“The Routine” – Chapter I

Chapter I

Robert felt his hands shake nervously as he put the unmarked cd into the drive on his computer. It was given to him by his boss just a few hours ago after the meeting where they had wrapped up one of the biggest deals in the company’s history. And he had been a major contributor in making it happen, at least that was what his boss had said.

“Right now you are the biggest asset of our company,” he had said. “And this deal will make the company grow to unknown heights. That is why I have decided to give you this present. It is one of the highest guarded secrets known to man, and I am confident that you will use it wisely. We are very much alike you and I, and I am sure that you will enjoy the power that comes with this gift as much as I have.”

He had then handed Robert the unmarked cd and told him to take the rest of the week off. “You have deserved it.”

The last thing he had said before Robert left was that he was to make pretty damn sure he was alone when he put the ting in his computer, and that was why he was now sitting in his home office in the basement after checking that both his wife and his daughter was away. His wife of course at work, and his daughter at school. As he put the cd in, the drive started up and after a couple of seconds a video started to play on the screen. It was just a man, somewhere in his forties, giving him what seemed to be a knowing smile before starting to talk.

“Hello there,” the man on the computer said, and Robert turned up the volume a bit to make sure he heard everything. “You must be a very special person to see this, because only a few people are given the opportunity to know what you are about to learn from us. And that is just the way we like it and the way things are supposed to be. You are given this because one in our ranks have decided that you are to be trusted, and that is why I trust that you are well suited not to bring this secret on to others unless you are certain that they are just as trustworthy as you.”

Wow, thought Robert. This must be pretty special. His heart was racing and he had the computers undivided attention.

Ten minutes later he just sat there watching the screen in total disbelief. On the screen was just a single window saying “Install?” with two buttons. “Yes” and “Cancel”.