The murder card

Dear diary, the day of my EasyTell shift has arrived and been done. I’ve been thinking about it, ever since it first opened. I was looking forward to taking a break from retail and all the hard work. Even more so, I am looking forward to just sitting in a big and comfy chair, just listening to people talk all day. I don’t even half to listen really, I can just kind of do the half listening, and ask them question. It doesn’t seem to hard, but Diane made such a big deal about it. After her second shift was finished, she went to the store manager and cried to him. She made it seem like a hard and brutal job, that she can no longer perform. She cried and cried and eventually the manager found pity on her. He told her, if she got a doctor’s note, stating that she is unable to perform the service EasyTell, she wouldn’t have to do it anymore. If she wants to do it, it’s her choice, and I don’t blame her for it, but I could never give it up. I am well aware that some murder description can get brutal and maybe even hard to listen to, but then I can do the half listening thing anyways. This service had people talking, some think like Diane, that it’s a hard job. Some think like me, that it’s a cushy job, but some people protest. For the first time ever, I saw a protest group yesterday, right in front of the main entrance to the store. I forgot their name but I can remember that those people are against the Murder cards and everything EasyWay is doing. The new EasyTell service got them riled up and mad. They were loud, they were organized and antagonizing people going into the store. They didn’t harm anyone, I assume because they are against violence, they were just angry. They were screaming such things as “EasyWay ruined our society!” or “The company is slowly destroying all of us!” My intention was to just walk by, ignoring them completely, but I was not successful in doing so. I hear a man shouting something behind my back, which was clearly aimed at me. He yelled something like, “you are letting EasyWay ruin your life”. I can’t remember the exact words though. He must have not liked my EasyWay uniform, but I do, because it is surprisingly stylish. Black, tailored flared dress, with big sign in the front and in the back, written in orange, saying EasyWay. I turned around, to see a young man, around my age. His hair is blond, which is something you don’t see often these days. Tall and thin, looking very tired. His youth was masked with many worries lines and dark circles under his eyes. His clothes looked pretty beaten too. I calmly asked him, how exactly is EasyWay destroying our lives. “They brainwashed you into thinking murder is okay! But it is not!” He shouted back at me. “But you see, it isn’t. It’s actually quite natural in animal kingdom.” I said back to him, trying to provoke him. “It’s not just the murders. They treat us like animals!” was his response. He like that someone was acknowledging him, but he wasn’t aware I was just having a little fun with him. Without me saying anything, he continued. “We work, so they can live comfortably!” I interrupted him, by simply asking where he worked. He didn’t expect so, probably because no one has ever asked him. He told me he doesn’t work. Which was brave of him, because not working is a dangerous game, on should not play unless you wish to get killed. He quickly gathered himself and continued, telling me it’s not important where a person works or doesn’t work. “We must focus on taking down EasyWay. They are making us kill each other, when we are no longer needed!” He says with great passion. He truly believed his words, but sadly, I did not. I don’t mind his way of thinking, but unfortunately, it will get him nowhere, except being killed. And the rest of the group as well. “But you have to admit, our social structure is far better than it was just couple of decades ago.” I say, just to see what he would say. I liked talking to him, because it made me feel as if I belong, as if a am a part of something and he isn’t. I felt as if I was above him, even though today no one is above anyone. But I think I can make an exception here. He did not agree with me. He told I and the rest of us, were merely brainwashed onto thinking that it is. In his passionate opinion, humanity has not seen darker days than the days that are now. He then of course added that EasyWay is destroying our lives, like some kind of broken record. “Well, since I got a job here, they made life easier for me actually.” I say to him in a snarky voice. After that, his eyes filled with sorrow, as if his bellowed pet has just died. “You poor soul. That is awful. To think they made your life better.” He replied, with sincerity I was not expecting. He seemed nice and caring. It’s a shame he’s involved with that group, he made his life miserable on purpose. Maybe he is the one who is brainwashed. But I have to admit, I was getting curious. So I asked, why he feels so bad for because I am working here. “I can’t tell you here. They’re watching us.” True, there are cameras all around the mall, but that’s just for safety, not for spying on people. At that point I was done. I had my fun, I provoked him, made him think like I care, but with a scoff I let him know that I don’t and I walked away. I thought that would be the last time I would see them, but I was quickly proven wrong, when I saw them again the next morning. The man I talked to yesterday was here again and he noticed me. He waved me, confused, I waved back which was a mistake on my part. He took that as a sign to talk to me. “Did you maybe change your mind?” He asked, with a hopeful tone. With a firm no, I answered him and immediately headed to work. For the first time, since working here, I was actually excited about what the day has to offer me. I walked in to the store, which was more crowded than usual. I was eager to start my shift, but my manager wanted to see me. I didn’t mind it; it was just probably to inform how I should do things. I soon arrived at the manager’s office, who was clearly annoyed and bothered by the group. I of course agreed and mentioned my conversation with one of them. Apparently he didn’t notice that on the cameras as he was shocked by my statement. As soon as that older and heavier man learned that, he stormed out of the office, not saying anything. I wasn’t sure if I should wait for him or go. I waited for as long as I could, but at some point I had to go, so I would be late. I found out where went, the second my shift ended. My name was called over the speaker, asking me to report to the manager’s office. So I did, wondering why. Especially after the confusing morning. At first I thought I was being evaluated on my performance today. Or that I will be yelled at because I talked to that group. Soon I arrived, I notice a few people there besides my manager, people I did not know. An older, African American woman spoke. She had presence, confidence, it was obvious, she was in charge there. She politely introduced herself as the president of EasyWay, Mary Rogers. I was honored to be in her presence and at the same time felt so little. No one else introduced themselves, I could only assume they were her assistants or bodyguards. She went right to the point. I was called in because of that activist group. EasyWay has been trying to catch them for years, but so far unsuccessful. They were sneaky and good at hiding. Their chips can’t be tracked or monitored, as they disabled them, appearing as if all their members are dead. They tried putting a spy in the group, but they are smart, and recognize one immediately, so one was able to get any information about them so far. She thinks I could be the one to infiltrate their group. I was unclear as why she thought I was a good fit, since I don’t have proper skills to spy or to act. “You seem to have a special connection to their leader.” She answered my question. I had a feeling that guy was the leader. No one else was engaging in a conversation. And this morning when he approached me, I felt as if he was trying to recruit me. She asked me to join the group and report back to her. If I succeed at giving her any useful information, my effort will be payed generously. So I agreed. I could use some extra money and the more information I get, the more I get payed. And if I get paid well, like she promised, maybe I’ll be able to afford vacation only the rich can. Maybe I’ll be able to swim in an ocean after all. I am well aware this won’t be easy, but I can at least try. So this day was by far, one of the most interesting I have ever had. I was able to listen to those Murder card descriptions and as if that wasn’t enough, I met the charming but strict president of EasyWay.