10 - City Limits

Adam carefully observed Joel's call with Chandler Parks, who was telling them about a rapid viral outbreak running rampant across the city. His heart pounded frantically when he learned the outbreak had likely started at the airport.

Joel ended the call and started another with Adrian. 

"The state government has asked us to provide an application for monitoring vitals and virus proximity. I guess they want to test our neural network capabilities for the outbreak." Adrian soberly informed them from the receiver.

Adam noticed one of Joel's hands had clenched into a fist. The man's eyes narrowed as Adrian further informed them of their duty and pending martial law.

"What's going on?" he asked when the calls had ended.

"It seems a highly contagious virus became airborne at the time we were at the airport. Medical officials aren't clear on the infection's viability, so we might face quarantine."

Adam frowned. "Where would we be quarantined?"

"No idea. The state government is in disarray. It was recently discovered at the RPA when a number of patients were having heart attacks and entering critical feverish stages within 24 hours of infection. They're having a hard time with all the medical board and government red tape to quarantine the infected wards." Joel eased back on the sofa and relaxed his tensions. "Anyway, Adrian has our part under control."

"Oh, and what is our part to play?"

Joel flashed him a playful smile. "To play."

Adam yelped when Joel grabbed him by the waist and yanked him toward himself. So close that their faces were a nose touch away. But Adam resisted and struggled to break free from the man's hold. He rose and stood a few paces from Joel and the sofa.

"To play? We could be infected with a deadly virus and all you can think about is hanky-panky?!"

Joel yawned, appearing unbothered by the news. "True and if my life was going to end, I'd rather have it end with a good time. How fortunate am I to see my good time standing before me."

Adam expelled a groan that was filled with exasperation. His patience was reaching a limit for the man.

"Leave. Get a corporate apartment somewhere, I don't care where, but just leave."

Joel's attitude became sober again. He sat upright to stare firmly into Adam's eyes. "You want me to go?"

"Yes."

Joel stood to stand firmly before Adam, not backing down from the man's defiant glare.

"You're evicting your boss."

"Yes, I am."

A heavy silence lingered between them before Joel broke it with a hearty laugh that startled Adam.

"Unfortunately for you, we have to stick together."

"What? No we don't."

Insistent flashing on their phones interrupted their moment. Adam hastily grabbed his device to see what was making the fuss.

It was a state government alert that 'strongly' recommended all passengers and visitors to the airport at the time they were there to remain indoors, and limit their outings to bare essentials. He glared at the final piece of advice, which near-mandated an order for the potentially infected to be quarantined together and not leave their premises.

"See? Whether you like it or not, we're stuck together," Joel smugly said over his shoulder.

Adam closed his eyes, doing his best to clear his head. After all the wrongs he had caused to his best friend and the company, it was a punishment he deserved. Accepting this was the case, he opened his eyes and let go of his defiance.

"Fine, but you clean up your mess. I'm not your maid."

"Oh? But I think you'll look stunning in a maid outfit." Joel continued to tease the cranky pretty-boy. But added with a genuine tip for the man. "Honestly Adam, you need to lighten up. That shitty attitude of yours won't win you friends."

"Right." Adam folded his arms across his chest as he resumed his defiant stance with Joel. "And you happen to be the perfect example of Mr. Popularity? I don't see anyone else rushing to invite you into their home."

"I already told people where I'm at." Joel changed the subject to keep the focus on Adam. There were a few aspects about the man that he felt he had to address with him. He eased back on the sofa to sit upright with legs crossed in an imposing posture. "While we have time together, I think we need to have a serious talk about you."

Adam continued his defiant stare at his boss. "We've talked enough about me. I'd rather talk about you. Come clean with me. What do you want here?"

"Well, if you're going to take our conversation down that route, then my want is simple." Joel smugly answered, looking more at ease. 

"And that is?"

"I need a place to stay." Joel grinned and patted the empty seat next to him. 

Adam sighed. Of course the man was going to be vague about his reasons, but was determined to get the truth out of him.

"There are plenty of hotels."

"But none of them have my direct subordinate living there. Besides, with our strongly suggested quarantine directive, it's better I don't go elsewhere. For company reasons, best I have you close on hand. Considering you'll be my General Manager coordinating Project Delivery of the Neurowall intelligence component to the A-Human project."

Adam frowned and gradually sat down next to Joel. He faced him with a different expression. It was the first time Joel saw a moment of genuine earnestness and calm from the man. 

"Why me? I'm not qualified and certainly not loyal to your company. I have my own motivations."

"Why not? Tell what your concerns are."

Adam heaved a deep sigh and paused, finding the words to answer the question.

"I don't know anything about AI technology. My specialties are project management of UX applications for IoT devices. The Dehane brand listener and influencer tool was one of my application rollouts." Adam reminded Joel of his qualification credentials.

"And you demonstrated the high potential and use of that tool quite effectively. Although, it would've been more ideal if your choice of test subject had been one of our competitors instead." Joel cordially answered.

Adam lapsed into a deep thought as he internalized Joel's words. Could he truly turn his shameless and horrible deed around to be something good? If Joel saw things this way, then maybe.

"Okay. If you hold that much faith in my abilities, I'll work to your advantages. I owe you and T-Strike that much." Adam rose and headed for the kitchen and fridge for a beer.

"It is all anyone can ask of you." Joel nodded with agreement to their arrangements.