"It's been a while," pulling down the hem of my purple tank top, I stated into the receiver. The sun was shining and the air was warm as it surrounded my bare shoulders. Goosebumps shivered down my arms and I smiled to myself.
"I know," Cobb's deep voice mumbled back. I could hear people talking in the background and I assumed it was probably just his Point-man Arthur. It'd been a while since the last time I'd helped the both of them with an extraction and it's not like they just call me to see what's going on.
"How've you been?" finally, I had arrived outside of my flat and I reached into my purse, digging out my keys. I heard them rattle deep in the depths of white fabric and I struggled trying to retrieve them with one hand.
"Well. And yourself?" Fumbling, I stuck the key into the hole and turned. The door screeched a ghastly noise as I pushed it open; the rust encrusting the hinges were eating away every last bit of silver and I noted that was something I needed to add onto my "to do" list.
"Alright," I dropped my bag onto the little side table sitting next to the door. Even though we hadn't seen or talked to each other in a year, I knew he was calling me for business reasons. "Listen, Cobb. You never call me spontaneously, so there's no need to make small talk," my tone was accusatory. "You and Arthur need my help, don't you?"
There was a long, eerie pause.
"Yes, we do. Well, Arthur says we don't, but I know we will." Nodding my head, I used my shoulder to grasp the phone to my ear as I walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. Yup, of course he needed me for something. That was when I noticed how ironic it was that Cobb had called me right after my assessment.
"Have you had your yearly exam yet?" I couldn't help but ask. Even though he wasn't in the room with me, I felt myself narrowing my eyes. If this was what he needed help with, there was no way I would jeopardize my job to save his.
"Yes, I have."
"Alright…go on," grabbing a yogurt then closing the refrigerator, I picked up a spoon and sat down at my oak table.
"What? Did you think I was going to ask you to help me?" I could hear him smirking over the receiver and the hand around my cell phone stiffened.
"You've had me do some crazy stuff for you, Cobb. I think I have the right to speculate about that."
"Lyrica," all the playfulness drained out of him and he sounded concerned as he continued. Almost bored by how long it was taking for him to get to the point, I shoved a spoonful of blueberry yogurt into my mouth. My stomach grumbled contently in response as the cold, sweet, gooey dairy slid down my throat. "She showed up."
"Who?" I asked with a voice muffled through my mouthful. There was a silence between us as I scraped up another bite and plopped it onto my eager tongue.
"Mal." Whoa! The name sent me into a choking fit and I immediately regretted eating now.
"Mal?" After I recovered, I gasped. "She's showing up in your Report Exams now?"
"Yes, and that's why we need your help - "
"Nuh uh, Cobb, she's crazy," shaking my head, I cut him off and took the phone from between my shoulder and ear. "I may have dealt with a lotta serious stuff, but she is one psychotic projection."
Abruptly, there was hushed arguing and I heard fingers grabbing at the phone.
"Lyrica?" Arthur's voice popped into the other end and I smiled. I know it's silly to miss the people you do jobs with, especially since you never know if you'll see them again, but Arthur is my only exception.
"Yes, Arthur?" Surprised by his sudden appearance, I asked back.
"Cobb won't admit it, but the projection is getting worse," he sounded so serious. I could just picture him standing there with Cobb's cell phone grasped tightly in his hands with white knuckles.
"It sounds like it if she's showing up in important dreams."
"Exactly. We need your help."
"I thought Cobb just told me you didn't think you needed my help?" Smirking, I threw my empty yogurt cup in the trash, lightly kicking the cupboard shut.
"I changed my mind," he huffed in frustration that I'd caught him.
"Sometimes everyone could use a little help...especially when it comes to getting rid of Mal's projection."
After a few seconds of contemplating, I ran a hand over my face and let out a deep sigh. Looks like I was gonna have to help them do their job again.
"You know, I was going to have a relaxing afternoon, but I guess my plans have changed." Arthur chuckled ever so slightly as I let out a long breath. "Where do you want me to meet you guys?"
"You're in Paris, right?" I nodded and agreed verbally. "Come to the workshop."
Hanging up the phone, I grabbed my bag again and headed out the door. What was it gonna be this time? A small investment owner? A lawyer? A schizophrenic? What Copal needed from him, I had no idea...but boy, was that guy fun. All I could do was hope that this client would be just as interesting.