Jadine opened her mouth to speak, then paused, casting her eyes around the room. “You know what? There may be something in here to help us. Our message board is electronic, so we might be able to use the computer equipment over there to splice into it and get our own message to play across the board.”
All three looked at the tower. The lights indicating the equipment was up and running, blinked at them like expectant eyes.
“Do you know how to do that?” Trevin asked, sliding from his chair.
“Well, no,” Jadine admitted. “I was hoping you would.”
“Me?” Trevin looked at her in disbelief. “Why me?”
Stacy wandered across the room for a closer look.
“Because you’re a young computer geek – guy. That’s why.”
“Because I’m a man?” Trevin gaped at her. “You think I should know because I’m male? That’s a totally sexist remark.”
“Because you’re a kid obsessed with video games and depressing music.” Jadine thumped her fists onto her hips, not liking his insinuation one bit. “How could you not know how to hack?”
“Well, I don’t.” He sneered. “And I’m a legal adult, as you very well know. Boss.”
“He might not,” Stacy said from across the room. “But I do.”
Jadine looked at her in surprise. “You do?”
Stacy nodded. “I can hack. Two things I know right off the bat: one, I’m sure they can hear us. So…” Stacy tapped at a button on the third metal box from the top. The music, playing softly at first, began to boom through the overhead speakers. Jadine clapped her hands over her ears. Cocking a finger at her co-workers, Stacy gestured for them to join her. When they were close, she pulled them closer. Whispering, she said, “I can’t do it from here. I’ve got to get into the office.”
Jadine blew out a sigh thinking, I made the wrong choice after all.
“How are you going to do that?” Trevin whispered.
Stacy shrugged.
Jadine pointed over their heads. “I have an idea.”
Trevin eyeballed the heating vent she was pointing to, with a suspicious eye.
“No way Stacy’s going to fit her chest in there,” he said.
With a gasp, Stacy folded her arms over her breasts.
“I can’t help what God gave me,” she said angrily. “What are you doing looking at it anyway?”
“No offense, Stacy,” Jadine patted the woman’s arm, “but, everyone looks at your chest. They can’t help it.”
“Talk about your sexist remarks,” Stacy mumbled.
Jadine pretended not to hear her. “She might not be able to fit through there,” she said instead, leaning closer to Trevin’s ear, “but you can.”
“No!” Trevin exploded.
“Sh!” The women said together.
“No,” he said again in a firm whisper. “You can’t make me.”
“I can fire you!” Jadine knew it was a stupid and childish response, but she couldn’t help herself. This could be their only hope.
“Lot of good it’ll do you when we’re dead,” Trevin responded.
“Would you two stop it?” Stacy hissed.
“Look, what good will it do us, for me, to go through there when you are the only one who knows what to do?” Trevin pointed a slender finger at Stacy.
“Good point,” Stacy admitted with a look of defeat. “What we need is a phone.”
“Good Lord!” Jadine smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand. “I’m so stupid. Do either of you have your phone on you?”
“No, that’s against the rules,” Stacy said. “Mine is in my locker. Where it’s supposed to be.”
“Trevin?” Jadine asked.
“Yes…” Trevin said, careful to keep his voice low. He looked guilty.
Stacy reached out and pinched his arm. “You had a phone all this time?” She hissed.
“Look, I forgot I had it. In all the excitement, you know.” He shrugged.
“Well, Trevin,” Jadine said patting his thin shoulder. “For once I’m glad you’re a rebel. Hand it over.”
Trevin fished the thin phone from his front pocket. Sheepishly, he handed it to Jadine.
“No pin for the lock screen?” She said with raised eyebrows.