Benny swiped at his tablet.

  He groaned audibly before putting the tablet back into his pocket. He tried to keep a neutral expression as he saw who strode up next to him.

  Benny, dark shadows around his eyes, kept his eyes forward. He hadn’t had much time for sleep the last three days. His eyes, watching the activity and reading the reports on his dependents, one in particular, have kept him on edge. All but one of his latest assigned dependents to oversee are yet to arrive on New Earth. The others, already starting their new lives and to Bennys relief, have already been transferred on over to be overseen by different chaplain. Now, with the others no longer weighing on his mind, he had only one dependent left that’s directly under his supervision; the curious Saylee Green. His reports and emails have only increased from her actions as Saylee has seemed to do everything in her power to not keep a low profile. His mind, which was already racing on how he will put a positive spin on his progress report for his boss and now unfortunately, the board of directors.

  Amanda, walked casually beside Benny, matching his pace. She had a nonchalant expression, which was usual for her. Benny could sense that Amanda was trying to hide her anxiety.

  “Hey Benny. Long time no see! I take it that you well aware that your…well, that one of your, you know who-”

  “Yes, Amanda. One of my dependents has committed actions that are cause for some concern. I’m not worried about it. I assure you, Saylee still has enough brownie points to cover that, she’s more than good to proceed to a satisfactory afterlife. Don’t act like the ones you oversee are oh so perfect”

  “Of course my little peons’ aren’t perfect, Benny; but your thief Saylee has sinned already several times, unlike my Josh-”

  “Amanda, please. Really? Peons? I really do hate that word. They aren’t peons, they are people, just like you and me. It wasn’t that long ago that you were in their shoes stepping out of the transport van. Do I need to remind you that they aren’t just some mindless workers-“

  “Yes, Yes, I-“

  “I’m not done. These people are here, a fresh start available. One they didn't know they had before. They are contributing to this plane of opportunity before they continue on to their steps of souls journey”

  Amanda began to mindless bite the edge of her nails, “I know that, but”

  Benny cut her off, “I’m almost done. Just…listen and please understand. Saylee is not just a thief. I saw the video and read the A.I. analysis of the footage, she was building connections. Food brings people together. Plus, it’s a flaw that those employee machines are there at all, for all to easily access. They might as well be free to all. I digress. Yes, Saylee has made minor mistakes but I have a good feeling, a good hunch, that she’ll do better. At least, ideally steal less vending machine from here on out”

  Amanda stared at him for a few moments, waiting to see if he was going to continue.

  After she felt confident he was done speaking, she spoke, “Well, my Josh, or should I say my dependent, Joshua Blarrtone, if you wanna know his full name for reference, hasn’t done anything wrong. Mr. Blarrtone is a prime example of what a good person should be. A good dependent, just like the others I oversee. I really don’t know why they need me at this meeting, he’s done nothing wrong”

  “I imagine it has to do with our performance. It doesn’t matter if those we oversee are doing just good enough. We, as overseers, must do better. We must strive to always do better. afterall, people’s afterlives are at stake and we could be their guide to success. To ensure they have a wonderful place to transition to after their death. That is what I imagine the meeting is about. My guess is that we must’ve become complacent, and that’s unacceptable. We must be there for our dependents. We must do better. Some of us…more than others”

  Amanda glared at him, Benny continued, “Look, I’m not saying I couldn’t do better, but maybe, just maybe. We have gotten too comfortable. Perhaps, some of us in this department haven’t been reaching out and reminding those that we are assigned to, that we offer resources and are always available to answer their needs and concerns. I’m no saying that I’m guilty of this at some level. We work long hours and we oversee a lot of people. It’s tiring. Perhaps, we got too comfortable focing on other tasks or taking long breaks to stay sane.” He took a deep breathe, “I don’t know why you’re here, you’d have a better idea why, but…but I could guess”

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “Yes, yes, yes. I get it. I won’t say peon anymore. Also…I can admit that I’ve been taking it easily lately for my own sanity. They’ve assigned more dependents to each chaplain this semester compared to any previous semesters. What is going on? I heard one of the higher ups gossiping in the hallway was blaming the increased deaths on war and whatever. I toned it out, but I did hear them use the word peon and I was like…huh, It sounds kinda cute? Even though I now know the words meaning isn’t related to the word cute at all, unfortunately. Also, don’t forget we have the same job. I know my shit. Don’t go on about these freshies potential. I’ll let that go because I know you’re not one to usually mansplain things to me. Now, if your following words with me have less of an edge to them. I'll keep my cool... sound good?”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry. I’m sort of here mentally. sort of on autopilot. Again, I’m sorry. It’s been…a lot lately and I’m a little on edge. I can’t lose this job, I recommend we kept the chat to the minimum, it’s be a rough couple of days. Plus, you never know whose listening”

  “I can relate and okay. I just…get a little chatty when I’m nervous”

  “It’s alright”

  They continued walking down the long hallway in silence.

