6.4

“Next,” the enforcer called out, allowing Cass to come up to the counter.
      “Good day, I need a new supply of anti-radiation pills,” she said and put her badge on the counter. The enforcer scanned it in silence and checked the information on their screen.
      “It says here that you came to pick up a new bottle a bit over two weeks ago. You should still have enough for a month and a half. I can’t give you a new bottle already. Come back in four weeks.”
      “No, wait! I lost my bottle. I put it in my bag to bring with me to work, so I can take my pill when I change – it’s a good time to remember to take the pill, since you work every day. But I work in the pill bottling halls. I must’ve misplaced mine in the dressing room and someone threw it out, thinking it was a bottle with a broken seal. Please, I don’t have a new bottle anymore and I’m scared of the radiation!” Cass pleaded, forcing herself to fake almost tearing up.
      “And how do we know you’re not just hoarding pills with a fake excuse? We can’t give out bottles whenever.”
      “Why would I be hoarding bottles? The pills are meant for my own safety, I know that. Why would I hoard those?”
      “Some workers believe that they should take a double dose or none at all I believe, so we don’t give new bottles until you only have two more weeks of pills remaining. Let me get one of the pharmacists to help you.” The enforcer stood up and walked to the back. A pharmacist, whose brown hair was in a neat braid, returned in their place and sat down.
      “What can I help you with?” she asked with a smile.
      “I would like a new bottle of anti-radiation pills, like I just told the enforcer that came to get you. I lost my previous one that I only got a few weeks ago. I always put my bottle at work, so I have a clear reminder to take it as I work in the hall where they bottle the pills. Someone must’ve thought it was a wrong bottle and threw it out, because it was gone today.”
      Damn, so many lies today, she thought while waiting for the woman to respond.
      “As the enforcer has probably already told you, we can’t give out new bottles randomly. However, since you have no record of getting bottles early or late all the time, I can change the date when you are allowed to pick up a new supply manually. This is a one-time thing, so don’t misplace it again. Let me get your supply from the storage, please step aside so the next person in line can be helped in the mean time.” She typed something in Cass’ file and left the counter to the enforcer again.
      Cass waited patiently, eyeing the people in the queue and listening in on their conversations. Most came to get their new supply of pills, although some put a piece of paper on the counter and waited for a batch of medication. Mostly the elderly who needed painkillers or a stomach calming medicine. Nothing more interesting than that actually, illnesses generally didn’t occur in Underconqueron.
      “Here you go, girl. A fresh new batch for you. I put your name on the bottle, so cleaners might not throw it away as quickly, but keep an eye on where you leave it. Have a good day.” The woman smiled slightly.
      “Thank you for your help. Have a good day, long live Father Xavierno,” Cass said hoping it would somehow save her reputation a little bit.
      “Long live Father Xavierno.” The braided brunette left the counter quickly as Cass left for the doors.
      Don’t look at the bottom, she told herself. The journey to her room was painful. She fought the urge to check valiantly and managed to make it to her bunker. Once inside, she ran to her room and flung the door close behind her – with a bit too much force as she could hear the frame cracking under the impact of the door. She kneeled in front of the cabinet in which she had hidden her coded bottle and tried to stay out of the window’s view. Huddled in a corner of her room with both bottles in her hands, she closed her eyes. Her heart was racing when she turned the bottles upside down. To make the shock or disappointment less, she covered the bottoms with her hands before carefully opening her eyes.
      She took a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself down, but it didn’t help. She drew one final breathe in before slowly removing her hands, uncovering the bottoms.