I regained my train of thought. I was on my knees back at camp. That name sent me to an unwanted look at my past. I looked up to see the maple skinned man in the dark suit. He laughed as I picked my shaken body off the floor.
"Now we can't have any clumsy people on our team".
"What team and how do you know that name?" I asked finally sitting on the lower bunk.
He stood silently.
"Are you a recruiter"?
"I guess you can call me that", the man replied
"I haven't played basketball in a long time. I would be no use to your team, plus I have a contract with the Army for two years"
He looked a little puzzled. "Everyone knows you don't belong here".
"What? Oh let me guess you think I belong on a runway too".
Once again he looked puzzled which made me feel self conscious.
"So why are you here?"
"You have already guessed the important part. I'm a recruiter for an …Important business. The company I work for helps the world. You could be a part of something that balances the world." He smirked like it was an inside joke.
"What does your COMPANY want with me?"
"Well it's complicated."
What could be so complicated with answering a question? Just spit it out. Pushing him to answer would work.
"What stood out about me to make me a candidate?"
"Well, first of all it was your record. My company has a finds an interest in people with a history. The company sees this as potential."
"Potential for what?"
"Potential to be successful in this company"
He just took me in a little annoying circle. He still stood in the curtain way, face as serious as cancer. Was this a part of his company? Dressing in funeral suits and looking mean. If it was I definitely didn't want to be a part of it.
"Do you want to know more?" he asked breaking the silence. His face was still blank. As much as I wanted to say yes I couldn't. There was no getting past the Army. The contract is binding with only two ways out death or going AWAL. And the chances of getting caught were really high. This made me think of how stupid my idea was.
"Yea, sure" I said skeptically.
"Follow me" he said disappearing behind the curtain.
That made me think about where my camp mate was. She should've been here by now. I followed the man thinking I didn't even know his name. Maybe this was a trap and he was getting ready to drag me to a military prison. Drag because I wasn't going away without a fight. That didn't explain how he knew my name and how he even got in, especially at night. I followed without a protest. He led me out to a black suburban with tinted windows. This confirmed my fears, prison for 30 years. He opened the passenger door to let me in. I guess chivalry isn't as lifeless as they say. I thought they put the convicts in the back. I climbed in. There were no bars, no police lights, or even a radio to talk to dispatch. It looked like a regular factory SUV. He climbed in looking pleased with himself.
"And they said you might be difficult"
"Who are they" I asked.
"Just people at the company".
He started the car while examining me.
"You look different from my high school pictures"
The shock was all over my face. Pictures of me were mostly taken with my hair straight. I had been rocking the bushy ponytail because the ARMY didn't allow anything other than their so called necessities. So bringing my flat iron was not an option.
"You're still a beautiful young woman" he said trying to restore my confidence. It worked.
"I'm not allowed to leave camp" I said noticing we were moving.
"I talked to your commanding officer and everything has been straightened out."
"Straightened out! I'm on a contract." I nearly screamed my last words.
"Your contract was terminated as of," he looked at his watch "45 minutes ago".
I kept quiet, still in shock, as we rode through the heavily guarded gates.
"Judging by your profile, I thought you didn't want to be here", he said clearing up the awkwardness.
It was true. I don't think anyone fully want to be in the Army. No one can agree with the government %100. I stole this opportunity to ask about The Company. Judging by his Rolex The Company had to pay well.
"What do you do at The Company?"
"I do a lot of things, mainly traveling to various countries to meet new people".
He was being too vague for my liking. Salesmen always tell you the good stuff to reel you in.
"What's the catch", I asked.
His smirk almost went unnoticed.
"Well…" He paused, "That's very complicated".
Damn, was anything basic with this guy?
"I'm sure I can handle it"
He took a deep breath, "That's what I'm afraid of".
Whatever his job is, it pays well. He was able to afford a real Rolex. I saw how that time piece ticked the right way. The show To Spot a Fake on NBC is the reason for that knowledge. It could've been stolen.
"Could you at least TRY to explain it to me?"
"Okay but consider yourself warned."
I waited for him to talk as he took a left turn at a light.
"It's unknown how many people work for the company, but the objective is still the same. Every job or assignment is related to politics, along with everything else in the world. The assignments are all linked to a common balance of the world. A few examples would be that peace cannot exist without war and societies cannot thrive without violence. It's all about balance. Have you ever heard of a perfect country?"
I thought for a second and said "No".
He laughed a little while saying "If you do, be sure to inform The Company"
"Why?"
"Because we would change that. You see, most of the time we don't have to intervene. Community's have their misfits. But sometimes The Company has bigger issues to tend to. Some are easier than others but at the end of the day, the job must be done to..."
"Let me guess, keep the balance of the world" I interjected.
"You're very right. You're learning quickly, I must say I'm not surprised."
It was my turn to ask the questions.
"How did you become employed by the company?"
He thought for a moment and said, "It was very similar to what I am doing to you, except it was at my house. I was more frightened then you are. My recruiter revealed things I thought no one knew. He told me about the time I broke into my neighbors' house without being caught. He told me about the time I ran away when I was 16. He even told me who I lost my virginity to."
We pulled into the parking lot of the Marriott while he finished his recollection. Maybe he wanted to park and talk. He looked at me with his serious face and said "You must be sure not to tell anyone about this. Everything I tell you must stay in your head. You mustn't talk to anyone for any reason. That includes front desk, housekeeping, or anyone you see. Don't answer the phone and most importantly don't call anyone. Has everything I said been made clear?"
I was taken aback by his last question. He sounded as if he was my father, if I had known what his voice was like. He was no way near the age my father would be. He couldn't be thirty yet. He was mature. Maybe he was over thirty, if so he should give me beauty tips.
"Yes I understand very well," I said with a slight attitude.
"Okay, here's your key. You will be in room 213. Remember what I've said."
He got out of the car and opened my door before I could get my seat belt off. I got out of the car looking down remembering I still had my camp wear on. He must've read my mind.
"You have clothes and other items in your room"
I still had questions. I wondered if I would see him again.
"You will receive further instructions in the morning. Oh yea, don't answer the door."
He began to walk away.
Before he made it to the truck I yelled, "What's your name?"
He turned around and said "Craymer".
