“So that’s who Leva Dorm is, as far as the United States Government is concerned,” Director Masrabi explained as she closed up her briefcase. “She’s a political assassin.” She set her briefcase aside and, after glancing at Garret, said, “And what I’m about to tell you is classified: she’s still active.”
The Colonel’s head rose when she said that. Leva, however, said, “Well, yeah, I’m here.”
“The United States Congress passed a bill removing automatic voting eligibility,” explained the Director as she sat on the checkout counter of the clothing store. “Voting was no longer an inalienable right of all citizens, it was something that had to be obtained.”
“You’re joking!” Leva exclaimed, astonished to hear of such a development.
Dressed once more, Leva was sitting on the counter of the checkout lane of her store. Masrabi was sitting next to her, the two adult women sitting on the counter like teen girls in a shopping mall. Colonel Garret stood a few paces away, considering a shirt in the store’s limited inventory.
“When the Security Counsel got wind that Leva Dorm had resurfaced, they didn’t believe it,” explained the Director as she handed over a folder. The door of the store opened, an older man starting to enter, when the Director told him, “Sorry, we’re closed right now.”
Director Masrabi laid the briefcase down on the table, between a pair of stone-washed jeans and a pair of black slacks. She opened the briefcase and produced from it a manilla folder. Opening it, she turned a picture so Leva could see it.
It was a picture of herself.
Colonel Garret held open the door for Director Misrabi, who entered the clothing shop like a single mom coming to pick up her child from daycare. The store was a pair of old analog registers on shelves with their back to the store. The walls were lined with mismatched shelves that were mostly empty and folding tables that we half-covered with sparse clothing selections.
Leva Dorm turned around from the rear-most table, Elsa leaning against the table with her. As soon as she saw the Colonel, Elsa stood up and snapped a salute. “Sir!”
Teach The Sky 