Inheritance

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The scent of rain. The constant drizzle here in the city sure made me glad I'd forked out the dough to replace the VPU implant behind my left eye, and that this one was neat enough to be completely covered by my hoodie. We have it all worked out, Viper and I. He remotely hacks into the bank's database, corrupts some figures, and lumps them all together in a nice little bundle of joy for us. But sending it to another account would just be something to trace, so it's better for him to make an ATM spit it out. That's where I come in. As I lean against the wall beside the ATM at the back of the third bank we'd hit that night, a strange uneasiness creeps up on me. It's... - [[...definitely that last taco I ate on the way here.|01tacos]] - [[...probably nothing to worry about.|01nothing]] - [[...just my conscience kicking in.|01conscience][$AboutDave = "true"]] - [[...a psychic premonition.|01psychic]]

My stomach churns and growls, confirming my suspicion. - [[I doubt my ability to stay "focused" for the next hour. Call it off.|02leave][$msg02leave = "It was those darn tacos."]] - [[I just gotta do what I gotta do.|02stay][$msg02stay = "I pull out a bottle of Ginger beer and slurp it down. It was warm and had gone flat, but ginger is ginger, and from past experience, it will work like a charm to settle my stomach."]]

It's probably nothing. I'm sure it's nothing. - [[Actually, it's not nothing. I want to leave.|02leave][$msg02leave = "I don't know. I just... I have a bad feeling."]] - [[It's nothing.|02stay][$msg02stay = "I must just be bored. Or I'm fritzing out."]]

The kids would say I'm getting old, getting sentimental. My brother's a bigwig banker here and every so often I wonder whether he'd lose his job if we skimmed so much dough that the branch would have to shut down. But then, I remind myself that these banks have insurance, and that they'd end up just being financially stronger if we ripped them off. I think more about my brother. I think about how much of an asshole he is, manipulating me out of the will before our parents died. - [[Fuck him, and his insurance, being near this bank makes me sick|02leave][$msg02leave = "This is the bank where my brother works. He's an asshole and I don't want him riding on the insurance claim while we hope we don't leave a trace."]]. - [[Maybe I should cut him in on the deal- AFTER tonight|02stay][$msg02stay = "I'll tell my brother about what we do later. Maybe that corrupt selfish bastard will take pity on his poor little sister while he makes his own money back with zero effort."]].

Are you kidding me? Well, I guess I don't know that I'm not psychic. I'm known to have been right about bad feelings before, and this is as good a reason as any to tell Viper that I want out. - [[And telling Viper that we're done for the night is exactly what I want to do.|02leave][$msg02leave = "I don't know if I've ever told you this before, but... I'm psychic, and I just had a really bad premonition about this hit."]] - [[But I don't want out. It's just as likely that I'm freaking out over nothing.|02stay][$msg02stay = "Me, psychic? Yeah right. No matter how many premonitions I've had, I've had just as many fears that have never come true."]]

Time to pull the plug on this. <<display calling>> "Dare, what is it?" "I can't do it, man," "What do you mean, 'can't do it'? Why?" "<<print $msg02leave>>" "You're kidding me. I've already started the injection." "Well, pull out." - [[Beg him.|03beg][$msg03forget = "You know what? You're right."]] - [[Command him.|03call]] "Forget it, then. - [[Guilt him.|03guilt][$msg03forget = "You know what? You're right."]] - [[Give in to him.|03call][$msg03forget = "Forget it, then."]]

I shake off the unease, launching a thousand droplets of condensed drizzle into the air around me. <<if ndef $nonews>><<print $msg02stay>> - [[I wait besides the ATM for Viper's call.|03call][$nonews = "true"]]<<else>> I can't just wait here. I gotta do something while I wait. <</if>> - [[I pace up the street- I have some time.|04street]] - [[I take a look at the ATM.|04lookatm][$msg04atm = "atm"]] - [[I try to look in the after-hours deposit window.|04lookatm][$msg04atm = "deposit window"]]

"Well, pull out." "Christ, Dare. Are you begging me? I told you- save it for the bedroom." "Don't joke about this. I really-- I really need you to pull out." The line went silent for a few seconds. Viper groaned and sighed. "Fine. I just hope you know this puts us at higher risk, backing out like this." - [["You know what? You're right."|03call][$msg03forget = "You know what? You're right."]] - [["What do I need to do on my end?"|03call][$pullout = "true"]]

"Forget it, then." The line went silent for a few seconds. Viper groaned and sighed. "Fine. I just hope you know this puts us at higher risk, backing out like this." - [["You know what? You're right."|03call][$msg03forget = "You know what? You're right."]] - [["What do I need to do on my end?"|03call][$pullout = "true"]]

