Your vehicle will be in section forty-three, the information assistant informed Duncan. He cursed, questioning why they kept his car so far away. Despite his impatience, Duncan was the first to arrive. Inside the Starliners elevator, holographic numbers indicated he was two sections away from his destination. The anticipation to drive his prized possession, a Ford Mustang Mach One passed down over forty generations, intensified. However, Duncan's connection to the vehicle wasn't through a familial inheritance but rather a daring act of thievery from his own father.

A ding signaled Duncan's arrival, and the AI informed him that he had reached his destination. The elevator doors smoothly slid open, revealing a vast car park. Heading towards the receptionist area, Duncan noticed a queue had already formed with other passengers. He sighed and joined the line, appreciating the efficiency of the receptionist who managed the crowd swiftly. The counter was an elegant black-marbled surface with golden veins, manned by a central man and two women on each side in matching blue uniforms adorned with golden stripes.

Approaching the woman on the left, Duncan encountered a blonde with icy blue eyes and a metallic golden square on her face, blinking with blue lights indicating a subprocessor implant. With a bright, almost robotic voice, she greeted him, "Good day, starfarer. I hope you have enjoyed the ride."

"I did, thank you," Duncan replied.

"Great! Input your data so I may assist you." Two miniature doors slid open, revealing a chip scanner emitting a blue light. Duncan hovered his hand over it, and after a couple of beeps, the doors closed. "Your vehicle and luggage will be waiting for you at lot thirty."

"Thank you," Duncan acknowledged.

"It is my pleasure!" The woman smiled, and Duncan moved away, pondering how they could endure such tasks for hours. Entering the lot, holographic numbers identified each vehicle, ranging from simple fusion cars to luxurious, intricately designed models.

Approaching number twenty-four, porters bustled around with passengers' luggage. Finally reaching lot thirty, Duncan found a porter taking selfies with his black Mustang Mach 1, heavily modified over the generations. The porter, startled, almost dropped his phone.

"Apologies, sir. Here are the keys to your vehicle...and also your luggage!" the porter stammered.

Duncan nodded, "No worries."

The porter pocketed his phone and hurried away. Duncan loaded his suitcases into the trunk, pressed the touchscreen interface on his key, and with a honk, the car doors unlocked. Taking a deep breath, Duncan pressed the start button, and the engine's roar resonated through the lot. He relished the reactions to the sound of his gas engine, putting the car in reverse and following the arrows leading to the lot's exit. The powerful engine's noise drowned out the fusion-powered hums of other vehicles, leaving a trail of foreign roars in the parking lot.

Duncan executed daring maneuvers, overtaking cars and parking in one of the lots on the lift. His unexpected moves earned him a few honks from annoyed drivers. Inside the lift, bathed in the headlights of various vehicles, an AI announcement declared, "Lift at full capacity." With the blare of an alarm, the doors sealed shut, and the lift commenced its ascent. The whirring and occasional metallic clanks added to the nervous energy within Duncan, yet the lift soon reached the outside, revealing a bustling scene of spacecraft and skyscrapers.

"You have reached your destination; please enjoy your stay," the AI chimed. A man with glowing wands directed the cars, and as it was Duncan's turn, he sped off, reveling in the deep rumble and roar of his powerful engine. Adhering to the speed limit, Duncan's mind drifted to the two thousand federation credits he had, intending to make them last until he secured employment on the planet.

As Duncan gradually slowed, adhering to the speed limit, he noticed onlookers snapping pictures of his vehicle. Enjoying the attention, he relished the feeling of wealth and importance. Thoughts of his father betrayed but unreported, surfaced, casting a shadow on Duncan's emotions. A deep sigh and a moment of reflection preceded the green traffic light.

Tears threatened to surface, but Duncan held them back. The journey continued with the old-time charm of Isak Roen's "Vampire Heart" playing on the radio. Duncan had already selected his destination—his apartment in quadrant forty-three of the city of Odyssea. As he drove through various areas, the stark contrast between the expensive and cheaper sections became evident, drawing disdainful looks as he ventured deeper.

