Scarlett sat in an armchair. Peso shut the door. He dusted himself off and sauntered over. “I can get you coffee if you’d like.” He said politely. “It would be my pleasure.”

“I would appreciate it.” Scarlett replied, gazing into the horizon.

“You did fall asleep for about an hour and a half, after all.”

After Nanè left, Scarlett found themself and Peso heading through a labyrinth of headache inducing reflective halls. Till’ they reached some room, of course.

And apparently Scarlett fell asleep.

“W-Where were you?”

“I had enough time to finish up some documents in my office.” He reassured, heading over to an odd machine in the corner. “How big of a cup do you want?”

“Large.”

A long buzz was followed by pouring water. He turned off the machine. A low hum barely peeped behind the silence. “God, it’s cold in here.” He muttered. He handed the cup over the back of Scarlett’s chair. They took it.

“Thanks.”

“Careful, it’s hot.”

Scarlett nodded. Peso got himself a cup and took his seat on the sofa just across from them. “If you want I can make a run to the cafeteria and grab you a bite to eat.”

“You are very kind, sir.. What could I call you?”

“Peso.” He shrugged. “Or if you’d really like, mister Ayala Espinoza.”

“I do appreciate all of this.”

“My pleasure!”

He blew on his cup. Scarlett took a sip of theirs. It burnt their tongue. “Do you like plays or anything? If so, what genre?” He leaned forward, grabbing another little box off the glass table.

“I enjoy drama.”

“Alright.”

He pressed a button. The screen in the corner came on. Scarlett stared. “You’ll get to watch whatever on this if I can just get it to work.” He muttered. “My apologies, this room hasn’t been touched in years.”

“Years?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “The place has mostly been redone.”

He chuckled and sat back. “Well, the TV isn’t working. I guess it’s time to relax-”

The door creaked. Nanè came in, followed by an older couple. “Peso.” She said. He got up and nodded. The two headed out while the older couple took their seats.

“Why hello there.” The man cheerily greeted. “My name is Frank Breakall.”

“I’m Pepper.” The woman joined.

Scarlett wore a friendly smile. “I am very pleased to meet you both.”

“You as well.” The two said in union. Pepper leaned forward and pieced her hands together.

“So, you’re here to help us out with the investigation?” She asked somewhat gravely.

“Indeed.”

She nodded. “You would be an.. Elizabeth Hughes, wouldn’t you?” She asked, her voice flooded with uncertainty. She looked Scarlett up and down from head to toe what seemed liked a million times. Her eyes narrowed.

“No, I am Scarlett.”

“You don’t look a day over twenty!”

“Oh, thank you.”

Pepper’s eyes widened. She slammed her hands together. “Well.” She huffed. “That’s very odd, Scarlett. Where did you come from?”

“Bath.” Scarlett, confused, answered simply. Pepper went pale in the face. Her eyes retreated to the floor. “Are you well, madame?”

“I-I’m fine.” She said in a breath. “Don’t worry, dear.”

Scarlett nodded and forced a smile. Frank’s face went as white as salt. He sat back with a straight face, but his hands trembled like mad beside him. “Anyway, we would like to educate you about the chip.” She said as she pulled a clear bag out of her pocket. “It’s our method of time travel. You Victorians may have heard of crazy magical methods, but I assure you there’s none here.”

Scarlett nodded. “It’s all science!” Pepper enthused, a grin wider than the sky crawling across her face.

“That sounds lovely, Mrs.” Scarlett couldn’t help but to smile back. “How does it work?”

“I was just about to tell you!” She continued. “You just pop it into your wrist and you’ll be good to go.”

Scarlett itched to raise a brow. “H-Here.” Frank huffed as he pulled out a clipboard. “We just need you to sign this contract.” He peeled himself off the sofa with a grunt and came over. He handed it to Scarlett, who took it and started to read. “Take all the time you need.” Scarlett smiled and murmured a ‘thanks’. The contract was pretty simple, to say the least.

Frank grabbed a cup of coffee and finished it in the time Scarlett read. Scarlett flipped the last page, only to expose the back of the board. “I am done.” They said, handing it back.

“Do you need more coffee?” He humorously suggested.

“No, thank you.”

He took the clip board and skimmed it. “Thanks for signing.” He said with delight. “Now we just have to inject the chip. Trust me, you won’t feel a thing.”

“Oh you will not have to worry about that.” Scarlett joked. “I will probably fall asleep before you even have time to take it out.”

Meanwhile, Peso and Nanè burst out laughing. “Could you imagine if things were reversed?” She said playfully, elbowing him in the ribs. “You wouldn’t make it a day in my shoes.”

“Wanna bet?” He dared. Nanè giggled.

“No, Peso. I wouldn’t want to see you get hurt.”

Peso smiled. Nanè leaned back against the wall and locked eyes with her own reflection. Her bun pressed into the back of her head. “God.” She muttered, reaching back and pulling her hair down. “I.. er, talked to the higher-ups about this whole Scarlett thing.” He eased a hand onto her shoulder.

“Did it go well?” He asked in a hushed but soft voice.

“Well, they’re sending Kafele over.”

Peso raised his eyebrows. He fluttered his eyes and creased his brow. “And.. you’re being honest?”

“A hundred percent.” She said, her voice lowering into a mumble. Her pupils unfocused.

“Why would they assign Kafele to something like this?”

“You should know never to question Williamson at this point.”

“He’d.. He’d make some sort of announcement?”

“He’ll probably do that when people start to notice.” She dismissed. “Which will be soon and hopefully there won’t be a lot of backlash.”

“I-I..” Peso rubbed the nape of his neck. “When is he supposed to arrive?”

“Any second now.”