Page 37Entry

I'd brought a few minor tools with me, taken from the store. I felt a little guilty about it, but it wasn't like there was a shortage on them. It would suit me well if I would have to gain entrance anywhere. To be honest, it had been absolutely fascinating to learn how locks worked and how they were picked. Some of them were ridiculously simple, just based on a trigger inside of the lock that was 'hard to reach'. The more modern locks became more and more complex with pins, springs and other guards.

It had taken me quite some time to get used to them, and recognizing from the lock which tool I had to use. It wasn't something we sold in the store directly. People had to have placed an order through some mechanism that I wasn't allowed to find out. The Internet had to be involved at some point, unless people were really good at code through the phone.

Anyway.

The docks were quiet. Even more so than last night, despite tonight having more people going out. I wasn't sure why, but I kind of expected people to be flirting around there. On the other hand, the docks were fairly depressing as the ocean side went. There must be plenty of much more romantic places out there for would-be couples to play. The phone rang almost immediately after I turned it on.

"Yes?"

The woman, the same as yesterday, spoke up. "We have a request on short notice, did you practice with the goggles?"

I listened closely to the background noise on her side. It was practically the same as last time. No open windows or sound from outside the room. A slight buzz of machines, just like before. It was a pity I wasn't savvy enough with technology to actually trace this call. Though, I expected there to be a lot more to this than was immediately clear. Layer upon layer of security...

Except...

A smile played on my face as a simple yet probably effective idea formed in my mind.

"Go on."

But patience was required.

"On the ninth floor of the building you were on last night, there's an office on the north side that is protected. What you have to do is disable the alarm system, without leaving a trace or fingerprint, but not steal anything from the building."

I had to suppress the immediate response of why. But it didn't do to ask too many questions. Not until I saw them in person though.

"We left a little gift where you found the phone."

When I looked there was a small bag with two items. Four, if you want to be technical. Very thin sterile gloves and something, of the same rubber, that would probably be used on my feet. It took me a moment of thought to realize that it would be best to wear them over my socks rather than my shoes. The rubber looked so thin that footprints would be left through that kind of rubber anyway.

But what about last night?

Well, other people had obviously been to the roof and they wouldn't dust the whole side of the building for fingerprints, would they?

In fact, I didn't think they'd assume someone getting in through the roof anyway. It was a little too high for that with few surrounding buildings. None of them even coming close to that one.

I opted not to wear the gloves while climbing. It would be impossible for a normal human to climb up there. Probably. It did make me curious what would happen to me when I was climbing up and lightning would strike it. Would I live? It'd fry some of my nerves and skin. Would it count as fire?

I took my time walking to the building. They didn't specify a time-frame, but I assumed that she wanted this to be done tonight. It was good that I already knew how to get up there and, at least tonight, was prepared for a little more. I didn't have anything with me to clip, technically. But a very tiny knife would probably do.

The building was quieter than last night. There was not even a guard walking around the parking place. There was still one sitting at the entry though, looking at the screens in front of him, one of which was a little more active than a security camera would be. I suppose some things in movies are true after all. Guarding is so boring that you'd watch television after everyone is gone.

Avoiding the cameras like before, I climbed to the roof and pulled off my shoes. I put on the gloves and rubbers on my feet before I walked to the door. Ah... The first obstacle. There was a camera above the door that was not easily avoided. But, as it was a little higher, I could maybe sneak in if I stayed close enough to the wall and the door.

It was very, very tricky.

My first real lock-picking.

It was a very standard lock, and hardly any effort to do. It took me about three minutes to open it with a gentle click. When I opened the door I looked at the edge of it, making sure that it would stay out of the camera's view.

Amazing how people can overlook such simple things. Why did they even place camera's pointing away from the door? Wouldn't it be much better to put it in a position where it looked at the door? That way you'd see who tried to fiddle with it -before- they'd open it. Especially on the roof, where the camera hardly covered a quarter of it.

I couldn't open the door too far and was forced to crawl sideways through the opening. I didn't mind, it was terribly exciting!

I was a thief!

It makes one wonder if it is common for timeless creatures to fade from the cultural morals that are laid upon us.