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

[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.