“You know even if your slice worked, there are still the traffic cameras and drones,” Henri pointed out as Zoe took off her backpack and sat it on the floor beside the chair Henri offered her. She sat.

“Yeah. I had already sliced the camera network and wrote a command so the drones and cameras couldn’t identify me,” Zoe replied. Chloe sat up straighter.

“It worked?” she asked.

“Yeah. It was quick and sloppy code, and I’m sure they’ll discover what I did and patch the vulnerability soon enough,” Zoe replied. She wasn’t keen on sharing her tricks even if she had blurted out what she had done.

“Too bad,” Cee replied. “That is the sort of thing I would pay for.”

“So would the rest of us,” Henri added. If that is true, Zoe thought it might be worth looking into and coming up with a better slice. “Anyway, let’s get this interview over with.”

“Right. So, Zoe, what is your goal as a courier?” Cee asked mock seriously. The grin on her face showed Zoe she wasn’t serious. She glanced at Henri. He wore a serious expression.

“Well?” Henri asked.

“Oh. You’re serious?” Zoe asked.

“Indeed,” Henri replied.

“In that case, I suppose my goal is the same as what I imagine most anyone else’s is, which is to make as much money as possible to live in this city in relative comfort.

“And ride your new toy as much as possible,” Cee added.

“That too,” Zoe agreed with a smile on her face.

“Is keeping your freedom and working when you want part of your goals?” Henri asked.

“Yes,” Zoe agreed after a moment. “Being as close to being my own boss is something I would very much like.” Zoe had another thought and voiced it. “Is that why you two do this?”

“Yes,” Cee answered after sharing a look with Henri. “Henri started Cartier Transport after working as a courier himself for a few years.

“Working as a courier paid well after a few years,” Henri said. “Vincent said you had taken a job from him and a friend of his. How much have they paid you?”

“Mr Capone paid me 100 credits for the two deliveries I made for him. I only get half of that though. Mr Manna only paid me 25 credits plus contact with you,” Zoe answered. She saw no reason to withhold the truth. Henri and Chloe exchanged another glance. Zoe thought they might also be exchanging messages.

“Why is the mob boss taking half your pay?” Henri asked.

“You know of him?” Zoe asked. Henri nodded his head. “I borrowed money from him.”

“That is how you were able to afford your GT4,” Cee stated.

Zoe nodded. “And my frame.”

“Explain,” Henri said. Zoe told them about her upbringing. “Ah.”

“At least you’re in a better place… mostly,” Cee said.

“Being in debt to the mob is not something to be taken lightly,” Henri added.

“I’m aware of that. I’m hoping to make enough working as a courier and picking up odd jobs to pay them back.”

“That should work if you can get more jobs other than those provided by the mob,” Henri said smiling at Zoe.

“That’s true,” Zoe conceded.

“So, where do you see yourself in 20 years?” Henri asked.

“What is this? Are you using all those cliché interview questions?” Zoe asked.

“Maybe,” the man replied grinning as Chloe burst into laughter. Henri started laughing.

“Gah!” Zoe exclaimed, which made the French couple laugh even harder. “You two are impossible!”

“You’re right. We’ve teased you enough,” Henri said.

“There can never be enough teasing,” Cee replied.

“Unless it’s happening to you,” Zoe countered.

“Touché,” Cee said.

They talked for a while longer. Zoe felt the two just wanted to get to know her a little bit. Couriers came and went while they talked. Introductions were made and Zoe used Note to label their names so she wouldn’t forget them. She thought Chloe and Henri were good people. They seemed kind and caring at least for those they considered their own. The three of them talked for about an hour and even discussed hobbies. Henri practiced karate while Cee was a runner.

“You bought that backpack to carry your running gear more than to carry the odd letter or package, didn’t you?” Chloe asked.

“Guilty,” Zoe admitted.

“I can’t afford to pay a newbie 100 credits a job,” Henri said changing the subject.

“I didn’t expect to be paid that much,” Zoe replied.

“How much were you thinking?” Chloe asked.

“Between 25-50 credits per job,” Zoe answered.

“That’s the normal rates,” Henri replied.

“That’s what my research showed and what I’ve been told. Is there really a huge need for couriers in the city?” Zoe asked. That thought had been in her head for some time.

“Surprisingly yes,” Henri answered.

“It’s not just corporations that use us,” Cee added. “Property managers, attorneys, doctors, the courts, the rich, and the gangs all love using us.

“Especially the attorneys,” Henri added. “And there are a lot of them in this city of 25 million people.”

“I don’t think I want to know how many attorneys there are in the city,” Zoe said. “The gangs?”

“Yeah. They try to get us to run their neuro stims or other ill-gotten gains at times,” Chloe answered. “Though at times, they have us take legal stuff too like the mob did with you today.”

“Well, I’ve made up my mind. You seem to have good GPS software which is nice,” Henri said.

“And a sweet ride,” Cee added.

“I’m willing to offer you a provisional contract. You’ll get paid 25 credits a job for two weeks. If things work out, I’ll offer you a full-time gig making 50 credits a run after the probationary period,” Henri said.

“You get 10% of that as your broker’s fee?” Zoe asked.

“Where did you get that idea?” Cee asked.

“Mr Manna.”

“Henri makes a lot more than 10% per job,” Chloe laughed.

“Vinny doesn’t know much about my operation and is wrong about that,” Henri said mock glaring at Cee. “I charge my clients a flat fee based off the kind of data or item being transported.”

“I see,” Zoe said.

“If you’re willing to run the whole city, you’ll make more credits even getting paid less per run,” Chloe advised.

“What do you mean if I’m willing to run the whole city?”

“Some couriers only run certain boroughs, others only run certain areas, and some are willing to run the whole city,” Henri answered. He pointed towards a doorway to the left that led out of the receptionist area. “Take those two slackers in the lounge. They only run midtown Manhattan and the upper east side.”

“We’re not slackers. We’re comfortable,” one of the two yelled. Zoe smiled.

“They also make 150 credits a run,” Cee added winking at Zoe. “Three or four jobs a day in a small area is all they want.”

“I’m willing to travel the whole city,” Zoe said. “Got a contract for me to sign?”

“Sending now,” Henri answered. “Be here at nine in the morning and we’ll get you going.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t say be here at eight.”

“He considered it, but I’ll make sure Henri takes it easy on you for your first day,” Cee said.