The Interview

Inside a fast moving train, Mr. Zero stood in front of a mirror. He gazed at his reflection that was clad in a pristine black suit, white shirt and a black necktie. His fairly well- built body stemmed from a pair of mintly polished shoes.

His hands trembled lightly. In them, was a small picture of his wife kneeling by a wheelchair on which his lame son sat.

A gentle knock was heard and the door slid open to the room opened. A man dressed in the same colors as Mr. Zero walked in and announced, "She is ready for you."

Mr. Zero nodded his head and

took in a deep breath before taking another look at himself in the mirror. And with that ritual done, he walked out of the room after the man.

After a short walk along the isle of the fast, yet smooth, moving train, the Man stopped at a room. He opened the door and beckoned, with a nod, to Mr. Zero to enter.

Mr. Zero entered the room and the door was closed behind.

Two men wearing black suits stood in either corner of the room. Their faces were masked with seriousness and tip- top concentration. And, between them, sat Alexis behind a shiny table whose only occupant was small a khaki box. Although she was all dressed up in black, and with a pinch of seriousness on her face as the two men, her beauty dazzled in the room.

Mr. Zero unbutton his jacket and sat in front of Alexis.

"Do you know Wayne Wright?" Alexis asked.

Mr. Zero shook his head gently, "No."

"What do you know about the program?" Another question flew out of Alexis' mouth.

Mr. Zero kept his gaze at Alexis, "Nothing."

"Have you seen or heard anything around here?" Alexis further probed.

Mr. Zero responded calmly, "No."

"The Office of the President and The Program wishes to express it's profound gratitude to you for the service you rendered to the country," Alexis remarked. "As you know, the Republican President was assassinated under our watch yesterday. It is thus standard protocol that the Program be dissolved in readiness for investigations and another team who will serve the new President."

Mr. Zero nodded and commented, "I understand."

"With effect immediately, You cease to be identified by your birth name - Wayne Wright. You shall be called Mr. Zero," Alexis sternly weighed in. "You are to cut ties with your past. You are not expected to keep in touch with your wife and step son. As far as they are concerned, you are dead. And, I will see to it that they are advised accordly."

Alexis allows a moment of silence. She carefully scanned Mr. Zero's facial expression. But he maintained a calm countenance.

"The Program will pay $1.3m into your account. $2.2m will be wired to your wife's account as per agreement. And, you'll be paid $7, 000 monthly by the Office of the President as your severance package until you die," Alexi broke the news before pushing the small box to Mr. Zero. "In there are your death details, computation of the total package going to you and your family. Inclosed therein also is your new identity, contact details and passport."

Mr. Zero blinked a couple of times. A tear escaped his welling eyes. "May I at least see them? Even from a distance?"

"No," Alexis replied sharply.

"Listen," Mr. Zero took in a deep breath and pleaded. "I have a son. He's a special boy. Differently able-bodied. I've a wife. She's been there for me on rainy days. May at least see them one last time. Even from afar."

"No. You consented to these terms of service," Alexis was quick to remind him. "Need I not remind you that the Program gave you a life, livelihood and refuge. Don't jeopardise the mission. Or I'll drag you to hell myself."

Mr. Zero sunk back in his chair. His gaze squarely rested on Alexis who was not shy to reciprocate.

Sweat stood on his brow. Desperation was fast taking the better of him. He was treading on thin ice. Thus, he camouflage behind an inquiry that rang out with a horse tone, "So, what happens to you guys?"

Alexis' mouth curved and a briefly smile ensued before sterness gripped her face again like a demon possessed soul. She replied, "Well, let's just say that you and I are fugitives now. We run from our own shadows. We died the moment we penned our signatures on the contract with the program."

Mr. Zero bobbed his head gently.

"Any more questions?" Alexis wondered.

Mr. Zero shook his head and made reply, "No."

"Right," She commented softly. "Ths next stop is yours. The team will escort you to a secured air strip. A plane will jet you to the beautiful Lower Zambezi, In Zambia, where you'll spend your retirement."

The train honked aloud. It's tyres screeched as the locomotive was brought to a halt at a secret train station.

Mr. Zero stood up and made his way to the exit. He had nothing on him save the little khaki box Alexis had given.

Stepping out of the train, an unregistered black SUV was parked a few meters away from the locomotive. Mr. Zero motioned towards the vehicle and the back door swung open.

No sooner than Mr. Zero got into the SUV than the ignition was turned on and the black beast vibrated with life. It drove away.

Back in the train, Alexis' fingers danced on the phone's dialler and she glued it to her ear. A tiny moment later, she spoke into the phone, "The exit interview was completed. Make sure you keep a tab on Mr. Zero. If he deviates from the plan kill him and initiate 'Operation Mrs. Zero.'"

Alexis ended the call and placed the phone on the table. She fetched a cigarette from the table drawer and light it up. And after indulging in a big puff, she spoke to herself, "I have a bad feeling about Zero. He may fuck this up."

The train resumed moving slowly until it was charging at full speed again.