“Just pick a suit” instructed Benjamin, from within the dresser. Dubois had already disappeared, In a few minutes, he returned with an emerald two-piece set.“I remember Master Zeppeli has a fondness for the green, no?” asked Dubois. Johnny examined the fabric, his obstinance fading with each stroke.“Handcrafted by the Great Valentino III.” Added Dubois. “Green is the most pacifist colour,” he said.“What are you waiting for Master Zeppeli? Put it over yourself, quickly. Although your measurements with us are a bit outdated, my trained eye is rarely wrong. This is one of a kind. The only piece we have in this country. Eh, bien. I deem it is yours!” pronounced Dubois.Johnny visited the dresser and emerged at the same time Benjamin was wearing a sour cream piece: a Cream Blazer, blue jeans and a white vest. Johnny, on the other hand, looked like he had just stepped out from filming on set.“Merveillux, Master Zepelli. Simply, Merveilleux. Between this and Bespoke, there is no differe
“Dubois, why did you of all people, decide to tell me a lie?” asked Benjamin. Mr. Dubois blinked his eyes in confusion. “Master Benjamin?” he repeated. Benjamin silenced from his speaking further using his palm.“I’m already quite aware, that you know who you Mr Ollivander is. And I am quite sure you have his exact location.” Benjamin had confirmed this using [Appraisal] earlier. Both Dubois’ and Giordano’s heartbeats had sped up considerably when the matter of Mr. Ollivander Wallouby was brought up.Dubois opened his mouth but was silenced again.“Never mind how I know. Now the question is, are you going to keep lying to me or not?” asked Benjamin seriously. Dubois and Giordano looked at each other. By the time they turned back to Benjamin, it seemed their mind had been made up. Did they have some sort of silent communication method?“Those bags look heavy, Master Zepelii” began Giordano. “And you as well, Master Benjamin. Permit us to assist you in handling them?” asked Dubois. John
“Of course, Master Benjamin. Remember. We assess the worth of the information before selling. I dare say, we may be getting more out of this than you are.” I’m not so sure about that, thought Benjamin, who was checking if the name had any relation to him or his sister.“Well?” asked Benjamin. “Master Ollivander was a noteworthy man who climbed to the position of the Elite Four Most Influential Families of this city through his innovation and grit in developing the technology to microchip VR games out of their headsets.Unlike the rest of the Elite Four, his fortune was strictly first-generation and his company, VanderTech, was worth $20 billion when he was still alive.”“VanderTech?! I remember seeing their consoles on E3 when I was four years old! The high-powered devices were as small as buttons!” whistled Johnny.“Is it really the same person?” Benjamin, on the other hand, did not have such childhood luxuries of travelling abroad for gaming events. They didn’t even have a TV talk
“Where we off to, Boss?” asked Johnny.Benjamin downshifted into second gear to blow past a red light. He had been getting much better than his first drive-through, and with the help of a few YouTube videos here and there, soon understood how to use the paddle shifters by the steering wheel.“I’m going to bed” replied Benjamin. “As for you, work resumes by 08;00 AM tomorrow.”“Where?” asked Johnny. “What are you, blind and deaf? We have an office!” stressed Benjamin.“NOT THAT. I meant where am I going to sleep?” asked Johnny.Benjamin braked hard to take a left turn. “What are you talking about? Where have you been sleeping up until now?!” he asked.“On the streets”“Excuse Me? Why?!”“It’s not much of a statement If I’m going back to some fancy hotel with a luxury dinner, now is it?” reasoned Johnny.“What the fuck is wrong with you?”“There are people in third world countries, that are struggling to live and holding on to whatever morsel of life they have left because of these con
“Nope” replied Johnny. But on the next turn, Benjamin made, the siren sounds were resurrected. At the end of this street was a Ford Raptor this time, its siren lights strobing the street pavements.“What the hell?” questioned Benjamin.“Who are these guys? I thought this was the local police.”“Yeah, I wouldn’t be too sure about that.” Replied Johnny.“Hang on” Benjamin swerved left at the next intersection into a darker alley, and turned off his high beams. He inched the Mclaren closer to a Dumpster to park, but before that, the street was suddenly lit up with a light source more brilliant than a thousand suns. Everything and everywhere was white from the blinding beams.Benjamin squinted his eyes and slammed the gear into reverse, but in his rearview, he saw the Ford Raptor approaching again, its alarm still very much alive. The walls of the street were much too narrow to carry out any evasive manoeuvres. The Raptor stopped, and Benjamin could hear the sound of two car doors crea
“Now, for the second error of conduct-“ stared Thomas. “Driving a general licensed car.”Benjamin turned to him. “What?”“Your car has a general license plate, Mr Benjamin. For someone of your status, that is a most vital error of conduct. You should have a Star Alliance specially-made Vanity plate installed. If you had, it would lead to zero stops from the law in this city.” stated Thomas.“I thought you just said the whole point of Star Alliance was to remain invisible and anonymous to the population at large?!”“I think you’re misunderstanding it, Mr Benjamin. Star Alliance is not made up of the most influential and powerful people on the planet, the most powerful and influential people are Star Alliance. Do you understand?You were selected to join the program because of your potential to become more prominent than you currently are. That importance cannot exude itself when you are driving a commonplace car such as this.” Explained Thomas.“I’m not sure I’m following.”“To keep y
"Destroy any possibility of a union between Claire Black And Mardo Wormwood," said Thomas, handing over the paper to Benjamin. On it were two character profiles, that of Claire and the other of Mario, their pictures printed in Black and White. He recognised the picture of Claire. It was a portrait of her joining Worcester University as a freshman, he had seen it tirelessly above the fireplace in the Black's living room. It was back then, a few months after this picture was taken that she had met him. He didn't know it then, she was a beautiful kid from a rich family and he had dared to dream of a life together, even against JMONEY's constant disapproval. Everything started back then. Mardo looked as heinous as ever. Under each profile were the notes preferences and dislikes of each character. Between their two avatars was a big red cross. Benjamin held onto the paper for a few more seconds but handed it back to Thomas, disapprovingly. "That's for you to keep" eyed Thomas. "Not in
"There is one final thing, Mr Benjamin" stated Thomas. Benjamin groaned with his head buried in the steering wheel. The high beams had all but destroyed his irises from the constant brightness. "In the name of all that is good, what?!" "Have you ever heard of a System?" asked Thomas. Suddenly, Benjamin became alert. His instincts warned of danger ahead in the conversation. Trying to make no sudden movements, he raised his head slowly, and said: "Huh?" Thomas paused as if waiting for some kind of an effect. "A system, Mr Benjamin" he replied. Benjamin shook his head skillfully in the art of acting. "You mean a computer? I don't understand" he said. "Not in the conventional sense, no" replied Thomas seriously. "And, what does this have to do with anything?" asked Benjamin. "Well, the Alliance has information that the Black Family, or one of them, has recently come into the privileges of a 'System'" Benjamin shook his head. "Again, what are you talking about?" "A system is an i