Had June realised the existence of the four mobile phones would create a deep dislike for the technology she’d have considered her options when accepting the responsibility. When the second mobile started ringing as often as the first, June found herself confronted with the same people frustrated they still had not gained access to Inferno. It frustrated June but not so much as it disappointed her.
As both mobiles began their regimental chimes at all hours of the day and night, sleep deprivation began to leave June jittery and anxious. Her diet grew lacking, and she consumed too much coffee to get her through. With not much to do around the apartment but watch and listen to the news stations for any word on Specials and answering the mobiles, June reconsidered her position. She did enjoy the opportunity working for Inferno gave her. With her first pay she’d delighted in purchasing small luxuries she’d never have had the opportunity to buy previously. However the mobiles killed her morale.
In bed one night, her internal monologue debated the best way to deal with her situation. Exhaustion consumed her and if something didn’t change soon, she wasn’t going to make it another day working for Inferno. When the mobile rang at three in the morning, June had been awake from the previous call not more than an hour before. Her eyes swelled wide in stress, her teeth clenched together and her lips pursed in anger. She had been answering every call, taking every message, but she wouldn’t do it any longer. Inferno told her to use her discretion and that was what she would do.
June sat up, took the mobile from the bedside table and violently jabbed the answer button.
“Your query had better be important. If not, hang up right now and call back in five hours.”
The line went dead. A wave of relief washed over her and shutting down all four phones, June lay down and decided they could stay off until she was ready to turn them back on.
When June joined Inferno at the kitchen table for breakfast, she discussed the possibility of diverting the four phones to the one. But this idea was shot down when Inferno informed June all four phones had their purposes. This meant the issue of leaving the apartment with the phones and a diary was going to continue. Why there was a need for four phones June didn’t understand and she wasn’t confident to ask. So she let it be.
Inferno left the apartment at seven, as she did every morning, seven days a week. What she did or where she went, June never asked. It was not long after, the same mobile phone that always rang, once again informed June of an incoming call. Still seated at the kitchen table, June picked up the phone and answered.
“Your call is important. Please leave your name, number and message.”
“This can’t be the same woman I spoke to five hours ago.”
The husky voice of the man on the other end of the phone had a certain air about it but June wasn’t going to be swayed. She was working for a super villain; who knew how deadly the caller on the other end of the phone could be.
“Please state your name, number and message.” June repeated.
“I see. That’s how it’s going to be. Can I speak with Inferno?”
“I’m sorry but all calls to this number are directed through me. If you would like to state your name, number and message I will pass your details on.”
“You’re kidding me right?”
“Listen, Mister, I’ve been given this job and I take it very seriously. Now either give me your name, number and message or get the hell off the line.”
The call ended as abruptly as it did the previous time.
“Idiot,” June murmured.
From one side, June caught movement and turning, the appearance of Inferno scared her.
“I never took any calls in the past. Always let them go to voicemail. You’d think they’d be grateful having someone take their calls.”
“How is it they can contact you?” June finally found the courage to ask.
“They ask around. For the right price the number can be bought.”
June thought for a moment, as she watched Inferno turn on the espresso machine and took out two cups.
“You sell it to them?” June asked, astonished. Inferno was making a profit from selling her phone number and nothing more. It seemed devious, and yet ingenious.
“Different numbers for different clientele.”
Inferno made the two cups and placed one in front of June as she sat opposite. From the four mobile phones sitting in a line on the table, Inferno placed her finger on one and drew it out of the row June had arranged them in.
“This phone is for those who think the world owes them something without them giving anything back in return. The lazy and the self-indulgent who get themselves into trouble then expect others to get them out. Humour them if you have too. Tell them whatever you need. When they get desperate enough, they’ll pay for the upgrade.”
Inferno drew out the next phone and placed it beside the one in front of her. Both phones the two June constantly answered.
“This one is the upgrade. When they ring this number, you now know they’re desperate. They’ll talk to you then if they didn’t before. Take down their details and that’s all you need to do. These two phones are for the weak-minded fools who deserve what they get in life. I’m not here to fix their problems.”
June was stunned and not because Inferno was fleecing people, but for the simple knowledge that out the four identical mobile phones, Inferno was able to identify which one was which. Something June struggled with.
“And these two?” June pointed at the last two.
Inferno pointed to one closest to June first, and told her, “Official Organised Corruption.”
She then pointed to the other, and said, “Unofficial Organised Corruption.”
“Official and Unofficial?” June questioned.
“Government and underworld.”
“Oh,” June replied.
“If either of these two ring be polite and take the message. Depending on who is calling I may or may not be interested.”
June looked down at all four mobile phones before looking up, and asking, “Is there anything else I should know?”
Inferno finished her espresso, placed her cup back on the table and said, “I’ll be gone for three days.”
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