<<if ndef $nonews>><<if $pullout eq "true">>"What do I need to do on my end?" "Just wait. I... I need to focus on this." <<else>><<if ndef $msg03forget>>"Well, pull out." "Yeah, no. I'm not doing that. It's too high risk at this point." "Don't make me back out of this." "Don't make me rat you out. You told me this is your brother's bank, right?" "Viper..."<<else>>"<<print $msg03forget>>"<</if>> "That's my girl. Nothing to worry about. Ready for me to trigger phase 2? I'll disconnect and call you when it's done, remember?"<</if>> <<print $disconnect>> <</if>>I just have to wait it out. It shouldn't take long. Well, it shouldn't take long if nothing's gone wrong. <<display 02stay>>

I can't just stand still. I walk towards the end of the street, where it hits the main road. I hear voices. - [[Try to peek around the corner|05peek][$msg04street = "I pulled back, afraid he'd see me."]] - [[Walk out onto the street entirely|06walk]] - [[Stay where I am, listening|05listen][$msg04street = "I knew he couldn't see me."]]

The ATM flickers into life as I get near it. "Shit." My brother's face is smiling back at me. The disgusting, slimy serpent. I'd heard they were going to install AI helpdesks in ATMs. I just didn't expect it to be this little branch out in the middle of nowhere, and I didn't expect it to be my brother. "Thank you for choosing to use our Automated Teller Service. I'm Dave, the Branch Manager. How can I help you today?" <<if ndef $AboutDave>> I'd forgotten that this is his bank. <</if>> - [[I need to tell Viper about this.|05tellViper]] - [[It's just a recording. Maybe I can have some fun with it|05Fun]].

<<display calling>> "Dare?" "I was just checking out the <<print $msg04atm>>, and my brother's slimy face is talking to me." "What do you mean?" "I mean, he's got a gross video of himself on here, or something. His eyes are following me. It's mega creepy. I don't like it at all." "Calm down, its nothing. At least you know about it and it won't surprise you when we get the money out."<<if ndef $AboutDave>> "This is the bank where my brother works as Manager. He's an asshole and I don't want him riding on the insurance claim while we hope we don't leave a trace." "Seriously Dare, its not that surprising."<</if>> "Viper, I'm out." - [[Be apologetic.|08back][$msg05ViperOut = "sorry"]] - [[Hang up on him.|08run][$msg05ViperOut = "Viper, I'm out."]] "Yeah, I guess you're right." - [[Be resigned.|08back][$msg05ViperOut = "resigned"]] - [[Be hesitant.|08back][$msg05ViperOut = "hesitant"]]

"Well hi there, Dave." I walk side to side, watching the depiction of my brother's cold eyes feigning hospitality while they follow me. An optical illusion, but creepy nontheless. "Hello, is this the first time you have used one of our automated teller machines?" "Yes Dave, it is." "Let me be the first to congratulate you and welcome you to one of the services that allows us to really stand out and give you the best service we can. Simply talk to me as you would if we were speaking face to face." "Well, Dave, I'm not sure if you'll like what I have to say." The face flickered a little, before retuning a response. "I'm sure I'll be able to help you." "Okay then, how do I put this- you screwed me over, and I want my money." "Please step closer, where I can see you. Our system will use your retinal scan to search for you in the database." I wouldn't be on the system. I'm not on any system these days. Black market retinal implants tend to do that. I step closer to the ATM. My brother's face smiles gently and nods. I wait. My brother's face looks mildly sad. "I'm sorry... the light must not be good. I couldn't recognise your retinal scan. However, we have taken a facial scan and have put a request in for you ... Miss White." Shit. I step away instinctively... - [[...and call Viper. He'll know what to do.|07scan][$name = "Miss White, "]] - [[...and run. I'll call Viper when I'm the hell out of here.|08run]] - [[...but step back, and pretend it was a coincidence.|08back][$name = "Sarah"]]

<<display calling>> "Just hold on Dare- I'm executing the last command. We'll be out in a minute." <<if ndef $pullout>>"I see you're making a withdrawal, but I'm not sure this money is yours." My brother's voice pipes out of the ATM. "Dare? Who is that?" "This is what I was going to tell you about." "Please, <<print $name>>I need to verify your identity<<if ndef $pullout>> and confirm that this transaction is intended for you<</if>>."<</if>> "It seems like they have some next-level two-phase visual recognition software that's setup client-side on the machine's end. It didn't matter that my retinas are unscannable. I... I'm not sure you can bypass this on your end, Viper." "Wait. Did it recognise you?" "Yes." "Shit.<<if $pullout eq "true">> Your instincts were right; good thing I didn't go ahead with the request.<</if>> Sounds like this bank's gonna be a no-go until we figure this out. Or until we can get someone who can trick the machine." "Are you... dumping me?" "Maybe only from this bank." "I have no problem with that. For now, what should I do?" "Get out of there. I'll <<if $pullout eq "true">>finish up<<else>>pull out<</if>> and hopefully the whole thing will just... time out. Call when you're safe." <<print $disconnect>> He's right. No use hanging around. - [[Get the hell out of here as fast as I can.|08run]] - [[No use running. That'll only draw attention to yourself if anyone is actually around.|06walk]]

