"You wanted to see us?" Adelle motioned for them to come in, while she poured herself a drink and finished up her phone call. "Yes, of course. No, not a problem. If it's unusual? Let's just say that a xylophonist is more sought after than what you're asking for." A faint click and the connection was abruptly disconnected. "Bloody hell!" She held out her glass to Topher and Claire. "Oh, no thanks." said Claire and covered her mouth with her hand, as if she were to throw up. "Don't mind if I do. Scotch, on the rocks."
Adelle scoffed and poured him a drink. "Bacardi, there will be no binge drinking in my office, it only ends in rat arsed people hovering over me. I'm not too fond of human conatct, in that particular way and Bob's your uncle."
Adelle was British, he got it and even though he did not always understand her, all he could do was to pretend. Topher accepted the glass and put on a half ass-ed smile.
"Now, what is it that we do here? What is the purpose of our existence, do you know?" Topher shrugged, while Claire made eye contact with Adelle. "Our business is fantasy fulfillment, the pursuit of pleasure."
If you'd ask Claire, Adelle had no feelings, she showed no sympathy. Topher knew better. He was the mediator, he often saw himself as the middle hand, the one to set it all straight, the go to guy who would always lend a helping hand to those in need.
"That wasn't my question. Nothing is ever what it appears to be. You think that paradise exists somewhere outside of these walls? Well you're wrong. Of course, you're free to believe in it, but it wouldn't be fair of me to let you continue to look for it. Claire, paradise doesn't exist. Our pursuits of what we wish for, are nothing but never ending quests. What exactly do you think is waiting for you out there?"
Claire didn't know what it was that she was looking for, but she knew that she was never going to be able to find it, by being cooped up there.
"Whatever it is, it's got to be a hell of a lot better than this!" With that Claire stormed off.
Topher had to finish the battle himself.
"What I don't think you understand is that, we didn't choose this world, this simply became our world and these people? These people, are our family and home, is just another thing for us to forget about. But you don't make friends, by acting the way you do. What gives you the right to break down someone's endless quest of pursuits? Who died and made you God? You don't know what she's gone through, you don't know. Leave her alone."
Topher was furious, although he did not physically see the rage, he could feel it, boiling inside of him.
Adelle had stepped on the line and without realizing it, she had crossed over it as well.
"We can pretend that we don't care, we can say that we're doing it for the good of humanity, because it's what they need. The truth is, that we're scared shit-less of the great unknown. We are slaves of our own impulses, but what makes us human, is what we decide to do. Free will, tell me it doesn't scare you."
Of course it scared him, he was scared beyond words.