Feeling on edge, Duncan contemplated turning back but found reassurance in the presence of the Corporate police, FortressSec. Passing a FortressSec patrol vehicle, relief washed over Duncan as he neared his destination. One more street and he arrived at his apartment block with a holographic advertisement on its exterior. Parking on the first floor, the quiet lot was momentarily disturbed by passing vehicles.

Ascending to the third floor, Duncan navigated a run-down hallway adorned with graffiti and neon lights. His apartment, marked '4-02,' revealed a spacious and cozy interior with a massive window, a king-sized bed, and a computer setup. As Duncan settled in, a blinding headache struck. Undeterred, he began a job search, scrolling through various positions. Garbage disposal, FortressSec personnel—options flashed before him, but Duncan stumbled upon the perfect opportunity: a department store looking for delivery drivers, with surprisingly no applicants. Seizing the chance, he applied, leaving nothing to do but wait.

Taking a bath and donning a new outfit, Duncan left his apartment, encountering an old man with intimidating tattoos covering his neck. They exchanged a brief, awkward stare before Duncan broke the silence, trying to ease the tension.

"Morning." He said, raising a hand.

The old man looked him up and down before speaking. "You new around here?" Duncan nodded, "Yeah."

"Which sector did you move from?" The old man asked.

"Oh, I'm not from this sphere, I just arrived today," Duncan corrected.

The old man gave a faint smile, "Welcome to the shit hole my friend, try not to get covered in its filth." The man began to laugh as he walked away.

Duncan watched the old man, perplexed. He put his earphones in and began to play Night Lovell. It was an oldie, but way better than the stuff they play now. His music was interrupted briefly by a subreddit notification with the title r/Should we Glass Earth?" Duncan scowled as he slipped his phone into his back pocket. He loved to use that app; it was a classic, but sometimes, he wondered if the people who used it were mentally unstable. Duncan entered the elevator and headed for the first floor.

Duncan passed the parking lot and stared at his Mustang in all its glory. He would drive it around, but that was too dangerous. He thought it was more dangerous to leave it out in the open. Duncan made his way back to his apartment and grabbed his keys. He returned to his car and took out some tarp from the trunk, and in one swift shove of his hand, the tarp lay gently on the vehicle. His car was now even more secure.

Duncan's pocket began to vibrate. He stuck his hand in and grabbed his phone; he was receiving a call. His heart raced as he realized the number, and he could not help but wonder why they got back to him so early. He answered hands shivering slightly. "Hello, good morning," Duncan said. "Good morning, am I speaking with Duncan Archer?" The man on the other end asked. "Yes sir, that is me." "Would you be able to start working today?" "Yes please."

"Would you be able to get here for nine?"

"Of course!"

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"I look forward to seeing you."

The call ended and Duncan's heart was racing slightly. He looked at the time and it was now eight-thirty. If he took a maglev train he would certainly reach his destination in time. He left his car and made his way toward a train station. He received some looks as he dashed toward his destination. Duncan made it to the Station and the look of it was very pleasing to the eyes. It was lit by sky-blue ambient lights that illuminated the train's passenger compartment and lined the edges of the stylish white canopies that were placed as segments over the sitting area. The train that would take Duncan to his destination arrived and it slightly screeched as it began to slow down. The doors slid open and the passengers started to leave hurriedly.

It was now fifteen minutes into the train ride and the nervous thumping of Ducan's boots on the floor sent metallic rings throughout the train car. This made some people give him some concerning looks. Suddenly, the Ai intercom announced, "Arriving at Quadrant Forty-four in two minutes. Duncan blew a sigh of relief as he checked the time. "8:47."

The mag-Lev train came to a halt, but Duncan was already standing by the door. When it slid open, he dashed for his destination startling a few people who wanted to enter the train. Duncan ran hard and fast to his destination. He bumped into some pedestrians but quickly apologized before sprinting up the steps that led to the upper city. Revealed to him, was a bustling city. A sea of people walked to and fro. A line of cars that stretched to the horizon was stuck in traffic, and many of them honked their horns and cursed at each other. The buildings towered to the heavens, making their peaks invisible in the clouds. Spacecraft entered and exited the atmosphere, and it was continuous with no end in sight.

