4.m.
It was by
sheer luck and frustrated brutality that the optical verification unit of the
retinal scanner triggered a positive identification. Corporate Man, after repeated attempts to
convince the bossman on the need to divulge the information that would grant
the Union access to the secret entranceway, slammed the bossman into the
column, pinning the wounded and wincing man’s arm to his back. When the racking pain subsided and the
bossman opened his eyes to glare defiantly at his attacker, the roaming lasers
of the scanner passed over his iris and verified his executive position with
Incorporate Business Corporation Incorporated.
A strip of
glowing blue letters appeared on the column.
OPTICAL VERFICATION COMPLETE.
A moment later
another set of words appeared.
PLEASE SUBMIT TO HAND PRINT IDENTIFICATION.
The bossman
tried to pull his hands close to his chest, hoping that his captors might
forget that he also possessed executive level palms but Corporate Man had no
trouble arresting control of the bossman’s forearms and forcing the North Side
Branch manager’s hand against the glass.
HAND PRINT INDENTIFICATION COMPLETE.
There was a
hissing sound, much like one hears when unscrewing a gas cap on a car that’s
been run below the empty line. An
outline of blue light appeared in the black column as a door shaped panel
pushed away from the structure and swung open revealing a set of eerily
illuminated stairs.