It was my last night on the job, but I had the nagging feeling that I would never truly escape this world of crime. This messed up, cruel, villainous underworld. They had my name. They had my information. They had my weaknesses on record. They could, at any point, find me. They could, theoretically, ruin my life forever. I wasn’t going to just let that happen. But I had to go into the office one last time. I had to complete the robbery.
The director of operations, Sandra Fang, glanced me up and down as I wearily entered the building. It was as if she knew I would arrive this early. She checked something off her clipboard. I went to say something to her, but she pulled up a mask and turned the corner to the dark and oppressive hallway. What was she plotting? For what reason would she need a mask unless she wanted to conceal her identity? I forced my feet to start moving towards the hallway. I needed to ensure that she would be gone for long enough so I could complete my scheme without her intervention.
“Mr. Gilbert, Ms. Fang will see you at 7:30.”
I turned my head slowly to lock eyes with the director’s secretary. My position was compromised! The woman informed me of my appointment with the director. What could she want with me? Information? I gave the secretary a faint nod before mustering up the courage to venture into the hallway. My legs carried me halfway through the corridor before I noticed the vault. The container of treasures in which I needed to indulge. I made a mental note of its location before entering Ms. Fang’s base of operations.
“Good morning John. It’s been a while. Would you please have a seat?”
Hesitant, I sat down. I’d left the door open slightly in case I needed to make a run for it. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my thumb. She was draining my blood! I knew it, they were planning on tracking me with my DNA! I sprinted for the door, knocking Ms. Fang off her feet. Without missing a beat, I ran down the hallway to where I’d seen the vault. Opening it, I came face to face with the greatest treasure. The reason I kept coming back to this wretched place, kept turning to this life of crime.
“Sir, this is for children,” the secretary said, as I tasted the sweet delicacy of the first lollipop.
“Oh, come on, Grace! I come here every few months for these stupid check-ups, can’t you at least humor me and let me have one of them?”
Grace sighed. She looked at me with an expression that showed a mixture of amusement and frustration. “I don’t know Mr. Gilbert, the lollipops are really intended for children who need a reward for completing their appointment.”
“Give the man the lollipops,” Ms. Fang laughed, suddenly emerging from her office, “it’s the least we could do. The man is not a fan of going to the doctor.”
I gave her a nervous smile before running out the door. I’d done it. Those lollipops were mine.
Mission Complete.