Chapter 32
Washington, DC; Earth
Henry tugged at his tie as he walked in to the fancy looking restaurant. Until he had caught Jay's legal account he had been a great lawyer, a shark. He fought for his clients, one time literally as she had been in the process of being robbed when they had first met. Henry was an attack lawyer – his law firm would take him out of his gated pen, point him in a direction, and let him go while keeping their hands and fingers clear of the mess.
His opposing counsel tended to hate him as he often operated outside the realm of the courts. He took an all-inclusive view of lawyering, a real hands on approach one could say. Again, sometimes literally. Henry never seemed to get in trouble for such activities however, to the contrary; he had found himself catapulted up the rungs of success the more he did what he did best.
The Firm had sent an alert for him that morning before breakfast. The Honorable Judge Flynn would be taking breakfast at La Rolina's, an expensive and exclusive members only club. The Firm had a membership there, obviously, and although Henry had never been there he wouldn't be turned away. His opposing counsel did not have a membership as far as he knew which would slow down their entry a bit.
He had arranged for there to be issues with opposing counsel's vehicle that morning. Nothing lethal, just a flat tire. Or two. Henry liked to be thorough. It wouldn't stop them for long but every moment alone with the Judge that morning was important. On TV the lawyers always met in a court room and there were rigid rules that were followed. Outside of the courtroom there were rules as well but it could be difficult figuring out when the judge wanted you to ignore them for a moment.
This morning was one such moment. He and his opposing counsel had been summoned by the Judge to arrive for an informal off the books discussion that absolutely would never have happened should anyone ever inquire about it.
Henry paused at the front desk and after showing his identification and verifying his membership he was escorted by a well dressed woman to Judge Flynn's table.
“Take a seat. I hate it when people loom over me,” Judge Flynn said as she used a napkin to wipe a dot of jelly off of her upper lip. She was older with long dark hair and gray streaks throughout it. Attractive, she exuded a feeling of power. She was used to getting what she wanted while deciding what others got as well.
Henry nodded, “Thank you for the invitation Your Honor.” He sat down to the right of Judge Flynn.
She had a first name but no one used it. She was always just Judge Flynn.
“Where is your opposing counsel? You were almost late. They are late.” she said in between bites of toast slathered in grape jelly. “God this is delicious,” she said with a half moan.
Henry blinked. “It wasn't my turn to watch them Your Honor, but I'm here as you requested. I'm happy to start now.”
Judge Flynn laughed, “Yes, I suppose you are, aren't you? Well, in that case, what is this I hear about your client and death threats? It was all a bit confusing and I think we'd get along much better if we just simplified things a bit.”
Henry nodded, thrilled. The judge was willing to speak with him without opposing counsel present. That was a huge no no in this case and Henry loved it. He took immediate advantage of it. “Simply put, my client is a lock in – locked in his mind. No stimuli goes in, no reactions come out. It's torture.”
Judge Flynn set her toast down and after wiping her hands clean took a delicate sip from her glass of orange juice. It left a slight mustache on her upper lip which she cleaned off with her napkin. “I understand that. I'm confused where the death threats come in to it.”
“The defendants AI told my client he would die unless he found some in game item! He's in there thinking he's going to die if he dies in the simulation!” Henry said hotly before he reigned himself in. Judge Flynn could be emotional at times but that did not mean she appreciated emotion from lawyers. “All we are asking is that the defendants set the record straight with my client.”
Judge Flynn nodded, “Ok. Why not tell him yourself?”
Henry gestured gently with his hands, “Defendants won't allow us to. They claim that there is no way to reach my client inside the simulation. Which is fine if that is actually true, but there still must be a way for them to get a message to him, a sign, something.”
Judge Flynn sighed and readjusted a fine gold necklace that hung from her neck as she spoke, “I'm willing to help you two keep this out of the public eye but if I feel like either of you are working against me I'll pull both of you in to a public court room so fast your heads will spin.”
Henry nodded quickly, “I'm only trying to look out for my client, I'm not trying to pull anything here I assure you. We have been allowed zero contact with our client since his admission in to the defendant's program which at the time we agreed to due to the technology being used. I believe it's time for them to show some good faith however.”
“Veronica Halls for the defense, I'm sorry I'm late Your Honor, my car came down with a raging case of two flat tires.” said a young woman with long blond hair and piercing blue eyes. She wore a stylish suit and looked as if she had just come from her second job as a model without taking time to change.
Judge Flynn looked up with one eyebrow raised, “Glad you could finally join us,” she said dryly before glaring at Henry for a moment.
Henry shrugged. Flat tires just happened sometimes. Judge Flynn seemed to see right through him though.
