Setting the Stage

It’s 4:30 p.m. and Phoenix has had about all he can take from his boss today. As he gathers his belongings and gets ready to leave work, he fights the urge to go tell his boss to go jump in a lake, along with some various profanities. As Phoenix heads for the train station, his cell phone chirps to let him know he’s just received a text message. He opens it and a text message from a number that reads 0000000000 says: “The normal place at 6.” Phoenix is overcome with confusion, anger, and fear all at the same time. He knows who this message must be from. However, he threw away the phone he used to communicate with the shady Mr. Dobbs months ago, shortly after the last job he did for him. For a moment Phoenix ponders how the hell this guy got his personal cell phone number, and then realizes it’s a dumb thing to ponder. Dobbs had told him that he’s always watching him and always will be.

After boarding the train, Phoenix debates with himself on whether he should go to the normal coffee shop and wait for Mr. Dobbs, or just ignore the message and continue with his life as normal. The debate is relatively short. As Phoenix recalls some of the threats Mr. Dobbs made in the past, he quickly decides that ignoring him is probably not the best idea. “Next stop Madison and Wabash,” the announcer says over the intercom of the train. Phoenix gets up and waits at the door for the train to stop. He gets off, heads down the platform to the street below, and quickly makes his way to the coffee shop about halfway down the block. He looks at his watch and it is 5:50 p.m. “Good timing,” Phoenix thinks.