  I just need to get through this meeting then I can go back to my office. Just gotta get through this meeting.

  Amanda and Benny were called to the meeting, as their dependents under their supervision had been part of an recent terrorist attack. They both were nervous, but they both were content on hiding that fact from one another.

  The made it to the conference room door.

  Benny took out his tablet, messages were flooding the screen.

  Amanda looked at her tablet as well, notifications were piling up.

  Amanda sighed and looked over at Benny.

  Benny returned her gaze with a half-hearted smile.

  Amanda gave a half-hearted smile back, “Looks like they really want us to join the meeting. Here we go”. She opened the door.

  Reyna Coldstone stared at the screen cloud in agitation. The other tiny screens in the conference room were looking either impatient or nervous.

  “They’re late” she remarked coldly.

  One of the faces in the conference room talked, she didn’t bother to look to see who spoke. What did they say? It didn’t matter.

  She spoke over them, “I don’t want excuses, get them on now”

  One of the others in the meeting spoke quickly, “Yes Mr. Coldstone”

  Reyna glazed over the screens, dozens of people in business attire. Most were on mute but all were opening taping aggressively on their personal tablets. All were trying to reach out to Dr. Randy Benn and Dr. Amanda Glasis.

  She smirked.

  Let them work with a bit of panic. I can’t let them get too comfortable.

  She sat in her grand office, alone. She was holding back the temptation to lean back in her chair.

  A sound notification caught her attention.

  Someone has joined the meeting.

  The new screen bubble emerged, lighting up to reveal a middle aged man and women.

  They spoke at the same time, “Hello everyone”

  At the bottom right of their bubble, it read Dr. Benn and Dr. Glasis.

  Reyna spoke, “Nice of you two to arrive on time. We appreciate it”

  Benny spoke, “I do apologize Ms-”

  Reyna snapped, “I don’t like apologies Doctor. Get this meeting started before I lose my temper”

  Benny and Amanda were taken aback.

  Amanda spoke, “yes, understood Ms. Coldstone. You…wanted to see us?”

  Reyna rolled her eyes, visibly agitated, “obviously, that’s why you’re here”. Reyna swiped something out of sight of the viewers before returning her eyes back to the camera. “I was told that during the recent terrorist attack that than two individuals, overseen by none other than the two chaplains who are looking stupidly at me right now”. Reyna paused, glaring at Benny and Amanda, who were both flinching back under the scrutiny. “These two, who have no prior vigilante history, had decided to step up and stop what was potentially another deadly terrorist attack. These heroic individuals, a Saylee Green and a Joshua Blarrtone, are exactly what this organization needs. Perhaps, if two baffoons had actually done their jobs and monitored and communicated with those they oversee more often, we may have seen their potential sooner”

  Benny rose a finger, “Mr. Coldstone, I, We-”

  “Shut it. I don’t want excuses. You two sicken me. Whoever is in charge of promotions or whatever, get these two demoted. Get these two out of my sight. You know what? No, I’ll do it”

  Reyna tapped a small x on Bennys and Amanda’s camera, to remove them from the meeting. She returned her attention to the boardroom members in the meeting, “I want someone to assign our new hero’s where they can do something that matters. Bradley!”

  Bradley, who was the board director in charge of Continuation Inc.’s Structure and Responsibilities department, readily spoke up, “I’ll get right on it, Ms. Coldstone”

  “Genna, immediately message me-no, call me, with any updates on terrorist activity. I want to be first to know”

  Genna, the Security Executive Director stammered, “Yes, Ms. Coldstone”

  “Good. Meeting adjourned”

  Reyna closed the meeting. She pushed her chair back before slowly standing up.

  A smirk broke free from of her agitation.