Between Footsteps| p.jm

TWO| --.- ..- .- .-.. .. ..-. -.--

"But how do I know it's even real?!"

"Because it is."

Wow, very helpful.

You bit your lower lip in slight irritation before sighing and attempting to ask more questions. 

"The ringmaster said I'd only be here for 105 days. He also called the Between a home between homes. Where do I go after this?"

"It depends," She spoke with a shrug, attention reverting back to her computer. "It depends on a lot of things, but primarily the outcome of your final show."

"OK then, where could I go? What are my options? And what happens during my final show?"

The woman, Chloe, looked up a bit with new found irritation laced in her voice as she spoke.

"Unfortunately miss, those are questions outside of jurisdiction and are restricted. I can't answer them at this time."

You sunk lower into your chair at her tone and stayed a bit silent as she typed some more. 

"79," She began suddenly, you perking up at the sound of her once again friendly voice. "You can ask more questions later if you'd like. You are given that right, but for now let's get you into the system properly."

You nodded quickly, not knowing if you wanted to be imputed into a system you knew nothing about but figuring you had no other choice.

"Now, right off the bat you have some choices," She spoke with a more perky voice, "When some arrive at the Between they want to recover their memories by being a guest. If you take on the role of a guest, you are free to wonder about and play games for your memories at the booths. You may attend the shows everyday and can stay at one of our nicer hotels. However, this is a bit of a gamble. As a guest, you don't have as many chances of recovering memories as those who work do due to their limitations."

You listened intently and did your best to take mental notes and pay attention. The flickering shadows on the wall made this difficult. 

"If you would like to apply for a job, you say so now. There are three levels of work; bronze, silver, and gold. The higher the level, the better the job's value and living conditions and the more memories you recover on your paycheck by the end of the day."

"But..." You cut in, beginning to become a bit confused, "How do I apply? I mean, I don't know anything about myself."

"The system does," Chloe spoke while nodding to the computer. "In fact, everything there is to know about you is now right in front of me."

You didn't like those words or the playful smile she gave you after speaking them. Never the less, you played along.

"Can I see?" You asked weakly, mustering a smile.

She laughed a bit and shook her head.

"Nice try. However, you do get information about yourself if need be based on where you're placed if you decide to work. Now, if you'd like to apply and see what level you are eligible for, just let me know. Or, you can decide to be a guest, sign the basic paper work, and be on your way. I will note that although the lowest ranking, even bronze jobs earn about twice as many memories as guests do per day if you work hard enough. And remember, you only have 105 days. After that... well, you go on to your final show."

"Which I still have no idea what is," You spoke with a bit of irritation of your own now evident in your voice. Chloe stared at you a moment before sighing in defeat and lowering her voice.

"Look kid," She whispered, "I don't even know what it is. No one is allowed to see anyone elses final show. And mine is in 16 days. I'm just working as hard as I can so I can recover as many memories as possible before then." She looked a bit desperate then as for a moment, the fatigue left her eyes and was replaced with fear. "After all, it's all we have."