The Significant by Kyra Anderson Page A

put
up with the examination if she wanted to work as a Significant, but it went
against all her self-preservation instincts.
           “You’re good-looking enough that you
could get a lot of partnerships.”
           “What are those?”
           “It’s where the same client wants you
several times,” Mysty explained. “They pay more money to have a scheduled time
with you every week or every month. You get more money, basically. But that’s
only if clients like you enough and have enough money to bid for a time slot.”
           Kailynn could only blink in surprise and
confusion. There was a part of her that was sickened at the thought of having
to see the same person multiple times as a Significant, constantly having to
act as though they were close with the client and pretend to be whoever, or
whatever, they wanted.
           “Mysty, you better be telling the truth,”
a voice said at the back of the room, walking to them. “Who’s here to talk to
me?”
           Kailynn looked over the man. He was
older, his hair greying and his skin lightly creased with wrinkles around his
eyes. He was not particularly tall, but he had burly shoulders that made him
seem bigger.
           Mysty pointed at Kailynn and his blue
eyes turned to her.
           “Who are you?”
           “My name is Jacyleen,” Kailynn started,
“I want to apply as a Significant.”
           “There’s an application through our
page,” he said, confused. “You should have filled one out.”
           “I didn’t have time,” Kailynn said
hurriedly. “Look, I’m in hard times, and I want to work here. So, I’m applying
in person.”
           “While that’s a cute trick, you can’t
just—”
           A gentle chime sounded and the door
opened as an older woman walked in, dressed in rich Anon clothes with her
makeup painted heavily over her skin.
           Jak groaned and grabbed Kailynn’s arm,
pulling her away as the Significants in the greeting salon went forward to
greet the customer.
           Jak pulled Kailynn to the elevator around
the corner and punched a button, waiting for the door to close before turning
to Kailynn.
           “We’ll discuss this in my office.”
           It was a very short ride in the elevator
to Jak’s office, which was a glass room that was just as dim as the rest of the
building. There was something about the dark coverings on the walls and floor
that made Kailynn feel like she could hardly see.
           Jak closed the door behind her and sighed
heavily, walking to his desk.
           “Look, I understand that you are in hard
times and you want to apply for a job here, but there is a procedure, okay? You
need to fill out the application and then come in for the interview.”
           “Well, I’m here for the interview,”
Kailynn said strongly. “I need this job, and I’m willing to work twice as hard
as everyone else. I’m good-looking, young, and I can handle anything the
customers throw at me.”
           “I am impressed that you are able to keep
eye contact,” Jak said, nodding. “Most applicants can barely form a sentence
and keep their eyes down the whole time.”
           “I’m not like the other applicants,”
Kailynn said. “I’m a quick learner, and I already know how to talk to people.”
Kailynn leaned across his desk and looked at him seriously. “I promise, I will
earn my keep and more.”
           Jak looked her over, heaving a sigh and
motioning with his hand.
           “Stand in the middle of the room.”
           Masking her nervousness, she did as he
ordered.
           He leaned against the front of his desk
and looked her over. “Take off the jacket.”
           Again, she did as she was told.
           “Okay,” he started, nodding. “You’re
thin, but that can be fixed. In that time, I’m sure you’ll fill out