“…So you take that to start with. …” Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, page 312
“So you take that to start with. I’ll get you the rest once I’ve had you accomplish this task.” His eyes were taking in her every movement as he spoke and handed it to her. They raked up and down her body as if he was debating whether or not he would regret this decision.
“Here is the address. You must be there tomorrow at noon exactly. Any earlier or later will result in failure,” he continued. This all came written down on the paper he handed her. His voice stayed monotone and detached from what he was saying, as if to give nothing was. He could tell she was very nervous from being told such a specific time.
Nonetheless, he proceeded. “There will be another young man, dressed in a grey suit as I and, arriving at the same time as you. You will not stop, but continue walking in the same direction as him. He will give you your next instructions upon arriving at your next destination. Do exactly as he says.” This man looked her in the eye and saw not only nervousness and fear this time, but confidence as well. He hoped that the fear would keep her confidence in check so she didn’t end up being cocky like the last one that failed.
“You are dismissed,” he finally said quite curtly. She spun on her heels and briskly walked away. He watched as she left, getting one more chance to memorize her, on the chance that he won’t see her again. He liked this one.
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“So you take that to start with. I’ll get you the rest once I’ve had you accomplish this task.” She could feel his eyes dragging up and down her body as he finished speaking she took it from him. Knowing they were taking everything in and he was judging her, she tried to remain as neutral as possible.
“Here is the address. You must be there tomorrow at noon exactly. Any earlier or later will result in failure,” he continued. She took the paper it was all written down on hesitantly. She attempted to discern anything about what she would be ding but his voice stayed monotone and seemingly emotionless. Such a specific time irked her, and made her quite nervous, but she tried to hide that as he proceeded.
“There will be another young man, dressed in a grey suit as I and, arriving at the same time as you. You will not stop, but continue walking in the same direction as him. He will give you your next instructions upon arriving at your next destination. Do exactly as he says.” She couldn’t look away once he caught her gaze, even though she knew what he would see. So she did her best to mask her excitement with her fear and with false confidence. She thinks he bought it.
“You are dismissed,” he finally said with what seemed like enough abruptness to slap her. She knew she had to leave immediately or she would do something that would cause her trouble. She spun on her heels and left as quickly as she could without running. She could feel his eyes boring into her as she went and got a very uncomfortable feeling from it.