There was no way Duncan could've made it in time, but the least he could do was try. He began his sprint again, shouting that he was "Coming through!" Duncan checked the GPS on his phone to make sure he was going down the right streets. It was 9:00, but he did not want to get there any later. He checked his GPS once more ignoring the bright-colored line that led him to his destination. He looked about the map of the city to find any shortcuts. He locked his eyes on a left turn that would send him on a path to the alley beside the job he was going to. Duncan slipped his phone into his pocket and began to walk to the left turn he saw on the detailed GPS map. As expected the alley was right there, filled with trash and one singular vending machine that seemed to be working because of the blinking light.

Duncan made his way down the dirty and sketchy alley, moving quickly. He made the right turn, and the job he was looking for was right beside him. He approached the street when the shutter door at the back of the building began to open.

Duncan stopped in his tracks. His body told him to run, but he knew that he needed this job. He quickened his pace even more as the shutter fully opened to reveal a girl in a blue apron, with garbage in hand. Duncan slowed now so, as to not startle her. She was pretty, with black hair dyed with silver on the tips, and put into a bun. Her nose was adorned with a septum piercing, and her eyes were a striking blue. She wore black cargo pants that stopped a little over her ankle, with black and pink sneakers.

Duncan usually wouldn't say anything to a stranger, but he made it his priority not to scare her. She stopped in her tracks eyes widened at the stranger coming down the alleyway, but she averted her eyes and threw the garbage into the waste skip. Duncan passed but not before saying something. "How're you doing today?" He asked, hands in pockets. The girl put on a smile that Duncan knew was fake and she responded, "I'm fine, thanks." Before heading back into the building.

He was now at the front of the store, Called the "Urban Vogue." He stood at the front, nervous and sweaty, as women with their reusable shopping bags exited the store laughing and talking. Something in his brain was telling him to avoid this place at all costs, that this job wasn't worth it. He was here already, what's the point in running away now?

He entered the store, and it looked classy. Everything was white beside the clothing that hung on robotic mannequins that switched poses every ten seconds. The roof of the store waved slowly like the ocean on a calm day. Clothes hung on circular racks that spun clockwise at a rate that was manageable for viewing, and many women lingered by them sifting through the various items while being assisted by female workers who wore green, yellow, purple, pink, and blue aprons. In the distance in the corner of the store, was a small section dedicated to men's fashion. It was empty.

Wasting no time, Duncan went to the nearest worker in a light blue apron who sat on a short white stool and chewed gum while scrolling through her phone. When I approached, she slipped her phone into her pocket before rising to assist me. "How may I help you?" She said with her hands behind her back.

"I'm looking for someone in charge, I have a job interview today."

"Oh, you're the new driver?" She asked with her left hand on her hip while pointing the other at me.

Duncan shrugged, "I guess I am." "Okay, follow me," she said making her way past me and going toward the wooden door beside the register. The door led to an empty lunchroom illuminated by a white light. The woman continued up the stairs in front of us, before stopping at a mechanical door with the name August Garrington on it. A buzzer and a talking interface were beside the door and she pressed it making the interface turn green before she leaned and spoke into it.

"Mr.Garrington, the driver has arrived!" She shouted into the buzzer.

It was a few seconds before a warped voice responded. "Send him in."

"You go ahead now," the woman said turning and smiling at me. She walked down the stairs and her hips swayed gracefully as she did so. A low metallic zip was heard as the mechanical door opened. Duncan turned and entered the office of Mr.Garrington. It was a sight to behold. The room was gradient with a mix of gold and silver light. The silver light came from the massive holographic TV, and the golden light came from the rectangular lights embedded in the ceiling. The room was decorated with a mix of antique and modern furniture and electronics. Behind his desk was an office chair not of this age, and books were stacked messily atop his desk. On the shelves were clothes folded neatly and packed tightly so no empty spaces were left out.

