“The Barnes is a private residence,” the droid said. “If you are having a medical emergency, please proceed to the nearest emergency room.”
“I need to come inside to inspect the roof,” he tried.
“I will check the schedule for repair persons,” the droid said, blinking its eye sensors once. “There is no appointment for a roof repair person.”
“Like I said, it’s an emergency call,” Khall lied, wishing he could dropkick the bucket of bolts.
“One moment, please,” the droid said.
A woman in dark sunglasses carrying a tiny dragonette in a flashy pink purse slipped out the doors.
Khall stuck his foot in them and rushed in.
“Sir, The Barnes is a private residence,” the droid cried, a siren going on its head. “You may not enter without the express permission of a resident.”
The elevators all went still, and red lights flashed.
“Please,” Khall begged, at the end of his rope.
“Is that Khall Rivvor?” the woman with the little lizard asked, lowering her sunglasses to study him.
Romulon and Remon…
He was staring into the exquisite bone structure of holo-picture star Casee Curadee.
She was very short up close, and she smelled a lot more like lalla-fleur perfume and dragonette food than he would have expected, but it was clear who he was talking to.
“What’s going on here?” another resident asked, coming out of one of the first-floor doors.
“He has to get upstairs,” Casee Curadee said in a sharp nasally voice that was very different from her signature onscreen purr.
“Oh, so someone from the precious Celestial needs help?” the other woman asked in a snide voice. “You know they wouldn’t take me there because I’m in show business.”
“Me either,” Casee said, shrugging her perfect shoulders. “But this guy hardly counts as a snob. He’s famous for that naked calendar shoot. Must have taken those pics after you moved in, eh, buddy?”
“Khall Rivvor?” the other woman asked, her eyes suddenly sparkling, though whether it was with lust or laughter or both, he couldn’t say.
“Please, one of you needs to tell the droid that I’m your guest,” he begged. “I’ll do anything.”
“Recreate that calendar picture for our monthly newsletter?” Casee suggested immediately.
He felt like she had come up with the idea way too fast, but he nodded and offered her his hand.
She shook it once, her grip impressive for such a tiny person.
“He’s with me,” she yelled to the droid.
Instantly the flashing lights went out and the elevators all opened up.
“Thank you,” he yelled, bolting for the first set of open doors.
“Wait, we need to exchange contact info so I can book your shoot,” she yelled after him. “We had a deal, Rivvor!”
But the elevator doors were closing behind him and the thing was lifting as fast as a chute.
Say what you would about the so-called new money buildings. Their celebrity residents weren’t opposed to big capital contributions. This place probably ran like a multi-craft.
In a matter of seconds, he arrived on the top floor. Unlike The Celestial, The Barnes had several units on the top floor that it deemed penthouses. It was probably a smart financial move since it meant that instead of one massively higher monthly ration, they could charge four of them.