“Right. Well now that you have arrived maybe you can explain to me why you can't set the record straight with.. Jay, right?” Judge Flynn asked.
Veronica nodded and unbuttoned her suit jacket and sat down. “My clients have been working non-stop shifts trying to put together a way to open communications with Jay. It's not as easy as sending a letter or a text. He's in a simulation but from outside it here on Earth it's just a jumble of ones and zeroes, bits in a computer. We don't have a way of translating outside data and delivering to a specific person inside the simulation.”
Judge Flynn looked at her like she was being ridiculous. “So if I were to tell you, right here, right now, that you were to either correct Jay's understanding of his situation or shut down the program completely you would shut it down?”
Veronica looked flustered and swallowed before answering.
“Uh, uh!” Judge Flynn stopped her with a shake of her finger. “Think before you answer that.”
Veronica sighed, “There is one way but we've been loath to use it. It involves upsetting the balance that has been attained in the world Jay inhabits. The AI that runs things there, we could ask her to deliver a message.”
Judge Flynn looked angry, “That sounds suspiciously like an answer to this problem that should have been examined before dragging me and my breakfast in to this!”
Henry smiled but didn't say anything. Judge Flynn's temper could turn on a dime and you never quite knew where it would be pointed towards next.
“The AI has insisted on a policy of non-intervention up to this point. She's repeatedly claimed that even delivering a message might upset the life Jay has managed to carve out for himself so far.” Veronica said while adjusting her jacket.
“She is not the only AI, there are others, and there is an agreement that they will not interfere in the life of Eden's residents. Having the AI deliver a message would be breaking that agreement. Other AI's would then possibly begin to reach out to residents.” Veronica finished with a sigh.
“Why would that be such a bad thing?” Judge Flynn asked with a confused expression.
“In the simulation the more advanced AI's have been revered as gods and goddesses for hundreds of thousands of years. Eden has finally reached an equilibrium after the removal of the interference of gods. Adding them back to the mix would be volatile and possibly dangerous, even to Jay specifically.” Veronica insisted.
“I've played a few video games over the years you know.” Judge Flynn began as she folded her napkin and set it on her finished plate. “I've found that where there's a will there's a way. Here's what I think. I think you're going about things the wrong way.” She sat back and folded her arms across her chest.
“You, Veronica. Your clients have until the end of the week to produce proof that Jay has been notified of his true status as it relates to his existence. You simply can not put a man in fear for his life and then trap him in a simulation. You know that sounds bad when I say it out loud, right? Can you imagine what that would sound like on the news?”
Veronica paled. Her clients had been vehemently insistent that all details pertaining to the Eden project be kept confidential and out of the public eye. “Yes, Your Honor. That would sound really bad.”
“That's right. Which is why your clients are going to find a solution this week. No more trying.” she insisted. “Now let me finish my breakfast.”
Henry grinned. If his client was happy, he was happy. He was simple like that.
The Judge clapped her hands once and the two lawyers stood up and thanked her for her time.
Once outside the building Veronica looked over at Henry, “You're an asshole. TWO tires? I mean one is bad, but doable. But TWO? That was just mean! And you cut the tire stems!! Who does that?”
Henry grinned, “I could say I'm sorry..” he started.
“..but you wouldn't mean it.” Veronica finished for him. She sighed. “You're an asshole.”
She left him standing on the steps. He watched her walk off before grinning.
“Sure, but my clients love me.” he muttered under his breath.
----
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
13 Balance St, K'tharkle City, Eden
Henry would have gotten along swimmingly with Boland had the two ever had the chance to meet. Coming from two different worlds the chances of that were quite slim however. Still, Boland embodied some of the same principles, a hands on approach, a willingness to fight for his clients, and the belief that there's always an answer if you just get creative enough with the solution.
Jay had found the address to be a building entirely dedicated to the bank, which it sat next to. Suite 2 had been easy to find as he had been escorted there through halls decorated with expensive looking rugs and paintings hung on polished dark wood walls.
Boland had turned out to be the exact opposite of what Jay had expected. Instead of the stuffy, uptight, proper gentleman Jay had originally pictured he was presented with a man wearing a suit but looking as if he would be happier in a fight. He was muscled, not at all the thin accountant type he had pictured, and seemed generally happy with his lot in life.
“Jay! Gods it's good to meet you. I'm excited to see what you have for me. I was told you would be an exciting client and I'm hoping you won't disappoint me!” Boland said as he waved Jay to sit down in a cushioned chair almost as big as Jay was. Jay sank in to the cushions as he sat down. It was quite comfortable.
