**TAP**

**TAP**

**TAP**

The man in the suit rests his cheek against his hand while his other hand taps on the table. “How should I explain it?” The man wonders aloud, considering the best way to say it.

Leo raises an eyebrow. He still had no idea what was going on. The only thing he was sure of was that for some magical reason, he somehow had a new body. He wasn't sure if it was some sort of weird technology or it really was magic, but he knew that something was going on… Something he didn't understand.

The man pats the table with his hand, putting a stop to his fidgeting. “Okay, I guess I’ll say it like this. You, my dear Leo, you had your shot. You lived, you loved, you laughed, you cried. You did what a human man should do, and I read your file, your life wasn’t bad. Had some ups and downs, but that’s the same with everyone. The point is that you lived it.” The man says with a smile before raising a finger. “And now…” He says, his smile turning into a smirk.

Leo gives the man a suspicious look. “And now what?” He asks, feeling some apprehension.

The man extends his hands to the side in a ‘what can you do?’ gesture. “And now, my dear Leo, now you’re done.” He says, not quite sure how else to put it.

“Done? What do you mean done?” Leo asks, not quite liking the sound of it.

The man lets out a sigh. “I mean you’re done. Like you’re done done. You had your fun, you got your turn. And now, you’re out of the game. All that’s left now… Well, all that’s left now is work.” The man says before letting out a loud laugh.

Leo continues to stare, confused. He still didn't understand. “What are you talking about? I mean, I’m here aren’t I? How could I be done? No, in fact, I’m not done. I still got shit to do!” He says with a raised voice, refusing to believe it.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Easy, easy, big guy.” The man says as he tries to calm Leo with a gesture. “Have some more coffee. It’s getting cold.” He suggests with a gentle voice.

Leo takes a deep breath. He grabs the coffee and chugs the rest down.

“Your body, and your life… It won’t be the same as you’re used to. You’re now under the Black Star Corporation. And that… It has a lot of implications. For instance, the body they gave you, it won’t get tired, and it won’t age, and… Unfortunately, the sensations aren’t the same as a normal human body. Those are… They’re luxuries to people like us. And like all luxuries, those have to be earned.” The man explains with heavy eyes. He lets out a sigh and rubs his head at the dreadful idea before reaching into his jacket and pulling out a case. He opens it up and pulls out a cigarette before holding it in his mouth.

Leo continues to stare blankly. What the fuck is this guy talking about? He wonders, trying to figure out the meaning of his words. He wasn’t sure of a lot right now, but the weirdness that he was involved with… It was now starting to sound a little messed up.

The man looks to Leo. “Hey, you want one?” He asks casually.

Leo looks to the cigarette and raises a hand. “No, it’s okay. I don’t smoke.” He says, politely refusing.

The man lets out a snort and takes out another cigarette before reaching out to give it to Leo. “Take it. You’re undead now Leo. And fortunately, that means that cigarettes won’t be able to harm you. But fuck do they still feel good. Take it, trust me. I’d be a chain-smoker if I could, but the higher-ups limit the pleasure you can get from this if you have too much.” The man explains without a care.

Leo lets out a sigh. “Fuck it.” He says before taking the cigarette.

The man holds out a lit flame and lets Leo light his smoke before bringing the lighter in to light his own smoke.

Leo takes deep inhale and exhales slowly. “Fuck, that’s good. I haven’t smoked in years.” He says, reminiscing at some fond memories.

The man lets out a chuckle. “Once a smoker, always a smoker. Or at least that’s my opinion.” He says before inhaling deeply and letting out a cloud of smoke. “Anyways, this. This cigarette. That coffee. This is what it means to be undead. This is what we live for. But unfortunately, to enjoy these things, we have to work.” The man says before letting out a chuckle. “And trust me, you’ll want to work. Fuck, can’t even sleep without some asshole from above telling you you’re allowed to.” The man grumbles to no one in particular.

Leo’s eyes widen. “Can’t even sleep? What do you mean?” He asks somewhat anxiously. His mind begins to bring up all the random things he’s heard about undead. Am I no longer allowed to rest? He asks himself. Suddenly, Leo felt a heat in his body and he began to sweat. Fuck, fuck. Am I really undead? This has to be a joke, right? He continues to think anxiously.

The man in the suit lets out a smile. “It means what you think it means. You won’t be allowed to sleep unless you’ve done enough work for the day. See, people like us, we’re out of the game. We don’t have to worry about shelter, food, dying, any of that. But there are still people who are in it, living life, and trying their best. Everyone one of them is considered special by the higher ups. And for them to take care of the people properly, people like us exist. If we want to be able to enjoy cigarettes and coffee, and sleep, we have to work.” The man says before letting out another cloud of smoke.

Leo continues to stare blankly, considering the words. “Well, fuck.” He says, unsure of what else to say.