Slamming the chair under the table Joanie paced what little floor space there was in the cramped room. We're screwed. It's over. She rubbed her forehead and mumbled to herself "This is not good. Not good."

Norma and June backed out of the room quiet as mice in order to avoid the full blast of Joanie's frustrations. Think. Think. What to do. How do we? What about? No. Time. Every time. Nothing ever goes as planned. Why? Why can't it just be easy? Safe. She's dead.

Joanie began to pace faster as she tried to think of a solution. Sal stood in the corner with his arms crossed watching as Joanie continued to pace the floor. 

Idiot. Why can't you just? Think. Think. Think. Think. 

Joanie began to hit herself in the head saying "Think. Think. What do we do?"

"Jo, look at me." 

Sal moved from his corner towards Jo. Still pacing and hitting her head Joanie didn't notice Sal as he moved into her space. Sal stopped in front of Jo's path and rose his voice breaking Joanie out of her haze of panic "Jo!" 

Jo froze in place with her hand rubbing the now sore spot on her forehead. Nothing. I've got nothing. 

With a look of defeat, Jo stared at Sal. Sal took a step closer now only a breath separated the pair. Never losing her gaze, Sal wrapped his hands around Jo's face. Leaning down Sal's grayish blonde locks tickled Jo's forehead while his lips lingered for a moment hovering over her's inviting her to separate the paper thin gap between their lips. 

I hate when he looks at me like that. 

Sucking in a breath Jo could taste the spearmint toothpaste as her lips broke the gap. 

I missed you. No one ever looked at me the way you did. No one saw me. They all saw my imperfections. Don't leave. Please. 

Sal was the first to break their connection leaving Joanie with a look of confusion. 

"Jo, you need to breathe. Megan knew the risks. She can handle herself."

Jo grabbed the collar of Sal's shirt and pulled him back to herself as their lips locked once more. "Don't leave me."

"Never."

"I missed you."

"I know."

"Did you?"

"I mean look at me. I'd miss me too."

Jo broke their connection to swat a hand at Sal's arm. 

Jo leaned onto Sal's shoulder as she mumbled, "Idiot."

"But I'm your idiot."

"Yeah, yeah."

"I love you."

"I love you too." 

After a few moments, Joanie continued,  "I don't know what to do."

"You've prepared for this?" asked Sal.

Nodding Joanie replied "Yes."

"And Megan has prepared for this?" Sal asked tilting his head to look into Joanie's eyes.

"Yes," Joanie responded.

"Then you'll be ok. You're prepared. The timetable has just moved forward." Sal said with confidence.

"Yeah to three days from now." Replied Joanie looking concerned

"That just means you'll learn what's going on sooner," Sal explained.

"I know, but I don't like surprises. The last time I was surpri---." Joanie stopped herself as she remembered

"So, you and Sal? Huh?" said Julian nudging Joanie in the side as they were prepping for their mission.

Rolling her eyes she responded "Yeah you knucklehead. I can't believe you let me sit there and think he was flirting with another woman."

Julian hesitantly said, "Well... I know how you are when you're angry."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Joanie quickly with her brow furrowed.

"That you're a bit of a hot head and anyone or anything in your path when you're angry, gets destroyed." Replied Julian stepping back slowly trying to not draw attention to his movements.

Joanie took a swing at Julian's arm, but he moved out of its path. "Hey that's not true!" replied Joanie pleading her case.

Giving Joanie a look of disbelief, Julian replied sarcastically "Sure, you're not."

"Ok, maybe I am." Conceded Joanie.

"It's ok I still love you." Replied Julian putting his arm around his sister.

Giving Julian a goofy smile Joanie responded: "I know it's because I'm so lovable."

"I hate it when you do that." Replied Julian rolling his eyes.

"Why? jealous that you aren't as lovable as me?" joked Joanie.

"No JoJo, because you hardly ever give me a straight response. It's like you're afraid to say it." Responded Julian seriously.

Shrugging it off Joanie responded, "It's just my way of saying it I guess."

The pair finished getting ready and Joanie handed an earpiece to Julian. Taking the device Julian secured it into his ear. 

Sal came into the room and asked: "You two ready yet?"

"Yeah, we're ready." Replied Joanie walking towards the door.

The three of them all walked to the doorway leading into the casino floor and separated; Julian went to a blackjack table and Joanie and Sal made their way to the bar. Sal pushed at his earbud quietly said: "Marj can you hear us?"

Back in the room, Marjorie was sitting with a headset on as she responded, "Loud and clear. Julian? Can you hear us?"

Coughing Julian responded "Yes."

Julian played a few hands of blackjack while Sal and Joanie scanned the room for possible threats. 

Sal leaned over to Joanie and whispered: "Want to go play a little poker?"

"No, Sal we are the job." Responded Joanie giving him a stern look.

"Oh, come on Jo just a little game." Begged Sal.

Julian could hear the conversation and responded "Go JoJo have a little fun. I'll be ok."

"Fine, let's go but only one game." Replied Joanie emphasizing the word one.

Sal hopped up with delight like a child. They made their way to a poker table on the other side of the casino. Sal did well his first game and convinced Joanie to play another. Joanie did well the second game and was ready to leave, but Sal wanted to stay for one more game. Getting nervous Jo couldn't shake an off feeling that something was going to happen. 

