came the tricky part. If there wasn’t enough loose wiring inside, he’d never rewire the current to kill the magnetic lock and still fool the board into believing nothing was wrong, thereby making it reluctant to set off the alarms.
“Well, to be truthful, I don’t like talking about myself, at least not to strangers.”
“Fine then, you pick a subject. Any subject other than me,” Randolph snapped and looked skyward for patience. The damn woman is not catching my flagrant hint to leave me alone! he fussed within himself. But as time was at a premium, Randolph discarded his wish to vent freely and tried to concentrate. For even though the video-cameras were out, it in no way guaranteed the sound system was out, though it should be.
“Okay, as sex is always on the mind of men, why don’t you tell me why that is? Why can’t a woman do a simple task like bend over without your eyes glued to our breasts or our butts?”
Randolph let out a sigh of frustration and shook his head; he tried once more to steer her off from asking him questions. “Besides the obvious, like all the advertising by the commercial world and women themselves, you tell me?” After only a moment to evaluate the circuit board, Randolph selected the needed wires and melted off the casings to jump the wires and bypass the alarm. Once the new junction of wires cooled, Randolph allowed the laser pen to melt the remaining wire and heard the satisfying click of the magnet disengage. To this sound Randolph’s lips curved upward in pleasure, for now it was an easy thing to reach in and rotate the three deadbolts out of place, thus allowing the door to swing open with but a touc
h of his hand. He then secured the pen to his collar and peeked out the food slot, just to be sure of no uninvited surprises.
“You’re copping out, John,” Jill spoke up, sounding miffed, “the corporate world only makes available what consumers are willing to pay for. If men didn’t want sex twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, then marketing wouldn’t package men’s products using a woman’s body. And as for women,” Jill continued as he moved to her door unrolling a slim magnetic key-card, designed with a simple trace program to acquire and resend the last key-card codes. “As men show no interest in women unless we wave our breasts or butts in their faces, you can’t blame us!” This last she said with a bit of heat in her voice, like she was remembering an experience she once had.
Randolph rolled his eyes on her chosen topic, for it is true men had sex on their minds most of the day. But why not? With all the garbage we deal with everyday, why can’t we daydream about something that gives us pleasure? But as the program ran its course, Randolph pushed aside the argument to tell her in a quieter voice, “Look, if you wish to discuss this another time we’ll do so but at the present, you should be readying yourself to move as I’m about to open your door.” The mechanism gave off a satisfying click. Randolph slipped out his card to swing her door open and found Jill staring up at him with the strangest, puzzled look, as if she truly didn’t believe he’d just side-stepped fifteen security steps and a sophisticated alarm system, while having a conversation.
“Look,” Randolph began in a no nonsense voice, “we’ve no time for familiarities, so listen up.”
Jill’s brown eyes changed from disbelief to something more calculating, while she remained seated on her bed.
A very bad sign if you ask me, Randolph thought, but as she’s my only hope of getting out, I’ll have to catalog it for a later review.
Then all of a sudden her eyes went misty and she bolted up to him, flinging her arms around his neck.