The Agency (2026)

Chapter 5: The Agreement

Just like yesterday, Maurice is quiet. The partition is down so I try to strike up a conversation.

“Maurice, how long until we get there?”

“About twenty minutes, depending on traffic.”

“How long have you worked for Minerva?”

“A long time.”

Maurice is obviously not one for long conversations. I spend the rest of the ride either staring out the window or staring at my phone. I’m a little nervous as I have no idea what job I’m applying for or if I will need to pay Minerva back for my light bill, daycare bill, groceries, and clothing. I don’t do handouts and I’m old enough to know that there are no free lunches.

We speed through the streets until we reach the upscale side of town. We are in the business district. Maurice takes a couple of turns off the main street and we eventually end up in the parking lot of an unremarkable office building. Maurice pulls the limo to a stop in front of the building and gets out. He opens the door and I get out. He motions for me to enter the building. “You’re not going with me?” I ask.

“You’ll be fine. Just go in and tell the receptionist that you have an appointment with Ms. Crane.”

He gets back in the car and drives off.

***

I enter through the revolving glass door. The lobby is pretty upscale. There isn’t a lot of seating but there is a fireplace and some cozy black upholstered chairs tucked away in one of the corners. The one thing I don’t see is security–which I find kind of odd. No metal detectors. I don’t even see security cameras. I’m sure there are some hidden ones.

I see a bank of elevators and a desk in the middle. A red-headed woman sits behind the desk. She looks to be about 20 with green eyes. I can’t tell her height because she is seated. She greets me, “Hello, how can I help you?”

“I have a meeting with Minerva Crane at 9:30 a.m.” I say.

“Her office is on the top floor. Take the elevator to the 6th floor. You can’t miss it.”

I do as I am told and head towards the elevator. As if on cue, it opens for me. I push the button for the sixth floor and smooth out my jumpsuit and mindlessly fluff my hair. The elevator stops on the fifth floor but no one enters and I continue my ascent.

***

When the elevator reaches the sixth floor, I step out and my jaw drops. This place makes the upscale lobby look basic. The only word to describe it would be opulent. The view is breathtaking—though we are only 6 floors up. From here I can see that the building has a courtyard and pond. Obviously, it’s man-made as we are pretty landlocked here but it definitely makes you forget that we are in the business district.

“You must be Jasmine?” a familiar raspy voice asks. I turn and head in the direction of the voice. It belongs to a woman behind the desk or at least, I think that she is behind the desk because I really can’t see her. As I get closer, she stands. She is short and was hiding behind her computer monitor. Her hair is completely gray–but a shade that looks well-maintained, purposely gray. Her face is round and she has a plump figure. She is dressed in a black dress that accentuates her curves. She is wearing a floating pearl necklace. On her middle finger is a gold ring with a skull. The ring seems out of place–raspy voice seems very traditional and plain Jane.

“Hello, I recognize your voice from last night.”

“Yes, it is great to meet you, Jasmine.” I notice that she is not offering up her name. “Minerva has not arrived yet, but she left something for you to review. You can sit here in the lobby and wait for her.” She hands me a clipboard with a few documents. “Would you like something to drink?” she asks. “We have coffee, tea, matcha, wine–red and white, water. Though if none of that is to your liking, I can order something for you.”

“Oh, no ma’am, I’m fine.” I say, as I take the clipboard and settle into the one chair that faces her desk. There’s a glossy brochure on top that mentions employee benefits–free childcare, PTO, employee assistance program, health and life insurance, even access to a company car. No mention of a website here either which I find extremely odd. Who’s not online these days? I glance up at the desk. Raspy voice has disappeared behind her monitor. I glance at my phone. It’s almost 10am. I shuffle through the papers and the last document grabs my attention.

***

THE AGENCY

Employment & Placement Agreement

This Employment & Placement Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into between The Agency (“Agency”) and the undersigned individual (“Associate”).

1. Appointment

The Associate accepts appointment with the Agency and agrees to perform such duties, assignments, placements, and related services as may be designated from time to time.

The nature, location, duration, and scope of any assignment shall be determined by the Agency according to operational need and client requirements.

2. Term

This Agreement shall become effective upon acceptance by the Associate.

The term of service shall continue until the Associate has satisfactorily completed all obligations associated with their appointment, as determined by the Agency.

Completion of an individual assignment does not necessarily constitute completion of service.

3. Assignment

The Associate acknowledges that assignments may vary in nature and may require duties not specifically discussed or anticipated at the time of appointment.

Assignment information will be provided on a need-to-know basis.

The Agency makes no guarantee regarding assignment duration, frequency, location, conditions, or outcome.

4. Reassignment

When circumstances require, the Agency may modify, suspend, extend, transfer, or reassign an Associate without prior notice.

Associates are expected to remain available until formally released.

5. Compensation

Compensation shall be provided according to the terms applicable to the Associate’s placement and may include monetary and non-monetary consideration, benefits, accommodations, or other forms of remuneration deemed appropriate by the Agency.

All compensation is subject to applicable Agency policies.

6. Confidentiality

The Associate shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding Agency operations, personnel, clients, assignments, facilities, methods, records, and information obtained during the course of service.

Certain information may remain confidential following completion of an assignment or termination of this Agreement.

7. Client Matters

Associates shall not independently interfere with, alter, prevent, or otherwise affect matters concerning an Agency client except as specifically authorized within the scope of an assignment.

The Agency assumes no responsibility for consequences resulting from unauthorized intervention.

8. Records

The Agency may maintain records concerning the Associate and their assignments for administrative, operational, archival, and other legitimate Agency purposes.

Agency records shall be considered controlling in the event of a discrepancy regarding assignment status, completion, or eligibility.

9. Voluntary Acceptance

By signing below, the Associate confirms that they have entered into this Agreement voluntarily and have been given the opportunity to ask questions regarding its terms.

Failure to request clarification shall not invalidate the Agreement.

10. Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with applicable Agency policies, procedures, assignment instructions, amendments, and supplemental materials, constitutes the terms governing the Associate’s service.

Policies and procedures may be amended when necessary without execution of a new Agreement.

11. Binding Effect

The Associate acknowledges that acceptance of appointment creates obligations that may survive reassignment, separation, expiration, incapacity, or other changes in the Associate’s circumstances.

Such obligations remain in effect until formally discharged by the Agency.

12. Final Determination

Questions concerning interpretation, fulfillment, completion, release, or applicability of this Agreement shall be determined by the Agency.

The Agency’s determination shall be final.

Associate: ___________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________

Date: _______________________________________

Agency Representative: ________________________

Assignment Status: PENDING

***

There sure are a lot of words here to not tell me what the actual job entails. Is Minerva the CIA? Did she recruit me to be a spy? That would make sense. Ms. Wilkins has always been paranoid about the government watching us without our knowledge. “Big brother be watching,” she always says.

***

I hear the elevator ding at 10:30. Minerva walks into the lobby followed by Maurice. She greets me, “Jasmine, so lovely to see you again. Walk with me to my office.”