CHAPTER SIX ⚜ THE SEVENTH FLOOR (PART II)

[Illustration 11] In the centre of the seventh-floor lobby, Ryan accepts the brass token from the elevator boy’s bare, shadow-black hand. Their fingers touch briefly; the young man’s other hand remains covered by a spotless white glove. In the distance, the faceless receptionist waits behind the desk while every pair of hollow eyes upon the dome watches from above. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr4Ce6wRoj

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The voice in the receiver rose sharply.

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“Mr. Glenz, would you like to extend your stay ?”

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Ryan turned around. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAkM3lv7Th

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The faceless receptionist remained perfectly still, holding the receiver out. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR3FoQwBEF

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The dome, the walls, and every reflection in the polished floor waited for his answer. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrGfEuPbVl

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Ryan's fist closed around the brass token. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SBG5sJiU0

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The dark red woman's shoe. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHhmgDmd9b

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The portraits on the sixth floor. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSSaE532SV

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The guests lifting empty forks to their mouths. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfU3PlO7pW

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The little girl clutching her worn teddy bear. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QYIGLPhhJ

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And the painting bearing his name, the face in it growing clearer by the hour. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh71zuJME9

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Every image flashed through his mind.

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“No.” 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVllCc5i96

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His voice was not loud. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPj7X4abxp

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But there was no hesitation, no pause in it. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1kxPC6xTa

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The faceless receptionist went rigid. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcynBsFXdol

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On the dome, the angels stopped turning. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wKz96TJvh

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A piercing engaged tone came out of the receiver. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimomG43xU8

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With a sharp click, a narrow slot sprang open on the right side of the black telephone. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR4jENM5eD

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Ryan pushed the token inside. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ1p5WAA7S

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The telephone swallowed the coin.

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And  a second later— 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTx250WaVq

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BRRRRING—! 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsFgV1MMbx

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The sound came from Ryan's pocket. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG9a2Py6U7

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He looked down sharply. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeXiMNA5Uy

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The mobile phone that had not been there with him was now vibrating through the fabric of his pants. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMNuLpOnwG

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No caller’s name. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3pMgV7fMB

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Only a field of blinding white light. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ArA0bEtlw

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“Answer it,” the elevator boy said.

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Ryan pulled out the phone. His thumb hovered above the answer button. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWDBlYMsOr

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But he did not press it. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C3s1vriIC

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“What about you?”

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“Someone has to operate the elevator.”

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“You can't come with me?”

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“The call is for you.”

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Behind him, the brass gate began to close.

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Ryan suddenly looked up to meet with the elevator boy’s gaze.

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“Your name.”

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The elevator boy looked at him in silence.

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“Now?”

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“Yes. Now.”

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“This does not seem like a suitable occasion for exchanging names.”

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“Isn't it because nobody remembers them that people here lose their faces?”

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The gate was already halfway closed.

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Ryan met his gaze through the crossing strips of brass.

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“I needed to know who I'm supposed to remember.”

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The elevator boy fell silent.

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For one long moment, Ryan thought he would refuse to answer.

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“Julien Moreau”

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He spoke the name softly.

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“Julien Moreau.” Ryan repeated it once inside his head.

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Not a single syllable left out.

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Julien stepped backwards into the elevator. Beneath the brim of his cap, his face disappeared once more into shifting light and shadow. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLwY8DDyya

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Only his eyes remained fixed upon Ryan. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCzT4tKIrc

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“Go, Mr. Glenz .” 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXcb2QA4Ha

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“Will we see each other again?” 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnGFepLxOI

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Julien did not answer. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjdqrZlTok

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“Please remember to put your shoes on properly… Ryan .”

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The brass gate closed completely. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXAuGCqPjQ

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The elevator began to descend. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgkraUMcZJ

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Ryan looked down at the phone still buzzing in his hand. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg3PjShWNQ

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Before the seventh ring could end, he pressed the answer button. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo113k4eW0b

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