June 2007, Tokyo

[ellectrical]

She'd already moved from the hostel she'd stayed in during her first couple nights in Tokyo. The place she'd chosen now is in the Nakano ward, still about an hour away by train from where her job would ultimately be. This time, it's an upscale hotel – not great because of the cameras in the lobby and elevators and the fact that it requires a whole lot more legitimacy for her to fabricate, but better because once she's in, there's more privacy. At least, more within her control.

Elle and X had returned to the room about forty minutes earlier; Elle writes a short note on the postcard she'd bought at the shrine before joining X to stare out the window at the city below. Bela already had a keycard to the room; Elle had also given her a map, and marked the train routes that could be taken to Chiba City. She still wouldn't risk a cell phone, but for this job, it didn't seem like it'd be necessary.

And so though both X and Elle turn immediately when the door clicks, and opens, neither looks surprised to see Bela in the doorway.

Comments

[ellectrical]

It wouldn't usually be the case, but at the moment, that's what Elle wants to hear.

"Did they show you what the boxes look like?"

Beat. "How you open them?"

[not_lugosi]

"You need an 8-digit code."

Or a little plastique, but she understands that Elle needs to keep this operation subtle.

"Oh, and if you need to access a dead person's box, you need the death certificate."

[ellectrical]

She visibly pauses, but then mutters, "Right."

There's a dim nod, before she looks up again, and tilts her head slightly.

"Can you help me make a death certificate?"

[not_lugosi]

"Well, I don't know about us making it, but give me some time. I'll find an expert to help us."

This is Tokyo, after all. It's a big city with plenty of resources. And, one would presume, the Internet.

While she's out looking, she can slip into a few shops.

"You want me to get on that right away?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"I can help," X offers, taking a step toward Bela.

Whether she means with the legwork or with the forging itself is unclear.

Maybe she means both.

[ellectrical]

"Probably soon," she agrees, dimly.

"I don't want to have to be here very long."

And she doesn't want them to have to be here very long, either, when it comes to it.

"Is there a lot of security?"

[not_lugosi]

"More than I expected. Usually there's only one guard, but I saw two. If they're anything like in the States, though, I'd not be overly worried about them. They also had metal detectors, so weapons will be difficult to bring in."

Difficult, but not impossible.

[cutting_edgex23]

X flicks a look down at her own hands.

It is good she is not going to be inside support on this one.

[ellectrical]

"I won't need them," she decides.

One way or another. She'd like to have a gun, but she's not helpless without one, even if it comes to that.

"They shouldn't have to notice me, anyway."

[not_lugosi]

"Exactly. People like us can slip in and out easily."

No one ever raises an eyebrow at innocent-seeming young women. Bela exploits that bias as much as is humanly possible.

[ellectrical]

"Yeah."

She blinks to X once as she says it, but then back to Bela.

"The transfer you did went through. So it's just..."

She lets it drift off a little. But they all know it's just down to faking a (her father's) death certificate now. Her demeanor is not exactly hurrying, though - Elle's not used to being the one giving orders in a situation like this.

[not_lugosi]

"It's just a matter of an official-looking piece of paper."

And some shopping. She's glad Elle's not in a huge hurry to get things done.

"Okay, I am going to ask the concierge for directions to an Internet cafe, and I'll get started. It shouldn't take me more than an afternoon. Shall we plan on meeting a little later, or-"

She's not sure if Elle needs anything else at the moment.

[ellectrical]

She shakes her head, glancing to X again.

"We can meet when you're ready."

With a one-shouldered shrug, "Whatever time you want."

[not_lugosi]

"How about 7:00?"

Bela checks her watch against the room's bedside clock. That should give her plenty of time.

She pauses a moment, trying to decide whether she wants to change her outfit or not. No, what she has on should be fine, even if she ends up in sketchier neighborhoods.

Then she stands and waggles her fingers to X and Elle. "All right, ladies, I'll see you both later. Don't get into trouble."

[cutting_edgex23]

"You can," X says.

"But it would be better if we did not have to get you out."

It is only the truth.

Especially for Elle.

[ellectrical]

"It would be."

Elle's a little more serious about it, though she lightens up slightly when she adds, "This is supposed to be easy."

[not_lugosi]

"It is," she laughs, and she walks out the door.

This is fun!

Too bad all her jobs can't be like this.

[ellectrical]

Elle, in the meantime, turns back to X, and a gives a half-shrug.



A few hours later, when they're getting sushi, she even uses the chopsticks the right way.