X Element

Table For Two

By all standards Danny was not a romantic person. He knew it, his girlfriend Beth knew it in fact, the whole world knew it. So, when he woke up in the morning and realised it was Friday he jumped to his feet, made a rushed call to Mr. Frin, the dry cleaner that he would be sending his suit in and proceeded to work with a slightly more cheerful attitude than usual. Beth was taking him out today as her way of apologising for her Uncle's actions. To Danny, there was no need for it at all, she couldn't change the way Dynamites Jackson saw him. But he none the less indulged her to try.

He walked into Acrix industries headquaters and every bit of the cheerful disposition was drained like a sponge on a table top stain. People looked at him from the corner of their eyes like they all knew something that he didn't. He began to fear the worst, what had got out, what had happened while he was gone.

At his office, his asssitant Carol slapped a file on his desk.

"Five more people turned in their resignation in the last week", she said almost sounding disappointed. There was that look in her eyes too.

"What's with everyone today looking at me like a lost puppy".

"There's been word, going around, you know the harmless kind".

"What do these words say exactly?".

"That you're ruining the company" Carol said, never one for sugar coating. "That your policy of giving benefits to those who resign is encouraging people to cut and run. Short staffing us and bankrupting us at the same time".

'With all the illegal money we're making I don't see how we can be bankrupt', Danny thought to himself and said. "That's unfortunate".

Carol remained there, hand on her hip like she was expecting more.

"What?, its not someone's birthday is it? Did I forget someone's birthday?. Oh!, oh my God, did I forget your's?".

"Why did you do it? Why did you make that policy."

Danny took a moment. Then got up to stand by the floor-to-celing windows that let an outstanding view of Dawn city. "When I stared this back in the day, nobody believed in it. The idea of making money of research like ours. I couldn't get worker's to read half of my ads. Nobody wanted to work for a company that could told up at any moment and leave them desperate. So, I came up with this. Work for me for a year and if you quit, you'll get the severance package. People didn't believe it. But that way I earned their trust. Some cut and run as you said, but the ones that didn't, I knew I could trust them as well".

"I never knew that".

"Most people don't".

"Well, I hope you can convince the board, your quarterly meeting is next week". She walked out.

"No, their right." Danny said to himself, "Maybe its time to put an end to it after all". Still, Danny knew that wasn't the only reason people were quitting. In fact he believed canceing the arrangement would do little to help. Dynamite Jackson had said people were getting scared. That some things were going wrong. It made him uneasy. He told himself they were jet rumours.

The rest of the day was boring paper signing and conference calls with investors and clients. Some he wished he could use his power on. It was only a pity that his powers could only affect people through a certain range. He called Vincent, but there was no answer. "Busy", he told himself "Probably busy". Then he pocked up Pandora's box. The briefcase left to them by Linday during their very first encounter. He though about opening it but ultimately decide against it.

By evening, Danny was dressed and ready to pick up Beth for their date.

He drove his Hecta engined Nitrogen powered Miradas. A car he was very proud of and only brought on special occasions. It held deep memories.

When he picked her up from her family home, she was wearing a green sliky dress with one of those new micro materials that made fabrics reflect light in wonderful ways.

The sight of Beth froze his breath for a moment, as it always did when they were apart for an extended time. It wasn't her looks. Beauty was objective as Danny believed. After all, everyone told him his mother was gorgeous and she had been all too happy to leave him. It wasn't even her looks that made Danny approach her back in college. That was a guy down on his luck throwing up the middle finger to a world that kicked him in the nuts so many times. And it lead to this.

Danny took a moment before he could speak, "Hi", he managed a smile. It was her presence that always made Danny freeze, the sight of her that suddenly reminded him of the best thing to ever happen to him. That it was possible for things to go right for a hopeless person like him.

She smiled back and hugged him. Then kissed him. "You look tired, what the hell?"

"Yeah I had a long week". 'A really long week', he thought.

"Well, that's why I'm here", she spread her arms. "Now, let's get this show on the road".

The restaurant was beautiful. 'Beth sure knows how to pick a spot.'

The place was either French in origin or Spanish. Danny wasn't sure. What he knew was that Beth must've gone all out to secure a reservation and he'd be damned if he allowed anyrhing to go wrong. They were chatting, laughing exchanging workplace stories and trying to make each other laugh the hardest.

"So, I tell this client that he can't reasonably sue inanimate objects, but I swear he is not convinced. He starts going on about rights of objectopheliacs and all that and....not that I'm against it or anything, but, I try to tell him 'Mr. Ferber, you can't sue a toaster for infidelity, because a toaster can't defend itself in court".

"Sounds reasonable enough"

"You try telling him that!", she laughed. "And get this, he threatened to sue me...his lawyer!".

"Hey hey hey, don't be so jolly. I think I heard about a washing machine uptown that's been making waves in the legal scene". They both laughed some more.

"Look, Danny, about UncleJackson-"

Danny stopped her by putting a finger to her lips. "Hush hush, we're here to have a good time. No need to apologize".

"I was gonna apologize, but that's not all".

"No?".

"He told me he's quitting soon".

Danny tried to look surprised or shocked or sad or any emotion at all that wasn't pure relief. He put on his best downcast face. "That's too bad. Any ideas on how I can convince him to stay".

"You're a bad liar....to me at least". Danny felt a pang of guilt, "He tells me there's been stuff going on. Shady stuff that you know about but won't do anything about".

Danny sighed. "Guess the stuff about a good time's going out the window".

"If you're in trouble, tell me".

It took effort to meet her gaze. The past three days flashed back to him. 'There's no way I'm bringing Beth into this madness'.

"It's just some company policy that the board thinks is making it too easy for people to quit. I'll get rid of it to keep the peace."

"That's not all".

Danny took a drink, "Also, lately I've been finding my married secretary extremely attractive of late"

Beth reached across the table and punched him in the shoulder. He chuckled. "Don't even think about it mister. There's something else too. Is it true that people are qutting because they're afraid of dying?".

"Rumours, rumours. You know how it is. The competition blowing smoke".

"Its more than that. Something like this could have lasting effects on your company's image".

"It's not my company. There's a board, there's voting, a whole circus."

"Well, its yourresponsibility, stop hiding. Have you heard from your parents."

"Oh come on, Beth. What happened to just having a good time".

"Daniel Essen".

"Ouch".

"This talk is necessary". She placed her hand over his. "Avoiding things don't always make them go away".

Her phone rang. 'Phew, thank goodness. That was getting intense'

"Sorry Dan, were not done though". She picked the call. When she was done, Danny said

"You have to go don't you?. Toaster guy finally gonna sue?".

"Not really, something a bit more serious. I can't talk about it though".

"It's okay, you can go".

"Hell no. I planned this, I'm sure as hell not gonna ruin it".

"Hey its cool. We'll have this some other time."

"I adore you". She reached across the table and kissed him deeply. "I'm sooo sorry about this Danny. We'll not done though. I love you".

"Love you too". She left. Danny sat alone and pretended to admire the ceilings.