Chapter 3: Horace
1046 Words
Chapter 3: Horace
“So, I needed to come clean with you immediately, in case you got an email about unauthorised logins to devices or anything,” Horace said, waving his arms around.
“It’s okay,” Evie shrugged, hugging her legs on the bed. She was in her floral pyjamas and looked unkempt, but Horace still thought she looked pretty. She was a very cute black girl, the only one he ever knew, really, with a round face and lots of curly hair in browns and golden hues. “I know you didn’t do anything else. Though I should change my password at some point, I think I’ve used it elsewhere too.”
“You really should.”
Her apartment was small, made for a single person to live in. One room, some separation from the kitchenette/table/entry hall and a tiny bathroom with a shower. The laundry machine was the dominant piece in said bathroom, and Horace had to bend sideways every time needed to pee.
Horace’s eye went for the illustrations she had printed out. They were fantasy ladies, clad in armour, wielding weapons or staffs that glowed with energy, riding dragons or standing at the top of a pile of fallen skeletons. He found it funny that he had converted her to the dark side. Couple of years ago Evie would consider all this stupid, and would say so out loud and at every opportunity. But when he finally found the perfect game for her she dove in and absolutely loved it. It was a fantasy game where she played a powerful queen, slaying enemies, gathering up more magical power, dressing up in fabulous gear with exquisite detail.
It was the first epic drop she got from the game that she printed out, and it hung there on the wall. There were many more after that, in a progression typical of all role-playing-games on the computer. Bigger, bulkier, shinier, you could see with a single turn of your gaze her character’s progression in the game from a lowly princess to a powerful queen and finally an awe-inspiring empress.
Horace hadn’t seen the latest printouts, they must have been new. After all, he had no time to play online with her and she had.
She must have noticed him looking around and she became self-conscious. “Um, sorry for the mess,” she said, her throat dry.
“Puh-lease. I’m a bachelor. This is way better than mine. Anyway, here’s the letter.”
His friend accepted it, sniffing as she read. Her eyes widened. “Wow! How did you manage that?”
Horace shrugged. “I blackmailed him.”
“Hooo- what now?” she glared. “Damn, shoulda been there to see that. Nice work, Horace!” She punched him on the shoulder.
“Nah, why would you ever wanna walk back to that depressing place? I hope it helps a bit.”
“It will, Horace. Thanks,” Evie said sincerely. “Not that I’m not happy about it, but this whole thing, standing up for yourself, it’s very uncharacteristic of you.” She waved towards him, then quickly added, “Not that I’m complaining.”
Horace rubbed his neck. “Yeah, it was weird, actually. There was this strange woman at the office which I’ve never met before, um… Superbia. Weird name, I know. And she kinda prodded me to stand up for myself. And I did. And then I went for a coffee to calm down ‘cause my heart was pounding and I couldn’t believe what I’d done myself, and there she was again.”
“Wait,” Evie interrupted with a palm up, “she stalked you? How far?”
“Eh… Not that far, it wasn’t the cafe down the corner ‘cause I didn’t wanna stumble on anyone from work. So I walked a couple of blocks, at least, then just sat down at the first cafe I saw. It was definitely not within ‘grabbing a cup and going back to work’ range, but not by far.”
“And what did she say?” Evie asked, seeming interested. “And was she hot?” she raised an eyebrow.
He chuckled nervously. “Yeah, she was hot. She said the weirdest things. She had me download an app, then gave me an AR token with the word pride written on it in Greek, then she went on and on about some deal and success and danger. I had enough of her at that point and told her she was nuts and stormed off.”
Evie chuckled. “Ballsy. I’d never imagine you doing what you described.”
“I’m telling the truth, Evie.”
“I believe you. That’s why I’m saying I’d never expect this from you. It’s cool.” She stood up. “Want some orange juice?”
“Sure.”
She brought orange juice and it was nice and cool. It had been a warm day and Horace was after all chugging his box along in the heat of the metro. Evie lived in the centre, at Pangrati. It was close enough to make commute bearable wherever she might find work. Horace, on the other hand, had to endure at least an hour of commute-time and two or three mass transit swaps to get anywhere.
Oh, well.
She had a small fan blowing a bit of air from the window. It barely did anything and it had seen better days.
“Is it too hot? Want me to put on the air conditioner? I’m saving up but with you here I can spare it.”
“No, I’m heading home anyway. This is chilly enough, thanks. Got any interviews lined up?”
A sore subject. She looked away, pulling her legs close to her body. “No… I have one next week. I went and applied for unemployment benefits yesterday, when that clears I’ll be fine for a while. Well, for a couple of months if I stretch out expenses.”
“It’s okay, something will come up.” He hesitated, then repeated his invitation. “You know you can always crash with me if things get tight, right?”
She gave him a tight smile and nodded.
“Anyway, Evie, I’m off. Just wanted to come over and see what you’re doing, and to give you the letter of recommendation. Good luck with the job hunting! To the both of us.”
She greeted him off at the door, nodding away and folding her arms to her chest.
Horace left, but he kept thinking about his friend. She looked vulnerable, and the male part of his brain wanted to protect her and take care of her. But who was he kidding? He was in no position to take care of anyone, not even himself.
He took the long commute north, back towards home.
- Writer
