Internet 24

Edward takes a moment to find a way to gently lay the news at Rico's feet. He prefers to slam it on his head and walk away, leaving Rico nursing his head for the next few years, but he can't. It's obvious the kid is on the edge, and any slight nudge will send him tumbling.

With a deep breath and a level tone, Edward continues.

EDWARD

It's our job here to investigate and learn allwe can about this world. We need to make surewe always have a reliable source of information.That means vetting and backing those babies upin as many formats as possible.That's where you come in. You will review allaccounts with the same evidencethat was provided. You will then record the eventsin our internal database, both written andwith an audio report. Afterward, you resealit with green tape and do the next report.

A grin slides across Edwards's face.

EDWARD

Starting today you are the head of the 24th division,Archival Transcript. Congrats.

RICO

Archival...

Rico looks at the mic and computer on the desk. His brain ticks, ticks, and ticks away until it finally rings.

RICO

You want me to read all these files into the mic?!?

EDWARD

You bet.

Rico grabs the files and waves them in the air with the fierce aggression of a peacock flexing its feathers. Edward takes a step back, not determined to stop him. A normal boss would stop him, try to calm him down, or call security. Not Edward, like he says, "what's work without a little spice." Plus, Rico needs this, and Edward understands him.

RICO

What the heck man! Look at these. There is no way I canget through all of them. You said every report.I know for sure we file at least three full reportsa day in my last department. I am one guy, soif I verify one a day, I am still two behind.

EDWARD

It's not just your department, it's every department.Plus, there is a backlog as we haven'tfilled this role in quite some time.

RICO

OF COURSE! WHY NOT MAKE THIS HARDER?!?

Edward leans in with a gentle smile and cold eyes.

EDWARD

If you want your teeth to stay pearly white withthat fancy dentist, you better get to it. Of course,if you want to get back in the field and--

RICO

No! No, its fine, I'll get to work.

EDWARD

Perfect, oh I got something for you.

Edward leaves the room, leaving Rico alone in the dust-covered room. He takes this time to review his life decisions and see why he ended up here. If he focused more in science, could he have gone to college? What if he didn't whiff that throw-in doge ball and hit his own teammate in the back of the head, resulting in him continuously getting picked last? This did affect his self-esteem preventing for years to come. Because of that, he didn't as Angelia Lopez to prom. Later finding out she would have said yes because she had a crush on him.

Instead, she went with Derrick Collins, and she went on to date him. Now they are married, and Derrick is a stay-at-home dad as Angelia works at one of the top three tech companies in the world. They are rolling in cash and living their best life. Rico hates dodgeball now.

Rico jerks back to reality as Edward returns, hiding something behind his back.

EDWARD

Can't be the head of a department without a subordinate.

The sound of water sloshing fills the room as from behind his back, Edward pulls out a fishbowl with a tropical fish. The fish is blue with pink and green stripes. It has large fins a bulbish eyes. It's as if a unicorn and pug ad a child and it became a fish. Edward places the bowl on the desk.

EDWARD

Meat Laurel.

RICO

The fish?

EDWARD

Tropical fish.

RICO

Why do I need a fish?

EDWARD

Studies show that the last few agents wehad in here went insane and off them--needed extended vacations becausethey had no one to talk to. So, thecompany has happily supplied a tropical fishas a companion. Also, your aloud to leavethe room during breaks for extra socializing.

RICO

I'm the only employee?

Edward ignores his question and hands him the top file from the stack.

EDWARD

This is your first assignment.

Rico grabs it.

RICO

Case number C02030110142022A00,code name Off Road. I always hatedhow we number our files

EDWARD

Our numbering has a system. Deal with it.

Edward turns and leaves Rico to his new station. Before he shuts the door, Edward turns one last time to speak.

EDWARD

Good luck, kid, and remember you got Laurelthere to talk to, get recording.

Edward leaves. Rico is left there alone in the room, with the fish. The room is filled with the hum of the computer turning on and the ac kicking in. Edward opens the desk's drawers to see more hidden files, a small electronic box that dispenses the green tape, a plastic knife meant to cut tape, a random assortment of used pens, and a coupon to get half off a sub at the local deli. Rico counts this as a win as the coupon is not expired.

RICO

The first thing I need to do after recordingthis one is clean this room.

There is a moment of silence as Rico looks at Laurel.

RICO

I am already talking to the fish.