Page 38 of Scar Tissue

As I walk through the main ballroom, there are a few stragglers who have arrived early that are sitting at what must be reserved tables while several other volunteers bustle toward the back, me close on their heels. I can’t help but admire the decor—it certainly will have the public deluded. Above the stage is a large projector screen that hasBeyond Boundariessplayed across the front, and the irony isn’t lost on me. The lighting, while low, isn’t completely dim. Soft blues and purples help to add to the ambiance. The tables are all circular with six to eight chairs around each and are covered in asimple white cloth. Bouquets are placed in the center surrounded by fake tea lights. There are glass bottled waters at each spot and I can’t help but wonder how much that cost alone.

I shake my head and just as I’m entering through the door I was directed to, someone else is exiting, and we crash into each other. “I am so sorry,” I immediately say while I make sure that nothing was knocked from their hands or spilled all over them. When I raise my eyes, my blood runs cold.

“That’s quite alright, dear. I tend to make habits of pushing through doors rather abruptly without assessing my surroundings. I fully accept the blame.” Harrison Clark is staring back at me and I realize he is cradling my elbows. I pull myself from his grasp and straighten out.

“I was admittedly distracted observing the decor. I’m volunteering for the event tonight.”

He smirks, his eyes dragging down my form before straightening his tie. “Ah, well we’re happy to have you…”

“Addison.” My answer is quick, abrupt. Hardly believable based off of the way he raises his eyebrow.

“Addison. That’s a pretty name for a pretty woman. I don’t want to keep you, though. I believe the girls are getting their instructions now. Find me later, would you?”In his dreams.

I dip my chin and walk around him, pushing through the door and coming face to face with about fifteen to twenty others as we stare at each other. “Sorry if I’m late, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting. I ran into the man himself out there.” Most of the women seem pleased with this answer since he just came from here, not needing me to elaborate on whothe manis. Over the next thirty minutes we’re given explicit directions as to serving, tips, etiquette, and breaks. We are each going to be assigned to a designated section and are only to interact with the crowd while serving drinks and food. We are allowed a ten minute break every hour and any tips that we might receive we are to hold onto until the end of the night where they will go into a bowl to be divided evenly amongst the workers. Ofcourse, I already know that it’s bullshit so when several gasps and scoffs are exchanged throughout the room, I don’t react.

“Any questions?”

One woman, particularly snarky I’ve noticed, complains more, then asks, “Why do we have to split our tips? Why is it our fault if one of us isn’t as good as another?”

The room suddenly falls into awkward silence and all eyes turn to her when another voice, not belonging to the coordinator, responds to her. “Because that doesn’t matter when tonight’s event is tailored toward helping the greater good. Unless, of course, you’re not here because you care about the children and only came to collect a paycheck out of your own greed knowing that the wealthy and elite would be sponsoring it.” His smile is calculated and the hypocrisy in his statement makes me sick. No wonder the public is so endeared to him—Harrison Clark is a master manipulator. “If you’d like to discuss this further, I’m sure we can have a conversation once the event concludes for the evening. Otherwise, it’s time to get in your places, ladies.” His eyes inspect each of us before they land on me again, lingering for longer than I’d like before he turns and exits the room once more. I have no doubt that if something happens with one of us tonight, he will be the first to hear about it. I remember what Claire said about everyone being in his pocket here tonight. I need to tread carefully.

We quickly review where we’re assigned before we’re ushered out of the kitchen with a tray that we’re to take to the bar to collect the champagne flutes that have been prepared. People are already mingling as they wait for the event to start, the room much fuller than it was when I initially entered. We line up along the bar and once we collect our champagne flutes we go to our designated places and begin serving the guests. As I walk past the men and women in my section, there is no conversation citing information that I might want to try to stick around for.

This isn’t going to do us any good if I can’t get closer to Clark’sinner circle. Unfortunately, I wasn’t assigned his area and I need to figure out a way to rectify that. I’m close but not close enough.

When I spot the server who is assigned to his area, I weigh the decision as to whether or not I want to sabotage her in order to take her spot. It doesn’t feel right, not when it could cost her a lot more than a payday, and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. Could I convince her to swap with me under the impression she’s been reassigned? It might work, but if it doesn’t thenIrisk the same fate.Or you could just ask if she’s willing to switch with you.It’s the simplest, less risky solution, but only if it works. When I see her heading back in the direction of the bar, I intercept her. “Hey, I have a question.”

