Anarchy in New Enlgand by Joe Jarvis Read Free Book Online Page A

Olympus’s many peaks.
    As he came-to a couple hours later the telescreen was showing an episode of "Switch 'Em" where a billionaire was being interviewed at his immaculate rural Georgia estate, preparing to switch places with a retail worker from the west coast.
    "I think it will be tough to be essentially cooped up in the same storefront for 30 hours this week, but I know I can handle it. It will be an interesting experience – certainly something new to be going to work at a solid building everyday instead of just telecommuting online."
    Trix rolled his eyes as he flicked off the TV "Pff, asshole."
    He put his jacket on and walked downstairs to find something to eat. He briefly considered going to the church for dinner, then decided it wasn't worth hearing the religious volunteers give their "God saves" spiel.
    Instead he decided to head 15 blocks to the main food market, where he could fill up on samples from all the vendors; maybe even get a free beer if he saw someone he knew. “ I bet they don't have beers at the church ,” he thought as he stepped onto the sidewalk, and lit a cigarette. He looked down and realized he only had two left. Tomorrow he would have to find enough money for another pack somehow. He didn't bother picking up the dirty bank coin worth a half dollar that he noticed at his feet.
    "Trix, how are you doing?" Officer Themis was just walking by, and his tone suggested he actually cared how Trix was doing.
    "Just planning my next hustle," Trix replied dryly.
    "Just don't hustle me." Themis joked. "Hey you know Corner Cop Security still has a few grants available for people who want to get clean. You should see some of these rehab centers, it's like a vacation. There's – "
    "Am I being detained?" Trix interrupted. Officer Themis let out a confused laugh, thinking Trix was joking.
    "What, no?" Themis replied with a smile.
    "Have a good day officer," Trix said emotionless without smiling, and walked away towards the vendor district.
    Officer Themis watched him walk away, wishing there was something he could do to help. As Trix turned the corner Themis sighed, shook his head, and continued the beat. Themis was offended and a bit hurt that Trix had asked if he was being detained. That was usually something people without security asked overzealous cops as a way to disengage.
    Asking "am I being detained" forced an officer to admit he suspected you of nothing and allow you on your way, or move ahead with procedures. But if the procedures were trumped up, then the officer could lose his job, or be prosecuted if he initiated force. Security agencies were not about to hire or retain officers whose unjust actions they had to spend money defending.
    And even if someone didn’t have security insurance, he could buy some after a crime was committed against him. Although this was more expensive, if the perpetrator was caught and determined guilty, he was generally made to cover the costs to the victim.
    Trix had obviously meant the phrase as an insult after Officer Themis mentioned the rehab grants his security company offered as charity. It bothered Themis since he had come into contact with Trix before over some petty crime and wanted to help him, seeing the best in Trix, but he knew not to be too sensitive.
    Officer Themis was the head investigator for violent crime for Corner Cop Security. Since violent crimes only occurred on CCS’s customers once every few weeks, the rest of his time was spent patrolling customers’ property, like the street he was walking along. His shift ended as the sun started to set, so Themis grabbed a level 2 pod and headed home.
    Themis was a friendly outgoing man in his mid thirties, happily married to a teacher; they had two young kids, a boy and a girl. Officer Themis was a good looking man with prominent cheekbones and a strong jawline. He had dark hair, but was relatively pale for modern times. Themis was in shape with a muscular build, he worked out regularly, and