Scene 10
Anna stood outside, wondering where the exit was. She spied a uniformed figure washing the floor of the hallway to her right, and headed off to ask directions, wondering what a human janitor was going working at a company as rich as this in an age of mechanical cleaning. When she got closer, the custodian noted her presence and looked up. She was an oddly good-looking female, but quickly demonstrated that her surplus of beauty was more than compensated for by a deficit of brains. ¨Hey,¨ she wanted to know, ¨are you a gladiator?¨
¨Uh, yeah, why….¨
¨Can I get your autograph?¨ I'm trying to collect them from all the Tournament athletes that come in. I'm starting a collection, you know, for my brother. He has Orange Fever and can't go out and asked me to….¨
¨Sure, ok, whatever,¨ Anna replied hastily, in order to staunch the flow of prattle. Orange Fever? ¨You got a book?¨ The girl pulled out a small pad and pen out of her uniform and handed it over, gushing thanks.
¨Wow, awesome thank you! You know, you're so much nicer than that other guy who came in earlier, whatsisname, Malcom? I dunno why he's so popular, what a rude person, didn't even…¨ Anna held up her hand to halt the stream of words. She frowned thoughtfully. ¨Where did you say Malcom went today?¨
¨To visit Doctor Kilgard, just like always.¨ Anna thought she detected an uncomfortable fidget at the doctor's name.
¨Huh.¨ This space cadet might be useful. ¨Hey, I was wondering, my team is trying to get a real sponsorship deal like the one Malcom has, and I need to talk to the doctor. Is his office near here?¨
¨It's in a different module. This building isn't connected, you know, just portals and modules. But you need an appointment to go there.¨
Anna put on her most crestfallen face. ¨Wow, I really needed to talk to him today; we play Malcom's team soon and if they all have stims but not us, I know we're going to lose. By the way, how do the janitors get around this place?¨
The vacuous custodian flashed a magnetic card that she had tucked into a pocket of her shirt. ¨Keycards. They give them to us at the main desk every day when we come in.¨
¨Ah yeah, I had a job like that once,¨ Anna said, thinking quickly. ¨You know I used to be a janitor?¨
¨Really?¨ exclaimed the girl, delighted.
¨Yeah, really. They fired me though, and bought a Janitron 3000. You must be a great janitor, since they've kept you!¨
¨Well, yeah,¨ said the girl, somewhat nervous. ¨I do special cleaning jobs, and Doctor Kilgard… well, I, um…¨
Anna gave herself a mental pat on the back and decided it was time to change the subject. ¨Well, I'm sure you must be great at it,¨ she soothed. ¨Hey, security sure is tight here, no? I bet they change your keycard every day. They did that where I used to work.¨
¨Ha!¨ laughed the janitorette. ¨It's actually easier here. Nobody gets into the lobby without permission, so I just leave my card there at night. It's less trouble.¨
¨Wow,¨ said Anna, smiling, ¨you sure are smart!¨