“I don't know about all that. I don't have much yet.” Jay said self deprecatingly before he dug around in his backpack and handed over some papers. One set of papers dealt with his main bank account. The other set of papers were his copies of what he'd given to Toren at the Putt Putt venue along with Jay's copy of the contract he'd signed.
Boland rifled through the pages with a smile before ringing a slender bell and talking softly with a young man before he sent him out with some of the papers. “So what I do,” Boland said while getting himself a glass of wine. “You want some wine?” he asked, interrupting himself.
“No thank you,” Jay said. He had never been much of a wine drinker.
“Can't stop drinking the stuff. Anyway,” he said as he took a sip from his glass, “what I do is whatever you don't. You point me in a direction and I do the rest. Think of me as a fixer. I don't want you worrying about your money, that's my job! You worry about ideas, ok? I'm told you're a bit of an idea man?” Boland asked with a grin.
Jay shrugged feeling a little out of sorts. “I suppose so. I have a business idea that I just started up with a guy named Toren,” Jay said as he pointed at one set of the documents.
Boland nodded and read through them quickly. “Not a bad contract but boy did you leave a lot of work for me! I'll reach out to Toren and assist him in whatever way I can.
“Well I'm pretty sure I'm broke right now so I hope the two gold I gave him originally will cover things.” Jay said with a sigh.
Boland nodded, “Unless you're building a house or a compound I would think two gold would be more than enough from what I saw. I'll read over everything more in depth after you leave but for now I'd say you're in a good spot. Also, you're not broke. Almost, but not quite. Let me ask you something, where do you get your money?”
Jay hesitated and Boland made the wrong connection. “You don't have to tell me if you don't want to but you should know that everything we discuss is privileged. I won't divulge it to anyone without your permission. I have a duty only to you. I don't report to anyone else.”
Jay looked up at that, “I wanted to ask you about that actually. How long are your services covered for?”
Boland laughed, “It doesn't work that way. In my line of work I seek out clients, not the other way around. I don't do this for money. I do this for prestige. I already have more money than I know what to do with. The bank pays me a handsome salary. What I do not have, is excitement, a sense of accomplishment, a feeling that my job matters. Taking you on as a client will fix that. Who can put a price on that?”
Boland took another sip of wine and swished it around in his mouth before swallowing. “You pay nothing. Ever. Others will pay for you. You'll see once things get going. This isn't about money.”
Jay laughed. “That's funny. I thought that was precisely what this was about.”
Boland chuckled, “No, this is about your money. You never need concern yourself about my finances. We will work together for as long as you desire. Feel better now?”
Jay nodded, “Sorry but where I come from things too good to be true often are.”
Boland raised his glass as if to agree before downing the remainder of his wine. “In any other case I'd agree with you, but in this case you're safe.”
“I tend to attract sizable one time donations I guess you could say.” Jay said with a smile. He explained how his abilities worked and used the story of his return of the ring as an example. Boland got real quiet when he realized what the ring represented along with the fact Jay had returned it without a price.
“So you seem to just stumble on to riches it seems.” Boland said with a lopsided grin. “That's a great talent to have. How about this.. mini golf?” he asked.
Jay explained everything he had explained to Toren and Boland quickly caught on. They talked about Jay's idea for designing it as an upscale venue for the rich as they could afford more and Jay needed to recoup his 2 gold somehow.
Boland took copious notes and often would ask Jay clarifying questions. Jay found himself unable to answer many of them and would have to refer him to Toren.
“You're not quite what I expected of a financial consultant.” Jay finally said with a grin.
“Well I'm not exactly just a financial consultant. I told you earlier, think of me more as a full service fixer.” Boland said with a nod. “I like to get my hands dirty.”
They talked a bit more about Jay's life so far in Eden and Boland wasn't exactly shocked to learn that Jay was a Traveler. By the end of the appointment they both felt more comfortable with each other and Boland had a much better grasp of Jay's burgeoning financial empire.
“That should be all for now Jay. I already gave you my card. I'm very excited to be working with you. I'll go and have a word with Toren tomorrow. You can visit me whenever you like but I will also be sending you reports at The Guild to keep you updated. That should be it unless you have any questions?” Boland asked while sitting back in his chair, his face slightly flushed.
Perhaps that wasn't Boland's first glass of wine, Jay thought to himself.
“No, I'm happy to have someone to help me out. When I next get money I'll deposit it and you can help me save it until something good comes up.” Jay said.
“And all I ask is that you talk to me first before you spend it on something good. You can still spend however you want. You just have to talk with me first. That's all.” Boland said seriously.
Jay nodded, “I will. Thank you again for taking me on as a client.”
The two shook hands and Jay left to return to The Guild.
