Chapter 65 (2/2)
“Those that were picked,” The man announced, “Follow this woman. The rest of you, come collect your pay.”
The woman took them back, and introduce herself as Cassie. “This needlework requires a bit more finesse, but the pay is better. If you are interested, I want you to try learning this stitching method.”
Randidly mastered it the quickest, within about 15 minutes, and after an hour of impeccable work using that method, Cassie was shocked that he had been an amateur. The 2nd gossiping woman, her competitive spirit rising, sewed furiously, attempting to keep up.
After another hour, they asked if anyone needed a break. Randidly continued to stitch, heedless, working on an elaborate hoop skirt. The gossipy woman, her eyes bloodshot, looked at him, helpless. Then she bit her tongue and shook her head, returning to the sewing.
Another hour passed, Randidly humming softly to himself. Truly, it was a good thing to relax the body. Over training only strained the body; having hobbies was very important to your mental and physical health.
The woman’s chest heaved, her eyes bulging. But still she kept herself razor focused, never wavering with her needlework.
By this time, Cassie returned, and asked them both if they would like to stay on for another 4 hours, doing embroidery. She cautioned them that if they started, they would need to finish, or they wouldn’t get paid.
Randidly simply nodded, standing and following after her. His Sewing skill had reached 9 anyway, it didn’t seem like grinding like this would have any more effect. The gossiping woman collapsed.
****
Alana looked curiously at Devan. “You don’t want to escape?”
He simply shrugged,and the rest of them seemed similarly relaxed. Even Clarissa had frozen and shattered her handcuffs after the guards locked them in the room, pulling a pallet out of her spatial ring and taking a nap.
“It is not that I don’t want to escape, but… I want to efficiently accomplish our objective. Their leader is paranoid and stressed beyond what he can handle. He’s worried about everyone taking his power, and thinks guns are his only salvation. I have no doubt that such a desperate, worried man will want a display of power. So we wait, and try to recruit there.”
Blinking, Alana asked. “...display of power…? What do you mean?”
“He means,” One of the squad members interjected, “That the idiot might publicly torture us or some shit, maybe execute us. And he will bring a big crowd together to do it. Better to let them do the gathering, and then cash in on it.”
Clarissa rolled over on her pallet, snoring loudly.
****
“Thank you so much for the work,” Cassie said, handing Randidly several tokens. He looked at them rather nonplussed. He supposed they were for food, but its not like he needed it, with his satchel space full of it…
“Uh, thank you, it was… enlightening.” Randidly said, and meaning it. His Sewing had reached 11 by the end of the night. Cassie was more than willing to teach such a studious pupil more and more complicated needlework, which had hastened the rise of his skill level.
“No, thank you. If you hadn’t shown up, I would have probably needed to work alone by myself for the rest of the day.” She said beaming. Then she had a sudden thought. “Oh, actually, take these too.”
She offered two slips of paper. Randidly took them, uncomprehendingly.
“Don’t look so confused,” Cassie said, laughing. “You must have noticed the costumes were for- oh god, you really didn’t, haha. It’s for the concert tonight! Those are backstage passes; feel free to come and visit. It’s supposed to be a good show.”
Cassie waved as he left, and Randidly wandered away bemused. A concert, huh….
He supposed live music was a fine way to relax. But for now….he walked briskly back to a job cryer, looking for something to do until the time he had to meet Tessa.
Hopefully there would be more knowledgeable people at this new job.