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CHAPTER FIVE - A HISTORY

Despite the associated rewards, life as a thief didn’t suit Andrew. He hated his daytime occupation of cab driver and occasional chauffeur, but at least he wasn’t forced to bully and threaten. Also, as far as driving was concerned, he was a natural; a confident professional in absolute control. Physical intimidation did not come naturally in any way and the threat of being caught was now a cause of intense anxiety. He was beginning to wonder if it was all worth it, although his frequent hotel visits suggested that it was.

            Tense and increasingly troubled, he caught Ellen’s eye. She was certain of his potential immediately and just as convinced that he could be tempted. She knew that he liked a shot or two before his evening began, so she approached him at the bar. Confident in her ability to attract attention, she sat and smiled, waiting as her blue eyes all but hypnotised him. Holding his gaze, she signalled for two drinks knowing the barman had eyes only for her.           

            ‘You’ll have another?’

            ‘Yes, er…’

            ‘Ellen, my name is Ellen.’ Still fixed on his eyes, she smiled again, brightly, and held out a hand.

            ‘Hello Ellen, I’m….’

            ‘Andrew. Yes, I know. Nice to meet you in person Andrew.’

            ‘What do you mean ‘in person’ and how do you…’

            ‘Know your name? I know your name and I know so much more than that.’

            ‘Look, thanks for your offer of a drink, but this is a bit creepy. I don’t know who the hell you are, or who the hell you think you are, but I’m going now.’ Andrew climbed off his stool, a look of bewilderment and anger etched across his face.’

            ‘Wait Mr Green. Mr Andrew Green.’ The words stopped Andrew in his tracks. ‘Please sit and have your drink.’ Andrew sat down without thinking, his mouth open but lost for words.

            ‘Good, good.  That’s better isn’t it? Now then, my name is Ellen St Peters and I’m the manager here. It’s my business to know the guests. Who they are, where they are from and very importantly what they do.’

            ‘Look Ellen, I pay my bills here so…’

            ‘Please, Mr Green, let me finish. I know that you pay your bills and actually this leads me back to what I was saying. What people do.’ Ellen paused and fixed Andrew with one of her trademark stares, ice cold and piercing. ‘You, for instance, are a driver of cars, yet I know it is not this line of work that brings you back to me again and again. Is it Mr Green?’

            ‘I don’t know what you are talking about.’ Andrew shook his head and looked away, happy to escape her eyes for even a second. He felt exposed and deeply uncomfortable.

            ‘Don’t you? I think you do Andrew. I mean look, you’re sweating now and you’re tense. You’d think the police were here.’ Now Andrew looked up, the panic on his face obvious as he scanned the room.

            ‘Relax, there are no police. Unless you want me to call them?’

            ‘No, you’ve made your point.’

            ‘Good. I’m sorry if I upset you, it’s just that I don’t like playing games. So, can I continue?’ She waited for his quiet agreement.

            ‘I know how you pay your way here and I have no desire to see you get arrested. I simply have a proposition for you.’

            ‘Why doesn’t that surprise me?’

            ‘Oh come now, Mr Green, don’t be so negative. I really can help you.’

            ‘Go on.’

            ‘You’ve been coming here for some time. Long enough to know how varied the experiences used to be, especially in the early years.’

            ‘I suppose so.’

            ‘You haven’t noticed how consistent the level of excitement is now? After all, you keep coming back don’t you.’

            ‘I just thought I was on a run of good luck. I always get an intense buzz but I haven’t questioned why.’

            ‘It’s not luck. We have a system. Firstly, there is a sedative that relaxes inhibitions whilst making secondary penetration so much easier. Secondly, there are the minds that are being opened up. Exciting, sexy, dangerous minds. Minds like yours.’

            ‘But I come here anyway. Anyone could take my dream.’

            ‘Yes, but this way, with the drug, reach the darkest recesses. Also, you are more easily accessible.’

            ‘So give me the pill. We all get what we want, no?’

            ‘Not entirely. We get what we want. You don’t experience a dream, not even your own. It’s a side effect of the drug.’

            ‘Oh, great. So what do I get?’

            ‘Our gratitude and not arrested.’ Ellen paused as she saw his jaw stiffen in anger, observing his eyes flickering as he calculated his possible options of escape.     ‘Look Andrew, don’t get all torn up over this. There is an incentive. You get two free trips a week.’ She looked on smiling as his features softened.

            ‘Two every week?’

            ‘Yes, and no robberies. That’s not so bad?’

Andrew felt his heart slow as his breathing eased. A cool calmness returned. Looking up he extended a hand.

            ‘You’re on.’