Borrowed
by Hermetics
As it appeared in Broadsword issue one
The Advertisement read: Once in a life time opportunity, travel, become educated all for a high reward. Only male applicants need apply. Call 231-1631.
He had been unemployed for over 3 years, he had a wife, 3 children and a friend that would call him over, now and then to play chess.
He rang the number and received a surprisingly enthusiastic response. They told him that he required no documentation and that he should just bring himself over to the given address at 11.00 am the next morning.
He arrived at the given address fifteen minutes early, he analysed the small building, concluding that it looked crammed and that it was of bad architectural design.
He really could not see a once in a lifetime opportunity coming out of this place.
He stared at it again, then entered. Inside, the lifts were not working and so he was forced to use the stairs. It was dark inside and a beam of sunlight that entered through, looked all the more magnificent because of the dust particles it pierced.
Room 2 level 3. He gave three knocks, the door felt hollow. Seconds later the door opened. He was greeted by a man in an off-white suit and inside there were another two men in similar attire. The room seemed larger than what it was capable of being, but he mentioned nothing. He only wanted to know what these people had to offer.
They said they were from an unnamed non-political organisation which operated on a universal scale. They were looking for an agent and asked whether he would be interested.
His reply was that it depended on how much he was paid.
They offered him a generous amount of money, something like £60,000 with an increase of 10% each year. If he accepted his family would be relocated to an improved household in a decent neighbourhood.
He said he was very interested. They asked if he would mind if someone accompanied him whilst travelling for a long period of time. He did not mind.
They informed him that the work could get dangerous but that he would return alive and healthy no matter what. This guarantee was a part of their policy that applied to all agents in the organisation.
They asked him wether he had any questions; to which he queried as to what exactly he might be doing?
They informed him that all would be revealed when he reached his prime location.
This concluded the meeting. They would be awaiting his response by phone the same time tomorrow morning. That evening he discussed the prospect with his wife. Together they agreed that it was an incredible offer and that the opportunity should be taken up.
The next morning at 10:55 he telephoned to confirm the position. They were pleased that he accepted. He was informed that he would be leaving in two day’s time. His family would be relocated the next day.
His new residence was a luxurious and conformable one. So far the agreement had been true to the letter, although he still was not totally confident about these people.
They telephoned him at 7.00 that evening to inform that he would be picked up at the same time the next day. No luggage would be necessary.
At 7.02 the next evening the doorbell rang. He gave his goodbyes and told his family he would see them soon. One of the off-white men led him to the grey limousine that was parked in his new driveway.
He waved at his family as the car drove off and that was the final goodbye. The car arrived at the building where he was interviewed the day before. The off-white man accompanied him upstairs. He was greeted in room 3 by the other two off-white men. They asked if he was ready for his journey. To which he replied a simple yes.
They asked if he would mind taking a routine medical examination before departure as this was standard practice. He did not mind.
They instructed him to go into room 1 and to get undressed.
He exited the room and walked to room 1. He entered the room and began undressing behind a curtain that was in front of a bench.
He lied down on the bench and briefly closed his eyes . Upon opening them he found himself on the ground of somewhere entirely different.
There was a young lady calling out ‘Doctor, Doctor.’ This was the last thing he remembered.