I twist the dial installed on my tragus. "Viper." The mic on my inner wrist recieves the instruction, and the implant behind my ear stimulates my auditory cortex. **Calling... Viper; please wait,** says the voice inside my head. I wait. **Viper is connected.**

Ellen Jurik

<<if $msg05ViperOut eq "run">>"Viper, I'm out." I hang up on him. Fuck him! <</if>>No way I'm staying here. <<if def $name>> If they can recognise my face, alarms will fire. I'm no longer offline, presumed dead.<</if>> I back up and run down the street<<if def $name>>, turning away from the bank on the corner as I hit the main street<</if>>. I just want to get out of here. Unfortunately, life has different plans to the ones we make. "Sarah?" <<if def $name>> Shit. It's my brother. The only other person who would call me by my birth name are my parents... and they're dead.<</if>> I hear footsteps pounding after me, splashing everywhere. Gaining on me. Before I know it, there are hands on my shoulders, pulling me back. I don't want to slip over in this rain, so I have no chance but to stop. I turn around. <<display 08stay>>

<<if def $msg05ViperOut>><<if $msg05ViperOut eq "hesitant">>"Yeah, I guess you're right." "Look, I know you're worried. But don't worry. <<elseif $msg05ViperOut eq "resigned">>"Yeah, I guess you're right." "That's my girl. <<elseif $msg05ViperOut eq "sorry">>"Viper, I'm out." "Dare, no! Don't do this to me. <</if>>Just stay there. I'll make it quick. I'll call you back." <<print $disconnect>> <</if>>I step back from the ATM. I've just got to wait for Viper's call like a good girl. But, <<display 04street>>

Made in Twine 2 using Sugarcube. January 2017.

I'm glad I got the visual upgrade now. But I don't need an image analysis to know what I'm looking at. <<display 07seen>>

I hear two, maybe three men. Pity I didn't have that auditory upgrade I was hoping for. "We're here, Mr White." ...White is my surname. This is my brother's bank. I want it to be a conicidence. "I know where we are." A sick feeling overwhelms me. I know that voice anywhere. It's him. - [[Try to take a peek.|05peek]] - [[Run for it.|08run]]

Who cares who is out on the main street? As long as I'm as far away from here as possible. Well, unless I run straight into my brother. <<display 07seen>>

"Dave." He waves the two men away. Reluctantly they nod and step back, out of quiet earshot, but still within sight. He steps closer to me, looking me up and down. "Sarah, I'm glad to see... well, you're doing okay." "Okay?" - [[I take "okay" as an insult, and spit it back in his face.|09okay][$msg09okay = "Hey- I never said you're going well. I'm not blind. But you're... well, alive."]] - [[I'm not sure how to take this overall... If he's going to be nice, then, "okay?"|09okay][$msg09okay = "Yeah. You're my sister. I was worried you were dead."]]

"Okay?" "<<print $msg09okay>>" Why on earth wouldn't he want me dead? "You didn't make it easy for me, I'll tell you that much." "What?" "Taking all the inheritance and then cutting me off. That was a real jerk move." "Oh, Sarah..." One of the muscles clears his throat. "Sarah, you don't understand. The inheritance was... well," he inhales, preparing himself to break my heart. "It was a lot of debt to a lot of people. By cutting you out, I absorbed it all. This bank... well, the big boss owns me. I can take that myself, but I die when I think what he might do to my little sister." I looked back at the muscle. I realised that they were watching him, not me. "Dave, I..." - [[...don't believe you.|10end][$msg10end = "Dave, I don't believe you."]] - [[...didn't know.|10end][$msg10end = "Dave, I didn't know. I'm sorry."]] - [[...don't know what to say.|10end][$msg10end = "Dave, I don't know what to say."]]

Fuck. My shithead brother's standing there, flanked by two stupid looking musclemen doing a poor impression of being bankers. He's looking right at me. "Sarah, I've been looking for you. These past three years, I've been looking for you." Shit on a stick. - [[Run|08run][$name = "Sarah"]] - [[Stay and be civil|08stay]]

"<<print $msg10end>>" "It doesn't matter now." "Mr White, we're going to have to request that you come with us now." "There's nothing you can do, Sarah. I'm paying off the last of the debt today. I'm just glad I saw you this one last time." He reached over and hugged me. "No, Dave, no... when you get out, come find me. Come find us. Ask for me- ask for Dare. Or ask for Viper. Tell them... blood is thicker than coolant." He laughed in my ear at my bad joke. I hoped it would make it memorable for him, and for anyone who I passed the message onto. "Mr White." "I have to go now, Sarah." He squeezed my shoulders one last time. Then I watched as he walked back up the street, paused at the door of the bank to look back one last time, and disappeared inside.

**Viper has disconnected.**