Jester Begins His Flight

The whistle rang and the conveyor belt slowed, stopped, signalling shift change.

Jester put his tools in his box and nodded shyly at his replacement and headed for the locker room. He'd only been working the conveyor belt for a week. A promotion. It even meant a little more money. It was hard though, coming into a new place.

He took off his overalls and hung them in his locker. He didn't talk to anyone, just gathered up his lunch box and his book and headed to the line for his pay.

He worked it out slowly in his head, adding the extra amount per day and trying to work out how much would come off for union costs and mandatory future health payments. There should be twelve more notes. That would pay for new boots for Rinia and some meat for the stew. And then there would be twelve more again next week.

" Your code?" The voice that sounded was low, rich, the Super's black eyes shining down a long beaked nose. "Oh, our new boy. #AT2380, yes?"

He nodded and cleared his throat. "Yes, sir."

His chip was handed over. "Your reports have been excellent. Good job."

He smiled up at the tall man, pocketing the chip. "Thank you. Thank you very much."

" You're welcome. Enjoy your end of week. A lot of the boys meet at Lester's for caf or beer, if you're at loose ends." Oh, that voice was lovely. Sure. Strong.

" Oh, I should get straight home, but thank you. It was very kind of you to offer." He smiled again at the Super, searching his mind for an excuse to linger.

" Oh, you have a wife at home?" The question was teasing, gentle, the Super handing out the last few chips to those in line behind him.

He blushed. "Oh no, I'm not married. I still... " his blush got deeper. "I live with my family."

" Oh? I lived with mine for many years until my sister married. Now I have a suite of rooms of my own."

" A whole suite? All to yourself?" He snapped his mouth shut, realising he'd just been rude, but he didn't even have a bed to himself, let alone a room and it just seemed... like a dream.

" Yes. Three whole rooms above the club I belong to." The black eyes glittered at him, not looking upset at all.

" A club?" He didn't know why he was pursuing it, he needed to get home and he was sure the Super wanted to go as well, now that he'd handed out all the chips.

The Super nodded. "A men's club -- parties, a bar, places to dance and relax. It's a nice place."

" Lester's?" That was the name of the place the Super had said people met for caf or beer. Maybe... maybe he would go next week. If nothing came up, he had 12 extra notes and he could have a meal and maybe a caf or try a beer.

" No. This is called the Velvet Glove. Up in the highway district." He got a warm smile. "You ought to come to supper sometime. I can have a guest."

He blinked. "Me? You'd like me to come to supper with you?"

continued in chapter one