Raph Peoplebuys
She could not say no to this amount of money.
Not with the shifts getting longer and the wage ever lower.
The boss said ‘Doctor Israfil’ was trustworthy.
And he paid an absurd amount of money for a ‘meeting to buy’.
These two facts did not exactly fit well together.
But for now, she got a new phone – which she could keep, apparently – which would tell her what to do, if she indeed intended to cash in on the rest of the ‘meeting-money’.
When she unlocked the phone with the password she got from her boss, a message plopped open, with a photo of a very… white person. Hair, face, clothing. Just the green eyes made sure this was not a black and white photograph. It was a little strange.
The message read: ‘Hello. My name is Doctor Raphael Israfril. I would like to reach a permanent employment contract with you. I would like to meet you today for assessment. Please let a taxi bring you to the following address, show him the QR code below for payment. Thank you’
Gabrielle nipped her coffee during break, being oogled by several guests, some comments about how lazy she is being got added as well.
Five hours to go, still. And then immediately going for the meeting. To be ‘permanently contracted’. So that’s what they were calling it now.
Neither of these options seemed... great
But her feet hurt already. And she did not want to count how often her butt was pinched today already.
Her tiny apartment would have to wait, then. For a little longer. And she would have to see what this… doctor wanted.
The taxi gave her a once-over when she showed him the address, but shrugged, when everything was apparently paid in advance.
When she got out, it was a… mansion. There was even a gate before you could even reach the door. Even if the lawn looked like it hadn’t seen a mower in a decade, the house was big and well taken care of.
When she rang the door, a camera adjusted to her face and a voice box said: “Israfil residence, what can we do for you?”
“Good evening, I’m Gabrielle Jibril, and I got… invited here via phone, for an appointment,” she held up the phone and the camera focused on it.
“Ah, of course, please come in, Miss Jibril,” and the gate buzzed, the camera going blind.
Gabrielle pressed to unlock and took a deep breath. Her boss knew where she was. Her colleagues as well. Not that it would help much, but… at least someone knew.
The gate swung open without any resistance, giving way to a gravelly path, surrounded by wild grass and several bushes, which were buzzing with some insects. It was a little strange, in the city.
But she reached the door soon enough and was greeted by… a butler. …?
“Good evening, doctor Israfil is not home yet, but he is informed you arrived. I’ll bring you to your room,” he opened the door.
Gabrielle went inside, waiting until he had closed the door and took the lead: “Please, follow me”
He didn’t wear shoes, she noticed. Only socks with imprinted soles. It was a bit of an odd look, with the suit pants and shirt and vest. But it all seemed very comfortable. Even the way the man walked seemed less stiff and more just… upright.
They walked through a hall with a few doors going off to the sides, then a wide staircase, twirling up, another hall… and to the right, somewhere, apparently was ‘her room’.
‘Her room’ was bigger than her whole place. And had more doors. There was a table and a desk and closets and huge windows and plants and – behind the doors – apparently a bedroom and a bath.
When she walked around a corner, there was a tiny kitchenette. With a coffee-dispenser that probably would have cost her a year’s salary.
It was a bit surreal.
DING.
She twitched. The phone in her pocket apparently had a ringtone. Or a message-tone.
Fidgeting with it got her immediately to the message – it said:
‘Thank you for coming, Miss Jibril. Unfortunately, I got delayed, please have a meal and dress for the evening, there should be clothes available in your size. The room contains a bathroom, please feel free to use it. Thank you for your patience. RI’
She stared at the display.
…
At least the bathroom had a lock.