The Lobby

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I'm surprised by how shaken this still feels after all these years. It haunts me still, every night when I'm supposed to be asleep. I can feel my heart in my throat as the elevator cables sway menacingly. The elevator door opens with a nauseating screech and my senses start to swim. I am too afraid to step into the lobby. I feel like I'm being slowly crushed. I feel that I'm shrinking away from the world. Then all at once, the sensation passes. I blush a little as I realize that I've looked over to the security desk and the security guard is staring at me with startled amusement. I quickly walk quickly across the lobby and into the security office. I breathe deeply and run a hand through my crazy hair as I reach the front desk. The boss in charge of the auction is at the table with a crowd of lesser employees. The droning voices and footsteps behind me start to deafen me. I'm startled by a knock on the door and motion for him to come in.

"Hey you!" I hear him call as he comes in. "Make yourself at home."

"No problem," the security guard begins to say, "But Do you mind if I ask you to take a seat over there?"

"Of course not." I answer coolly, taking a seat. We both give him a nod and turn back to each other.

"I'm Amy," I say to her, sliding a hand across the table.

"Evelyn," the charming security guard replies, shaking my hand.

"I didn't get a chance to say hello before you left," I say with a friendly smile.

"No problem, I didn't mean to cut out early anyway," Evelyn is padding back and forth behind the desk like a caged animal. I can't help but be impressed, he is very good at the nervous dance. Something he adds to his tale but definitely underestimates is his quick way of speaking. It almost sounds like both a grunt and a purr. It's a commanding voice, but it sounds like a nice guy... in a completely natural way.

"I promise I came back right away," she says, as she taps her foot on the carpet. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No," I answer with a fake laugh as I wave my hand in the air, "Not one that doesn't get me into trouble."

"What?" She asks, as she raises an eyebrow

"I mean it!" I say, grinning. "I'm a thrill seeker now. I'm completely done with men. They're all scum!"

"I know how you feel!" Evelyn says, laughing. "I'm not getting involved with another thief again. The last one led me astray!" I can't help but laugh with her. She's relaxing a little now that we're both feeling a little better.

"Now I can see why you've got red hair," I tell her. "You're a combustible one." I lean in a little to finish my sentence. "I mean, because you've got all that passion."

"Ohhh... that's good," she says, before she clears her throat. "Are you here by yourself?" Evelyn asks hesitantly.

"Yeah," I answer, "I'm on my way to break the last of my bad habits."

"I'm sorry," she says, quickly sitting back in her seat. "I really shouldn't be asking so personal questions."

"It's okay," I begin, "I don't mind." I'm about half lying. "I haven't seen my family in years. My whole family is gone, either dead or scattered all over the planet."

Evelyn is still nodding her head in sympathy as though she didn't hear a word I said. "That's rough. Ohhh... ohhhh, this is bad. I'm sorry for getting all emotional on you and everything. It's just that, well, I've only seen one of this beautiful redheads before... and that was ten years ago," she says, shaking her head.

"Ohhh... well then, I guess we already got each others backs," I reply, "Am I lucky that you're the hot security guard too?"

"Well, I mean," Evelyn begins, with her hands on her hips, "I've got a good job, it's not much, but I'm good at it. I mean, I'm doing an important job. You know what I mean?"

"No I do," I reply, putting my hand on top of hers. "You're very brave. I've known a few people who were in tough situations, but they never knew what to do. I don't mean to sound condescending. I only mean that you seem determined. I find that to be a very attractive trait."

"Well, yes, I can be a very determined person," she pauses to think a moment. "But I'm not as brave as I think I am."

"This is true," I say suddenly. "But only because you haven't yet realized how brave you actually are. A lot of brave people are too afraid to believe in themselves. They need to hear that they're doing a good job. They need to hear it from somebody they trust. And you... well you're taking a chance, letting me come here with you. And it's also a little risky speaking with me. But I'm being completely honest with you. You just have to believe. Take what I say and act on it. That's all."

Evelyn shrugs her shoulders and then she leans in a little. "Okay, I'll do it," she whispers, lowering her voice to an almost undetectable whisper. 'What was that? I'm not sure I heard you correctly."

"I said, I'm not going to steal anything," I began again, "And I'm not going to hurt anyone."

"Oh, okay, I see," she replies. "But you do have a pretty tense face, and I feel that I should be a little worried about you. Why don't you open the envelope right by me and look at it? To make sure it's okay."

I lean forward in my seat, averting my gaze from the law notice on the table close to me. I pull out a small velvet bag. I unroll the rag, and a large, bright silver coin rolls out about two inches long and one inch thick. I let out a soft gasp, and my heart pounds in my chest wildly.