Season1/Chapter2
"Security"
"Good evening Mr. Barkley. I want to thank you for seeing me so late in the evening. I do appreciate it." Atlas Kingston was being his usually charming self. The men shook hands and stepped into the immaculately decorated office. He had called Mr. James Barkley, attorney at law and made an appointment. He asked for the latest time available for the appointment. He was sure to state, "The later the better." Mr. Barkley was more than willing to obliged. Mr. Barkley said, "Please sit down. Would you like something to drink? Water, Soda and with a sly smile he said, "Scotch." Atlas said, "No thank you. I don't drink spirits. But thank you anyway."
"So now, what can I do for you?" Barkley sat behind his large mahogany desk. He fiddled with some paperwork and stop to wait for an answer. Atlas said, "As I mentioned to your secretary, I have some arrangements I need to do in reference to money." With that, Barkley smiled. He said, "What kind of arrangements are we talking about?" Atlas said, "Well, I've come into some money. Not a lot mind you but enough that needs looking after." "I see," said Barkley. Atlas continued, "It's very strange really. I came into it by sheer luck." Barkley sat up in his chair and said, "Pray tell."
Atlas said, "I was a security guard for twenty years. I worked in the downtown library. You know, when libraries had books. I spent hours upon hours with books." Barkley said, "I see. Please continue." "I worked the midnight shift. So, I started reading, then the reading became studying and then the studying became learning." Barkley said, "What does that have to do with this money you are talking about?" Atlas said, "Well, I took an interest in chemistry, mechanics, engineering and many other subjects. I soon found myself well versed in these fields." Barkley said, "So why didn't you go out into the world and implement the knowledge you gained." Atlas thought for a while and then said, "I guess I was satisfied with life. The pleasure for me was in learning, not monetizing." "I see," said Barkley. "I still don't see how I can help you and/or with what I can help you." Atlas smiled and said, "Oh yes, the money."
"About a year ago, I went into my regular gas station and bought a scratch off ticket. I did it on a whim." Barkley was now at full attention. "I waited two days before scratching it off. When I did, it said that I had won $7,000 a week for life. I was exalted. I did not know what to do." It then occurred to me to see an attorney. So, that is why I'm here." Barkley was all grin and teeth. He said, "So you want advice on what to do with it?" Atlas stop smiling and said, "No. I know what to do with it. I just needed an excuse to get you alone." Barkley said, "So it's a lie." Atlas said, "No Mr. Barkley, it is not a lie. I did win and yes, I did need to see you."
Barkley looked confused. He said, "Okay, you need to tell me what's going on here?" Atlas said, "It's about a girl and a former client of yours. The girls name is Abigail Tomlin and your client is or was Billy Ranard." "Now see here, I think it's time you left my office." Atlas said, "I don't think so. It's time you paid for your sins." Barkley said, "What sins? He was my client and I defended him. Everyone is entitled to a competent defense, aren't they!" "They are," said Atlas but to advise before the crime is committed makes you culpable. Barkley was incensed. He started to get up and that's when he felt it. The sharp pain raced through his head. He grabbed it and screamed. He felt as though someone had taken a hacksaw to his head. Atlas said, "I poisoned you sir." Barkley was on the ground. He looked up and tears were streaming down his eyes. "But how," he said. Atlas replied, "With the hand shake sir, with the hand shake." They were all alone. The secretary had gone home for the evening. Atlas stood over James Barkley, Esq. as he slowly succumb to the poison. Atlas kneels down and said, "Mrs. Jackie Tomlin sends her regards." Atlas then got up, peeled the adhesive from his palm and then left the office.
"Security"
"Good evening Mr. Barkley. I want to thank you for seeing me so late in the evening. I do appreciate it." Atlas Kingston was being his usually charming self. The men shook hands and stepped into the immaculately decorated office. He had called Mr. James Barkley, attorney at law and made an appointment. He asked for the latest time available for the appointment. He was sure to state, "The later the better." Mr. Barkley was more than willing to obliged. Mr. Barkley said, "Please sit down. Would you like something to drink? Water, Soda and with a sly smile he said, "Scotch." Atlas said, "No thank you. I don't drink spirits. But thank you anyway."
"So now, what can I do for you?" Barkley sat behind his large mahogany desk. He fiddled with some paperwork and stop to wait for an answer. Atlas said, "As I mentioned to your secretary, I have some arrangements I need to do in reference to money." With that, Barkley smiled. He said, "What kind of arrangements are we talking about?" Atlas said, "Well, I've come into some money. Not a lot mind you but enough that needs looking after." "I see," said Barkley. Atlas continued, "It's very strange really. I came into it by sheer luck." Barkley sat up in his chair and said, "Pray tell."
Atlas said, "I was a security guard for twenty years. I worked in the downtown library. You know, when libraries had books. I spent hours upon hours with books." Barkley said, "I see. Please continue." "I worked the midnight shift. So, I started reading, then the reading became studying and then the studying became learning." Barkley said, "What does that have to do with this money you are talking about?" Atlas said, "Well, I took an interest in chemistry, mechanics, engineering and many other subjects. I soon found myself well versed in these fields." Barkley said, "So why didn't you go out into the world and implement the knowledge you gained." Atlas thought for a while and then said, "I guess I was satisfied with life. The pleasure for me was in learning, not monetizing." "I see," said Barkley. "I still don't see how I can help you and/or with what I can help you." Atlas smiled and said, "Oh yes, the money."
"About a year ago, I went into my regular gas station and bought a scratch off ticket. I did it on a whim." Barkley was now at full attention. "I waited two days before scratching it off. When I did, it said that I had won $7,000 a week for life. I was exalted. I did not know what to do." It then occurred to me to see an attorney. So, that is why I'm here." Barkley was all grin and teeth. He said, "So you want advice on what to do with it?" Atlas stop smiling and said, "No. I know what to do with it. I just needed an excuse to get you alone." Barkley said, "So it's a lie." Atlas said, "No Mr. Barkley, it is not a lie. I did win and yes, I did need to see you."
Barkley looked confused. He said, "Okay, you need to tell me what's going on here?" Atlas said, "It's about a girl and a former client of yours. The girls name is Abigail Tomlin and your client is or was Billy Ranard." "Now see here, I think it's time you left my office." Atlas said, "I don't think so. It's time you paid for your sins." Barkley said, "What sins? He was my client and I defended him. Everyone is entitled to a competent defense, aren't they!" "They are," said Atlas but to advise before the crime is committed makes you culpable. Barkley was incensed. He started to get up and that's when he felt it. The sharp pain raced through his head. He grabbed it and screamed. He felt as though someone had taken a hacksaw to his head. Atlas said, "I poisoned you sir." Barkley was on the ground. He looked up and tears were streaming down his eyes. "But how," he said. Atlas replied, "With the hand shake sir, with the hand shake." They were all alone. The secretary had gone home for the evening. Atlas stood over James Barkley, Esq. as he slowly succumb to the poison. Atlas kneels down and said, "Mrs. Jackie Tomlin sends her regards." Atlas then got up, peeled the adhesive from his palm and then left the office.