CHICAGO, ILLINOIS U.S.A – NEOWORLD TOWERS: APRIL 11, 2141AD - 2:12am  

Emmeline was glad the press conference was over. Not that it had gone poorly, on the contrary. Richard was his usual charming self and his speech was captivating and powerful. He took the many questions from the gaggle of reporters in stride saying all the right things and flashing his infectious smile. 

But Emmeline new Richard Crane better than anyone and something was off. Something wasn't right, but what?

Once the press had left and they were back in his office she had questioned him to no avail.

"Don't be silly Em, everything's great! World Peace! What could possibly be wrong?"

"Are you sure... I mean... I dunno, its just...."

"Come on Em, join me in drink! We should be celebrating!" 

So they did, and one drink became two and two became three and Em knew it was time to go, before she made a fool of herself.

She pulled up her car app as she made her way down to the underground parking lot,  and had her Tesla Automax 900 started and waiting by the curb when she got off the elevator. 

She got in  and pushed her thumb to the blue circle on the center panel. Cindi's smiling face appeared on command screen.

{Beep-beep-beep where to Emmeline?}

"Home Cindi, wake me when we arrive please." she said as she leaned the seat back and adjusted the headrest to the sleep position.

{Of course, sleep tight!}

The car pulled away from the curb silently and as they exited the parking garage Cindi engaged the window shields and dimmed the interior lighting. Emmeline closed her eyes but she couldn't sleep and before she knew it the car was slowing to a stop.

Cindi announced their arrival with soft muted tones.

{Ding-ding-ding - We have arrived at our destination Emmeline, please wake up.}

~-o0O0o-~

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS U.S.A – Penthouse, The Legacy: APRIL 11, 2141AD - 2:53am    

Emmeline let the robe fall from her shoulders and stepped into the bubbling Jacuzzi. As she leaned back and let the jets pummel her naked body she closed her eyes and imagined all the stress of the day flowing out of every pore.

One of the many perks of being Richard Cranes assistant was a fully furnished penthouse suite atop The Legacy building on Wabash Ave., and the private white hot tub on the huge white tiled invisible balcony was undeniably the best thing about the place.

She had dimmed the lighting and put on some music in the background to relax but just a she finally felt she was drifting her phone began to vibrate and the screen flashed a blinding red and white, its most urgent mode. It was only programmed to do that if Richard had an emergency. Emmelines' entire body went rigid, the last time Richard had used the emergency call was two years ago in Paris when terrorists had blown up the lobby of the  embassy while he was in a meeting with the French ambassador. On that occasion he was calling to let her know he was alright and not to worry. Her mind screamed, 'What's happened now?'

Emmeline jumped out of the tub drenching the floor with water. Not bothering to grab a towel she bolted  towards the white marble double sink where she had left her phone. Without warning her feet shot out from under her and she fell smashing the back of her head on the wet tiles.

A thin pool of blood slowly formed a watery pink halo around her as she lay pale, naked and unconscious on the floor, arms and legs akimbo. The phone continued to flash its' urgent call for another minute before the vibration sent it off of the counter. It clattered to the floor and went black. Then there was only the sound of the bubbling hot tub.