Cindy stood petrified, in the middle of Lucien’s office.
This was one of those defining moments in life that test one’s mettle, and could quite possibly alter the direction and shape of one’s future.
Cindy did not move; it seemed as if she could not move. She was standing on the borderline between the wholesome girl she once was, and the hardened woman she was crystallizing into.
When she tried to take a step forward, it seemed as if she were a rubber band, snapped back into place. This was all wrong…yet…did she want to look back on her death bed with major regrets? Regrets about not grabbing the precious and few opportunities in life with both hands?
There is so much she could do with this money, she thought. There are so many people she could also help, so much grief that this money could alleviate in her hands.
If she did not take it, who would? A portion might be pocketed by unscrupulous cops? Surely the IRS would seize it, since this was unreported revenue.
Cindy went from being cold and shaking, to wiping her clammy hands on her hips. What ever she chose to do, she had better get a moving on.
She quickly scanned her options. She would need four large industrial trash bags, so as to double bag it, and a pair of cleaning gloves. To avoid the security cameras outside this office, she would throw the black bags down Lucien’s window, and make a hasty exit through the fire escape stairs. The alley bellow was even closer to her car anyway.
An invisible wall hindered her movement. A remnant of the girl she was brought up to be said that she would be selling her soul for that money - blood money. How many men had been broken by greed, by the need to consume, to acquire more and even more to fill a vortex that was never satiated for too long? How many marriages had been torn apart because if this money? It was just wrong to do so. She should simply walk away.
Another voice reasoned that she would not be the only one. This world was fucked up as it is. There were very prominent people with blood on their hands, who had never confronted enemy in battle themselves. Some chose to jeopardized the security of the family nucleus by massive downsizing their work force, only to appease share holders. Yes, the world is fucked up.
The jewels of wisdom, integrity, and honesty were obscured by the dizzying glitter of diamonds. Justice itself was myopic, and feeble in her judgement. Soiled and corrupted by man as she was, way too often. Such is the world now, this voice said. Darkness is in an everlasting dance with Goodness.
Rivulets of perspiration began to descend to the valley of her cleavage. Her hands were shaking, as if had consumed on overdose of Redbull, and taken inhaled a few lines of cocaine.
That thought galvanized her into action. She had on a few occasions seen Lucien do drugs with his friends. When the cops came and inspected this place, if they found drugs, she might be charged as an accomplice.
When Cindy decided to be thoroughly honest with her self, and to embrace her flaws and virtues, she was then able to make a decision….it was that easy.
.