After Jay was gone Boland began to yell at his subordinates, “Get me the planning department head's schedule, I need to see him tomorrow! I don't care if it's his day off, track him down! And find me the tax regulations that apply to new entertainment venues. Have someone register Jay's company too! I'll send you the company name but file it under seal. It's to be kept a secret for now. Send an agent to take a look at the putt putt grounds tonight, I want a report waiting for me when I wake up. Also, pull Toren's file for me if we have it. Let's move people!”
Orders continued to stream out of the office as Boland conducted a symphony of paperwork and bureaucracy, forcing both to dance to his will. K'tharkle didn't know it, but big changes were coming.
----
Jay hadn't seen Aiden at dinner and worried he may have missed it entirely and was worried he hadn't eaten. Just in case Aiden was waiting for him back at Jay's room he picked up a long thin paper bag of spicy meat on a stick at a stall outside the bank before he caught a cart home.
Jay found Aiden sitting in front of Jay's door on a chair he must have carried over with him. He was studying notes from that day's traps class. Jay noticed Aiden had all his fingers back.
“Hey Digits, how you feeling?” Jay asked Aiden with a teasing grin.
“Gods Jay. Too soon. Digits?” Aiden said with a sigh while he flexed and rubbed his freshly grown finger. “It's still a little sore.”
Jay patted him on the back as he opened the door and led Aiden in to the room. Jay set his things down in his bedroom and returned to find Aiden sitting on the chair he had brought. “I got you a present.” Jay said in a sing song voice as he handed Aiden the bag of meats on sticks.
Aiden snatched the bag up and immediately began eating, “Oh THANK you. I'm starving. I completely missed dinner.”
“What happened?” Jay asked, “The infirmary usually has you in and out of there fast when you visit.”
Aiden didn't stop chewing but replied, “I'll tell you what happened, there was a LINE. There were so many injuries from traps classes that I had to wait in line. It took forever. And then the magic didn't take, or the caster didn't know what he was doing, so they had to do it a second time. It was awful.”
Jay tried not to laugh but it was a little amusing. “Well eat up. My appointment went well. Met a guy named Boland, he's going to be helping me out from now on. I just don't know how.”
“Right, the financial consultant guy. He'll probably make sure you pay your taxes and set up your business correctly. I'm guessing what you and Toren agreed to probably wasn't enough to be entirely legal. Lots of paperwork needs to be done for a business in the city I bet.” Aiden said as he took a moment to let the spicy hot feeling in his mouth die down a bit before grabbing another cut of meat on a stick.
“Well about that – he said he's not exactly a financial consultant. He said to think of him as a fixer, whatever that is.” Jay said as he pulled off his boots and leaned back in his chair with a sigh.
Aiden's chewing slowed down for a moment, “He's a fixer?”
“That's what he said, why?” Jay asked in concern.
“It's not bad.” Aiden said reassuringly, “Think of a fixer as someone who does whatever it takes to make what you want to happen come true. They work in the background and talk with people you wouldn't even be able to get an appointment with. You lucked out. What suite was he in?”
“Suite?” Jay said as he took out Boland's calling card. “It says Suite 2.”
Aiden whistled appreciatively. “What suite you're in is a sign of prestige. If he's a fixer like you say and he's in Suite 2 that means he's fairly high up the corporate ladder with the bank. Looks like you might have made a better deal than you thought you would by turning down those stones.”
Shaking his head Aiden turned towards Jay, “Sorry about earlier by the way. I'm not exactly used to being around money and I reacted poorly. I didn't agree with you at the time but now I'm trying to figure out if you somehow planned this all along. Landing a bank fixer willing to take you on is quite a good reward.”
Jay sighed again, this time sounding exhausted. “I didn't plan anything. You were there for most of it. I was just trying to be nice and got rewarded for it. That's all.”
Aiden yawned. He had finished his bag of meat on a stick and looked like he was falling asleep.
Jay smiled. “It's late. Take your chair and go home. You need to be rested for traps class tomorrow.”
Aiden groaned, “Don't remind me. I swear T'lly hates us.” he said as he gave Jay a handshake and half hug. “I'll see ya at breakfast. Nite.”
Jay chuckled to himself as he watched Aiden carry his chair back to his room. Jay returned to his room and undressed, happy to finally get to bed. He closed his eyes and dreamed of playing hide and seek, searching for M'redith until they found each other and finally..
“HELLO JAY.” boomed a voice in his dreams.
Jay found himself suspended in an entirely white space, a great white nothing. He had really wanted to see where that dream went. He sighed in his sleep.
“Hello.. Alice.” Jay replied in his dream.
“We need to talk.” she said.