20:19, Apartment Complex, Zantos, Kalopia, MRSF.
A familiar knock geared Tomas’ attention towards the door. Unlike the reserved, light knocks of the landlord, this was stern and melodic, as though the person behind the door was attempting to initiate a signal. Tomas cautiously approached the door, yet his eyes geared onto an escape exit which stood to his immediate right. Initially, when the apartment was acquired, there stood a door separating Tomas and the neighbor to the right, for the building (prior to being converted into an apartment) was an office building and the landlord had not bothered to rearrange the structure of the building to fit the character of an apartment building. Instead he had encouraged the tenants to erect their own walls and boundaries, giving them nearly absolute autonomy when it pertained to the structure of their rooms. Tomas had collaborated with his neighbor to use the door, which had separated them, as a means of escaping his apartment in the event of a fire or a burglary. Through Tomas’ assistance in soundproofing the walls between them, the neighbor had agreed to the arrangement.
Although a risky move, Tomas looked through the peephole only to discover that it was Monica and Stacia whom had returned from their appointment at the clinic. Monica had been married to Tomas for around fifteen years now mainly due to an arranged married conducted by the Foreign Intelligence Service as a means of deepening the realism and authenticity of their non-official covers. Stacia was born to them fifteen years ago. Tomas promptly opened the door, allowing Monica to slip in with Stacia in tow. He locked the door behind them as they entered.
“I meet her teacher at the doctor’s office, she said that Stacia must be in attendance of the Vanguardist commemoration parade. So you could drop her off in front of the National Congress in Eleopolis.” Tomas stepped closer to Monica to whisper, “I don’t want her getting into that shit, and I made it clear to the centre that I am not going to let her be indoctrinated.” Monica in return whispered, “I know, but the office wants you to be in Eleopolis and observe a person of interest. They are supposed to send the codified text later today to outline the mission.” She concluded. Stacia made her way towards her bedroom, seeing that her parents were engaged in a conversation which she had no interest in. She had learnt over the years to subtract herself from the conversations her parent had. Monica made sure to accentuate this into Stacia until it became a natural instinct. “In the mean-time, the oven needs cleaning.” Monica said without an expressive change in emotion, walking off to the living room.
A combination of burnt cheese, grease and dropped pieces of food had formed an almost cement-like layer at the button of the oven. “Spy or not, this is just disgusting.” Tomas whispered to himself. “Next time you should just try microwaved food.” He shouted to Monica. Tomas chuckled at the fact that Monica did not respond, telling him immediately that she does not intend on switching to microwavable food. Tomas scrubbed away at the grime for roughly fifteen minutes with little to no progress, so he did as any other person, he gave up. He stood up, wiping his hands in a napkin. Unexpectedly the telephone rang. Tomas turned to answer it. “Mr. Zografos?” a familiar voice responded to his answer. “This is laundry, please come collect your suit at our outlet on Bonassa street.” the woman concluded. Tomas knew that it Ms. Procopiou was attempting to present a codified message. For a brief moment he ran through the message, forming it into actual meaning of Ms. Procopiou’s statement. “(Your handler will be would like to see you tomorrow on Bonassa street.)”. Tomas returned to the conversation, “Alright, thank you. I will be there around seven, in the morning that is.” Tomas concluded before hanging up the phone.
Tomas walked into the living room, dropping himself into the chair next to Monica. “They want me to meet with Aslak tomorrow, possibly to brief me on the person of interest.” He said rumbling the bridge of his nose. “I will drop Stacia off at the parade and talk with Aslak.” He continued before boosting himself off the chair. “I’m going to bed early, I want to wake up early tomorrow do to something.” He concluded before walking up the stairs to the bedroom.