PROJECT PARALLEL

PTE

up early that morning to do some jumping jacks and scavenge whatever breakfast he could

n at the door shouted as

t?” the lanky y

on a piece of his mind for interrupting his peace of mind. At the door was a stout Latino man, a lit cigarette punctuating his sinister

scratching the back of his head. “Wha

t was terribly out of order, b

drink?” the youngster asked, trem

Rex,” the man finally spok

Rex stalled. “That’s

his disgust with a frown. “Your rent is long overdue! I cann

“I assured you I’ll raise the funds. Please, give me a

n a disappointment to his legacy!” Mr. Romano turned

this house or I’ll evict you myself!” he warn

had never seen Mr. Romano that angry before

ord. He grunted as he shut his door with a hard bang. He hit

then dropping them on his lean hips. “I can’t even afford fries and eggs for breakfast. H

the fifth of July 2027. The time on

ed himself on the forehead.

n it and each time he saw that tag, he felt a pain in his gut then grabbed his hoverboard to get to work. His workplace was at an estate in Phoenix, Arizona. There was an electronic bill

, Bi

fficer Joe? G

nice d

Rex hollered back, his h

tics, and so on. Without genius innovations like the electronic signposts mounted everywhere, many people would have gotten lost in the complex, Re

leming. Do you need me

the bot, dismissively gesturing to it

r. Your t

opped his hoverboard on a shelf in his cupboard, then

” he greeted wit

Rex flashed a smile at

uinting his eyes to figure out why. “A

ord wants me out by Friday!” Rex hissed, his anger vi

ith his colleague, rubbing his arm to comfort

at do yo

rank my ass off and...” he paused, dramatically moving close to Rex’s

s is what you do? And I tho

“Get over your worries! Have a little fun! Don’

ai! I h

stured to him they had bet

tter as they headed to the starting point. “Now he thinks

s head to his left and right side, inwardly hop

, I don’t g

diately after he left, Rex set to work with the rooms

!” someone beckon

wner of the voice would still have been a bother whether he had the headphones. He was as tall as Rex, but he had a thicker body build. He had on a plain white lo

i?” Rex growled, turn

ishly calm. “You better watch your tongue or else the

in this shady position is because

o learn som

o talk! You didn’t learn any manners when you begged your way to wh

Rex, or I promise you, you will

inches apart. “You can talk shit for all I care, but you will not mention my dad

x’s audacity had so upset him he was now frowning,

lf right now. Y

Rex across the face as powerfully as he coul

him a

thout putting him in his rightful place. He believed that was the only way to get the respect he so desired from him and everyo

erson who earlier asked him to leave R

r which, this time around, affected Kai. The woman eyed the

rth about her. Her long, flowing black hair complemented her adequately tanned and spotless skin. She was more attractive than

e asked Rex, stretchin

u next time you misbehave,” he finished and walked away to his office a few doors down the hallway. Natasha rolled her eyes as sh

d with him. “Kai will always be Kai. Come o

not done wit

she added as she walked down to her office, which was behind the door at the end of the hallway. Sh

al intelligence of her office gree

she whisp

belonged to and what they had done with it. As he took the seat, his boss offered him. He

e office had a giant window wall on its right-hand side through which one could see much of the estate. There was a big rug on the grey ceramic tiles in the center

ing, there was a dispenser, a small tea table, a mini-fridge, and a tall flower vase carved like a lioness. The large window st

ng speakers by its side and a DVD player under it, at only two steps from the left speaker was a door leading to th

human being, arose from the sofa on the right-wing, startling Rex, who had

onded, now on its feet,

hen you’re done with that, help me schedule a meeting

two cups of coffee now!” it said, as it headed to the tea table. Natasha tur

took her seat in her chair. Rex frowned, not liking the na

w successful you’ve become? Rub it in m

shocked, another part offended. “I just helped

his boss. “Look, just to be clear, I had things under

irked. Catching his terrified look before he hid it with a stern face

sha!” KG-13 said, placing the tray

dliest smiles at her bot-droid i

left for the sofa it was sitting on earlier. Natasha giggled, turned to Rex and

him. “I don’t want to show anyt

of dramatic silent treatment. He slowly to

that! But it’s not your fault, Rex. It really isn’t. I know you more than most other people do. So, if you’re going through anything, let me know and I

small smile o

him his cup of coffee. Fortunately fo

s plate of hot cross buns and chocolate chip cookies. “Seems you’re livin

. “You have no idea how tedious my workload is. If you d

u?” Rex said with his mout

oth from my family and society,” she said and exhaled, stressed by the subject. “They want me to be my father. Heck, even greater!

a’s statement. She was trying to not let her feelings drive

g more than a disappointment to my father’s legacy,” he swallowed hard, succeeding at pretending l

ll me young when I

urs chattering about all issues. “Well, boss lady, I think it’s time I got back to work before my day

waved it off with a hand. “Ju

now I

permitted him, rising to her feet. “Rex?” She

ered, turning h

n appreciation and left the office. Immediatel