80

You lock yourself in the bathroom and place a call to Chalidah.

She allows the connection. Her face appears on your holo screen. "André Timoteo?" she says. "What is it?"

"Listen carefully," you say. "I don't have much time." You explain about the gala as briefly and clearly as you can, about Eugenie's plan to pass the law to ban VE and what she envisions your role to be. "I can try to sabotage her, speak up, let people know what she really is."

"Would you really do that for us?" Chalidah asks.

"If you help me," you say.

"Help you how?"

"I need money. Five hundred credits. I have to pay child support by tonight, or I risk losing custody of my daughter."

"Is this supposed to appeal to my sensibilities?" Chalidah asks, her voice sharp as broken glass. "Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?" she continues. "I thought you were on our side. I thought you said you'll stand with us."

"And I am," you say. "I intend to. You just need to do this one thing for me."

Chalidah stares at you through the holo, weighing you, judging you. "OK," she says after a moment. "Do what you can tonight, and you'll have the money."

"No, I need the money now," you say. "I can't risk it."

Chalidah rubs her eyes. She suddenly looks exhausted. "Fine," she says. "I'll beam you the amount now."

You terminate the connection. In an instant, the money arrives in your account. Without hesitating, you transfer it to your ex-wife and put your holo away.

At least that's done.

What happens next is a different matter.

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