They were gathering up their chips and leaving the table when Julian buzzed in "Guys, I think someone is coming over."

"You come with me." said a voice harshly cutting through mic.

Innocently Julian responded "Me?"

"Yes, you." Replied the voice harshly.

Muffled sounds of movement were coming through the mic as Julian rose from his seat. Joanie looked at Sal in panic as they started to run back towards Julian. 

Before she came up to the bar and scanned for Julian Joanie could hear Julian whisper "I love you, JoJo." 

He was nowhere to be seen and Joanie started to panic. 

Joanie frantically pleaded with Marjorie, "Where is he? Where is he? Marj track him."

Marjorie guided Joanie towards Julian's mic, but there was no sign of Julian. Joanie scanned the area and began to panic pulling at her hair.

"It says he's right there." Replied Marjorie quickly.

Joanie looked to the floor and saw Julian's earpiece on the floor.

Sal could see the look on Joanie's face and knew what she was thinking. 

"Jo? It wasn't your fault. I convinced you to leave him. If it's anyone's fault it was mine. I should've never convinced you to leave him." Sal said solemnly. 

It was no one's fault. Joanie's heart broke as she looked into his eyes and saw how much he blamed himself and knew what it felt like to carry that guilt with you every day. A weight she'd carried herself and never realized that Sal lived with that same feeling of guilt. Joanie wrapped her arms around Sal and whispered, "It wasn't your fault either." 

#

On the drive home, Carly thought about Dr. Taylor's warning. What did he mean he didn't like that part of his job? What are they doing? What's so horrible they have a secret elevator?  Who's in charge really? Is the government running this? Is it some sort of cover-up? A conspiracy? Are they using them for labor?  Carly's thoughts swirled as she tried to wrap her mind around what the Mill might really be doing. Free labor seems too odd? Experiments? Maybe. But what for? And why the elderly?

She couldn't wrap her mind around what the Mill was doing below ground.  Why not turn me in? Fear? Why not quit? Is he a pawn? Did dad have him warn me? Does dad know? What if he does? Carly rubbed her the bridge of her nose in frustration leaving a red mark behind as she drove. Pulling into her driveway Carly noticed Sal's lights were on. Maybe Sal can help. Parking her car Carly walked over to Sal's house and rang the bell. While she waited she thought about the day that she'd come home after seeing Dr. Taylor go down the mysterious elevator.

Carly pulled into her driveway confused and not knowing what she should do. 

I need some advice. Maybe Sal can help me. That elevator can't be anything good. Maybe he'll be able to help me chalk it up to a weird one-time incident. Maybe I was just seeing things. Delusional. That's it. I'm just delusional. 

Carly sighed as she slumped over towards Sal's house frustrated that she couldn't shake off what she had seen. 

I can't ask dad. What if? No. Surely not. But to be safe. I can trust Sal, right? I certainly hope so. I don't have anyone else. Oh lord. He'll think I'm crazy. 

Reluctantly Carly knocked on Sal's door slightly hoping that he wouldn't answer and that she could just forget the whole day ever happened. She waited at the door, wondered if someone might be watching her.

 Sal opened the door and greeted her with a big smile "Carly? I wasn't expecting you this evening. Come on in." 

Carly stepped into the house and quietly said: "Sal, I think there's something weird going on at work and I need advice. Maybe. Maybe I'm just crazy. But it didn't seem right."

Sal's brow furrowed with concern as he motioned for Carly to follow as he responded: "Well, let's have a seat and you can tell me all about it." 

The pair entered into a large living room and sat down. After getting comfortable Carly explained what she saw in the supply room and that she felt there was something off about it. Not just the fact that it was odd to have a secret elevator, but she also had a feeling there was something terrible going on.

"I just don't know who I can trust Sal. I don't even know if my own father is involved. What do I do?" Carly asked burying her head in her hands.

Sighing Sal responded "Well, Carly you are in luck because I know more about this than you might think. This is going to be difficult to believe, but I work for an organization that was founded with the mission of taking down the Mill. All that we've learned through the years is that there's more to the Mill than simple population control. We don't know any specifics. We've even tried for years to break into their ranks, but most of our attempts have failed. It's likely that your father is involved in the cover-up. We believe that they're not killing, but are using them in some way."

Carly's eyes grew wide as Sal explained all that he knew of the Mill and their true use. She could hardly believe that her trusted friend was a spy working against the organization she was working for.

Sal sighed as he continued, "Now, Carly you don't be upset, but I didn't simply move here because the neighborhood is nice. I moved here specifically because of you."

Shaking her head and looking confused Carly asked: "Wait, what?"

"I was placed here as a way to surveil you and to gather information. Considering we don't know who all is involved we place agents with various employees to gain their trust and gather information." Sal explained.

"So, you aren't really my friend you're just doing your job?" asked Carly sounding a little hurt.

"Well, yes and no. I became your friend because of my job, but I also became your friend in the process. I think that you are a great young lady and you happen to remind me greatly of someone important to me." Said Sal reassuring Carly that he did indeed feel that they were friends.

"So, we're friends?" asked Carly raising a questioning eyebrow.

Laughing Sal responded, "Yes Carly we're friends."

"Now, what am I supposed to do?" asked Carly still worried.

"Well I'll need to speak with my superior, but for now you need to act as if nothing happened," Sal explained.

#

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