18 The Gatekeeper Offices (1/2)

\”Isn't this B&B law firm\” Mao Lu looked up at the building, \”This is my Gatekeeper Offices?\”

\”The Gatekeeper offices appear in suitable locations near the Gatekeeper. This was the nearest suitable location to you. On the exterior it is a law firm but it has now merged with your offices. I'm sure you've already met the intermediary between the law firm and your offices. He was the one that gave you your inheritance.\” Gates explained.

\”You mean Mr. Baker!\” Mao Lu exclaimed.

\”Yes I mean Mr. Baker. He has been the chief manager for realm 145's Gatekeeper Offices for the last 400,000 years. He is an exemplary worker. But you must remember, a worker for the Gatekeeper Offices is not a Gatekeeper, they are not privy to your knowledge and are of a lower status than you. You are their boss.\”

Mao Lu didn't have a chance to respond to those words before he was being pushed by Gates. Unable to stop himself he was propelled right through the big revolving black glass door. He stumbled into the large lobby.

He straightened himself immediately but the moment he entered he received hard stares from the clients waiting in their fancy seats, those eating in the cafe, and from the two receptionists.

Mao Lu wasn't an idiot, he knew what those types of stares were, he himself had once been a member of HIgh Society. When he was in high school he'd see his peers give the same judging stares to the scholarship students. When he lost everything his peers began giving him the same looks. Everytime he'd walk near high end stores he would also get the same types of stares.

They were looking down on him. Their faces screaming, \”Who is he, why is he dressed like that, and is he at the wrong place?\”

These people all judged books by their covers, in their own arrogance and narcissism they saw what he wore and they decided then and there that he didn't have any money and therefore couldn't associate with them

These were what Mao Lu called \”Toxic People\”, when he lost everything he was able to see who his real friends were, and he promised himself that no matter what happened in the future he would never kiss up or socialise with toxic people that assumed they were better than others based on senseless things like momentary wealth.

Mao Lu wasn't going to be embarrassed by their blatant stares. Instead he pretended not to see it.

As he walked up to the desk he saw a hint of disgust pass one of the receptionists faces.

\”Why did this man come in here? Is he lost? Why is he wearing an old and stained convenience store uniform, and why is his hair all windswept like that. Yuck. Where does he think he is? Should I call security?\” Thought the receptionist/desk assistant.

She turned to her superior who was reading some documents. \”Hey Mrs Li should I call security? A weird man just walked into the building.\”

After escorting Mao Lu to Mr.Baker's last time, Li An had even got a bonus from her direct superior a few moments after. She definitely felt like that was no coincidence. This man had to have some form of influence or power.

Li An went and bowed lowly towards Mao Lu. \”It is great to see you again Sir, what can I help you with today?\”

Her junior desk assistant behind her gaped slightly but then she immediately copied, also bowing. It seemed this strange individual was someone important.

\”Ask for Baker\” Gates ordered.

\”I'm here for Mr. Baker again, he should be expecting me.\” Mao Lu smiled slightly.

\”Of course Sir, let me just confirm with him.\” She went to the phone on her desk, a few moments later she came back and said, \”Follow me Sir.\”

Mao Lu found himself following Li An down the same twisting gorgeous corridors as last time. The gorgeous black marble floors and shiny black glass across the walls. Soon they were in the wide fancy elevator.

When it got to the 25th floor, the top floor, Li An bowed again to Mao Lu as he stepped out of the elevator.

Mr.Baker's office looked the same as before, it was very sleek. There were the randomly placed bamboo roots and rocks ordered in some typical Feng Shui. On one wall there was the mini waterfall and on the opposite wall there was the huge fish tank filled with a whole school of clown fish.

\”I'm glad I'm seeing you again so soon Gatekeeper Lu.\” A strong voice came from behind Mao Lu. He twisted his head and saw Mr.Baker bowing deeply towards him.

\”You don't have to do that.\”

\”But it is only right that I do so. I have shown respect to the previous two Gatekeepers that I've served these last 400,000 years, I will show respect to you as well.\”

Mao Lu couldn't really argue when he said it in such a stubborn way, but that didn't stop Mao Lu feeling weird about it. Only yesterday had he met Mr. Baker, and the contrast between the Mr.Baker of yesterday and the current Mr.Baker was too shocking.

\”If I hadn't become a Gatekeeper there's no way he would treat me this respectfully.\” Mao Lu wasn't sure whether he liked this change in attitude. In Mao Lu's mind you should treat everyone the same regardless of status, that was just common courtesy. Mr.Baker bowing to him like this just made Mao Lu's initial good impression of him decrease.

\”Really you can stop bowing now. I didn't come here for respect I came here so I could find out about the Gatekeeper Offices.\” Mao Lu said rather irritably.

Hearing this Mr.Baker stood up, reminding Mao Lu how tall this giant of a man was. Mao Lu was 6ft 2 yet he was immediately dwarfed. \”Of course, follow me please.\”

Mr. Baker walked towards the elevator. Even though he walked slowly, due to his extremely long legs, Mao Lu found himself running after him. When they were inside Mr.Baker pressed the buttons for floor number 14 and floor number 5. Then after pressing them he pressed the red emergency button.

Mao Lu raised an eyebrow in surprise as the elevator doors closed and then opened again. It hadn't felt like they'd moved even slightly but when the doors opened the scenery had drastically changed.

In front of Mao Lu was a rather chaotic office. It was wider than a stadium. To Mao Lu it looked like this Office stretched for several kilometres and inside of it people of different shape, size, race and some who didn't even look human at all were running around the place. There was the sound of phones ringing like crazy, there were papers flying all about. Strange looking magical items were floating zooming and zipping about in the air. And every ten metres there was a desk with someone tapping away on what looked similar to a computer.

Mr. Baker's face frowned deeply, making his long face appear even longer. He didn't seem happy. Yet after Mr.Baker glared at the chaotic office for a minute, it seemed everyone was in too much of a rush to notice him.

Mr. Baker's large bushy brows twitched. He bowed to Mao Lu in apology, \”I'm sorry it is not always like this.\” Mr. Baker immediately stood up straight, held up his large hands, and clapped.

The sound of his two hands coming together was like miniature bomb going off, the shockwave rippled across the room. As it did the previous busyness descended into an eerie quiet. Many eyes focused on the front of the office, staring not just at Mr.Baker but also at Mao Lu himself. As they saw him, Mao Lu noticed that they all collectively quivered.

\”What is the rush, why is everyone so disorganised, why is the Office in such a state!?\” Mr. Baker yelled, veins could be seen popping from his neck. \”Do you not find this humiliating when the Gatekeeper has come by?\” Mr.Baker gestured towards Mao Lu.

As soon as he was introduced as the Gatekeeper all the workers got down on their knees and bowed.

\”Station Manager!\” Mr.Baker yelled.

\”Yes Sir!\” A human-sized ferret looking creature came out. It wore office clothes, a white shirt and black pants. It seemed very nervous as it walked towards them, but who could blame it from the menacing way Mr.Baker's green eyes was glaring at it.