She raises a skeptical, neatly-shaped brow at me. “Well, what is it?” Her tone is sharp and I realize that maybe this wasn’t the best course of action.

“Is there any way you’d be willing to switch sections with me?” I glance toward my own area over my shoulder. “I know someone in my section, and…well, I’d rather not risk running into them. It’s complicated and I really need to keep tonight uncomplicated, because—well, it doesn’t matter.”

She continues to scrutinize me with wary eyes. “What’s in it for me?”

“I’m willing to give you part of my split on the tips. Hell, I’ll give you all of it.” Once again, no skin off of my back since we’re not going to be keeping them anyway. But she doesn’t need to know that I know that.

“It means that much to you?” She lets her tray drop to her side as she places a hand on her hip.

I cast another hesitant glance back over my table to a random stranger to sell the illusion. “It really does.”

Silence hangs between us as she weighs her options. I have no doubts that the “tips” she’s receiving from Clark’s section are plentiful but I’m hoping the prospect of not only getting to earn her own and part of mine, too, is enough to convince her to agree. “Alright then. Hard to beat an offer like that.”

A sigh of relief leaves me. “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.” It’s a good thing I’m not lying, either. She really doesn’t know how much it means to me. I refuse to let anyone down by fumbling this opportunity. We each quickly refill our trays and bid each other farewell as we go to our new sections just as someone takes the stage and attempts to quiet the crowd. The woman is petite, standing several heads shorter than Harrison where he looms over her shoulder as he waits for her to introduce him. She must be his assistant, and I briefly wonder which one as she doesn’t appear to be afraid of him. Unless she’s in on it which wouldn’t be abnormal, especially if she’s paid well.

“On behalf ofBeyond BoundariesI’d like to say thank you for joining us here tonight.

This event, this turning point for our youth, would not be possible without your humble donations and support. The future is going to be bright with change as opportunities open up for those who are at risk, developing a path toward their futures. Now, without further ado, I’d like to introduce the man behind this project—please welcome Harrison Clark, founder and mayor.” A round of applause sounds as she takes several steps back from the microphone and he steps up to it, waiting for the noise to calm down again. It’s almost as if every person in the room can sense his ego as they all quiet down at once, with nothing but a look from him.

“It’s my honor to be here tonight and it’s been my privilege to spearhead this project. As most of you know, for the way it’s been marketed, it’s a charity that I hold close to my heart. But as such, I also prefer not to call it that because of what it means. Instead, I’d like us all to look at it as a revolution of sorts. This isn’t just about offering help to our at-risk youth, but also about forming the foundation for a future where they all have a chance to rise above their circumstances. To go beyond where they started. I want to create a program where these kids have access to education, job opportunities, therapy, housing, and more. If you can dream it, that’s what wewant to do.” He pauses as more applause sounds and for a second, I can’t help but see the vision—if it were true.

“But what’s more is that this isn’t just about their futures, it’s about ours, too, as a city.

These youtharethe future. We need to invest in them in order for us to prosper. This is about so much more than monetary needs. It’s about funding hope. The real work starts tonight, with each of you. With your support. So mingle, drink, eat, and enjoy the evening, on me. Thank you.”

God, the man is insufferable. It’s like the crowd was paid to feed into his ego with the moment of silence that follows before they erupt with cheers and more clapping. As he’s exiting the stage, I position myself in order to serve him as he steps off the last step. It’s not as though I want him to pay attention to me—having his gaze on me earlier was enough to make my skin crawl—but I need to make sure he drinks enough to start slipping like Claire said. “Addison, is it?” he says as he approaches me, reaching for a glass.

“It is, sir. That was a wonderful speech. It’s an amazing thing you’re doing.” The words weigh like lead in my stomach, over the reality of the implications of what he’s doing. How he’s fooling all of the people here into believing they are funding something noble.

He extends his arm, resting his hand on my lower back. “Ah, children are such a passion of mine. They’re so very special. Come along, I have a few colleagues who are in need of new refreshments.”