A story by Laurie J Rich

Elua expected a job with the One World Shadow Government™ would be conspiracy and magic. Turns out, it’s kind of a drag.

If you’re the best in the world at anything, they’ll find you. She didn’t hesitate to sign after hearing that. They sell you on jobs for spies, historians, authors — they don’t mention some are downright mundane. And once you’re in, there’s no variety, no advancement, no reprieve.

The pay is great but the contract’s terrible. The door beeps and she turns to greet her customer, one hand on the register, smile aching. Twenty years to retirement, and she feels every minute.