Duncan was in a time machine, or dimensional machine, for he laid his eyes upon items of different ages. His eyes finally landed on Mr.Garrington, an old man a stylish one at that---stood facing away from Duncan, eyes peeled on his computer. He wore a black fedora that covered silver hair. He wore a black blazer and black patterned slim-fitting trousers.

Duncan stepped forward, nervous. "Good morning, Mr.Garrington." He said, straightening his posture. Mr.Garrington stood silent, swiping his laptop screen before speaking. "You're late, Mr. Archer." He said, his voice sounding more posh than it did through the buzzer.

"I apologize sir, but I came from Forty-three, and your call was unexpected," Duncan said, sounding as sorry as he could.

"Understandable," Mr. Garrington retorted. He finally stopped scrolling and met Duncan's eyes, and they were a beautiful silver color that matched his hair. His tie matched the color and pattern of his pants and he wore a silver chain that had a red gem encased. "Be warned Mr. Archer, this is the last time you will ever be late, I don't want to hear any excuses. Do you understand ME now?"

Duncan was taken aback by his sharp and demanding tone, but he agreed nonetheless. "Good!" Mr. Garrington said with a bright pearly white smile. "The vehicle you will be using is in the garage." He opened the drawer of his desk and took out a rectangular key with curved edges, and also a tablet. "On this tablet, there is a list of people to whom you must deliver some clothing items, everything else you need to know is on the tablet as well. Also, here is the key, ask one of the girls to show you to the garage," Garrington said, throwing the keys at Duncan.

Duncan caught the keys effortlessly before giving a small salute and leaving Mr.Garrington's office with the tablet underarm. He made his way out of the office and down the stairs where the girl in the light blue apron who brought him to the office waited. "Hope he didn't treat you too harshly she said with a bright smile on her face.

The girl's skin was brown and flawless. Her hair was put into two loosely done buns at the top of her head. Her eyes were green, and her lips were glistening and full. A gold thin gold chain sat on her neck and a small circular earring adorned her ears.

She was a pretty cute girl like most of them that he saw working in the store, but the one that he saw outback was most stunning to him. His thoughts were interrupted when the girl introduced herself. "The name is Evangelina," she said extending her hand for a shake. He shook her hand and introduced himself also. "And I'm Duncan, a pleasure to meet you." It was a few awkward seconds before, Duncan broke the silence, extending the tablet that Mr.Garrington gave to him. "I have to go make a few deliveries, can you show me to the garage?"

"Sure! Let's go."

Duncan followed her out of the cafeteria and past the register toward the circular spinning racks. He walked straight down an aisle close to a wall that had many shoes displayed on it, and we were headed toward another door. This time, the door led straight to the garage where a large silver van with curvy edges, and the words written boldly in black "Urban Vogue." The two double doors at the back were open and a girl that Duncan recognized loaded Urban Vouge shopping bags into the van.

"This is it," Evangelina said standing in the doorway. "

Duncan nodded and thanked her before she closed the door. The girl that Duncan met in the alleyway exited the van and was startled to see who it was. "Oh, it's you. I had no idea you were going to be the new driver."

He smiled hands in his pockets and nervous out of his mind. "I'm Duncan, it's a pleasure to meet you, again," he said letting out a chuckle.

"Yeah," The girl said chuckling as well. "I'm Briseis, the pleasure is mine," she said placing her hand on her chest. "Ah, well, I already loaded all the orders into the van, so you are set."

Ducan unlocked the van. "Thanks," He said making his way toward the driver's side. Briseis gave two thumbs before swinging her hands awkwardly. "Oh, right! Let me open the shutter for you," she said, making her way to the interface on the door. She pressed the button and slowly, it began to rise. It finally opened, and Duncan started the van and it let out a long high-pitched whistle. He honked the horn gaining a wave from Briseis.

'I think I'm gonna enjoy this job.'