Vonda McIntyre - Steelcollar Worker

"Do you mean it?" Neko said. "That's such a relief! You won't be mad? Did they know I-- ? I can't quit, Jannine, I'm awfully sorry. I can't afford it, I need this job..."

Jannine felt betrayed. That made no sense. She didn't want Neko to quit. Hell, she didn't want to quit, herself. She would've felt awful, she would've felt guilty, if Neko had tried to leave with her, and she would've tried to talk her out of going. No: she would have talked her out of going, no matter what she had to tell her. No matter how much she had to tell her.

The lights blinked: end of break. Everyone had to get back to work. The temp would be in Jannine's couch.

"It doesn't matter," Jannine said. "I have to leave."

"I'll walk you to the door."

"Why?" No one was supposed to leave the floor during work hours. "You'll be late. You'll lose points."

"I don't care!"

At the checkout, the barrier gave Jannine her I.D. It refused to hand over Neko's. Neko hesitated.

She could come through the barrier. But she'd have a hard time getting back to the floor: security, explanations, maybe even counseling. A lot of lost points.

"It doesn't matter," Jannine said, disappointed despite herself. "Stay here."

"Well... OK, if you're sure..."

Jannine went through the barrier. It closed again behind her.

"We'll get together," Neko said. "For a drink. Sometime. OK?"

Without turning back, Jannine raised her hand in a final wave.

The exit opened. She walked out onto the rain-wet street, into the darkness.

Published by Alexandria Digital Literature. ( http://www.alexlit.com/)

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