28 August 2012
It was raining hard, I turned up my collar and scanned the building across the street. It was quiet, unusually so for this time of night, and in the distance I could hear a dog barking.
Another hour and I could begin. I lit a smoke and breathed deep, it felt good.
I had accepted the request given me two days earlier, and had everything I needed in my satchel. It was just another routine riddance and I pictured in my minds' eye the steps I had to follow.
Easy.
Far in the distance the barking stopped. I checked my watch, twenty minutes and it would be time to start. I shifted my weight from foot to foot, got to keep my circulation going, stay on the ball.
I wasn't expecting a refusal. There had only been two refusals in sixty five years so it was still classed as unusual. Remember the routine, just in case.
I tossed what was left of my cigarette into the gutter, it glowed back at me, as if reluctant to to die, then blinked a sad farewell and went out.
It fell dark and a chill permeated the air. Almost time. I glanced up at the window of the room where I was to do my work - the light had come on, it was time to make my call.
A tingle of apprehension hit me as I stepped out of the doorway and into the street, it was a good sign, I was keyed up. The rain had stopped and I crossed the road and headed up the steps to the door, knocking twice. With a creak it opened and I was greeted by a pale middle aged woman, she looked interminably sad, as though she'd just buried her whole family and she nodded silently as I stepped into the hallway.
"You are punctual Mr Streeter".
I smiled.
"We don't keep our clients waiting". I replied, "It's bad for the client, and it's even worse for our mutual friend".
Her brow furrowed at that. Our mutual friend liked punctuality, keeping them waiting only increased the chance of a refusal and nobody wanted that, not us and definitely not the client.
Refusals were our worst enemy as the outcome of them was so unpredictable. In the past, these refusals, or hauntings if you will, resulted in evacuation and demolition and nobody wanted to go back down that route.
Costly and very bad for business.
"Do you require any further support Mister Streeter, you have everything?".
"I'm good", I replied.
"I best begin if you're good with that". She nodded, and leaving my coat downstairs I headed up to the first floor room. Time to say hello to our mutual friend.
To be continued
The Riddance • Opuss № I