Read The Slave for Free Online Page B

what you’ve done today, and what is left to
do.”
    “ I’ll need another two days to finish
emptying my apartment,” Robin began. “I resigned today, called my
gym, and got rid of a lot of stuff I don’t need to store away. I
need to visit my bank to store some of my artwork in the safe
deposit box. I figured I’d send the rest to... my family, I
guess.”
    “ So you haven’t told them
yet.”
    Robin tapped her nose and tried to smile.
“On the nose, sir. I have no idea what to tell them.”
    He nodded.
    “ It’s just that I’ve never really
vanished on them. I don’t keep in contact that often, really. A
call every once in a while. I try to make it home at least once a
year.” Robin grimaced. “Jeez, it sounds like they’d barely miss me,
doesn’t it?”
    “ My guess is that they would miss you
at least once a year,” Chris said. “Some Marketplace entrants tell
their family and friends that they are leaving the country. I would
not advise you to rely on this falsehood. Although you may very
well end up doing exactly that, you may also end up being sold to
someone who lives right here, which may leave you encountering
people you know, who will then want an explanation.”
    “ I was thinking about that today. I
don’t suppose you could guarantee a buyer outside of the area,
huh?”
    The corner of his mouth rose slightly. “No,
I’m afraid not. But the market is international. And the northeast
is rather a small part of it.”
    Robin shivered for a moment and drew her
knees up. “I don’t know,” she said softly. “I don’t know what to
say.”
    “ To them, or to me?”
    She looked up. “Both.”
    “ Of the two, I would spend more time
worrying about me. Because if you somehow fail to assure me that
your behavior and dedication is perfect for the block, you won’t
have to say a thing to your family, other than perhaps explaining
why you suddenly left your old job. But if you manage to get into
the Marketplace, at the very worst, you can always simply tell them
the truth.”
    “ Oh sure. ‘Hi, Mom, just wanted to
call and tell you that your daughter has run off to be a slave!
Love to Dad!’” Robin’s sarcasm sprang forth without thought, and
the horror came immediately after. Her mouth dropped open, and her
hand flew up to cover it. “Omigod, I’m so sorry, sir, I didn’t mean
that!”
    Chris only smiled. “Yes, you did.
Apparently, you are so used to hiding everything about yourself,
the very thought of openly declaring it is utterly ridiculous to
you. But I tell you that almost half of the Marketplace applicants
do actually tell their spouses, parents, lovers, or best friends
about where they are going. Now go get the door and our dinner. We
will eat informally, in here.”
    She had been so overcome by her
embarrassment that the light chiming in the background had gone
entirely unnoticed. Now, with a contrite nod, she leapt to her feet
and almost ran down the hallway.
    Of all the stupid, dumb ass things to do!
Why can’t I watch my mouth? Why can’t I concentrate? Stupid,
stupid! You have to watch yourself, girl, or you’re back on the
streets with your resume and a lot of explaining to do, to an awful
lot of people.
    There was a man at the door, bearing a
covered tray. He was tall and slender, with long blond hair,
wearing a light silk shirt that was open halfway down his bare
chest. Obviously, he had to have come from somewhere in the
building. But Robin focused upon his throat, around which was
wrapped a heavy gold chain, linked through a ring from which a
golden lock was suspended.
    “ Hi, you must be Robin!” he said in a
friendly drawl. “Here’s dinner. Watch it, it’s a lil’ hot on the
right side. Please give mah respects to Chris, will you?” His voice
was as light as his attitude and clothing, and as he handed a tray
to her, he grinned. “And don’t look so worried, chile, you’ll get
all wrinkled up, like a prune!”
    “ Thank you,” Robin managed to