[EVENING – THE CURATOR'S VAULT]
Blind Ivan was hyperventilating.
He paced back and forth behind the counter.
"They're coming," Ivan whispered. "The High Council. Tonight."
Noah was sweeping the floor. He paused.
"The Council?" Noah asked. "Like... the City Council? For the zoning permits?"
Ivan wiped sweat from his eyepatch.
"Worse. The ones who decide if we stay in business... or if we get liquidated."
Noah gasped.
Liquidated? That means bankruptcy! Poor Mr. Smith!
"Don't worry, Sir!" Noah saluted with his broom. "I'll make sure the shop is perfect. I'll clean everything! I won't let them shut us down!"
Ivan looked at Noah. The boy was eager. Too eager.
"Just... stand there," Ivan ordered. "Don't speak unless spoken to. And for god's sake, don't break their necks."
"I would never break a Safety Inspector's neck!" Noah promised. "That's illegal!"
[THE ARRIVAL]
At 9:00 PM, a black limousine pulled up.
Three men stepped out.
Viper: A man in a green silk suit with snake tattoos on his face. (Leader of the Poison Ring).
The Butcher: A massive man wearing a trench coat that smelled of raw meat. (Leader of the Disposal Unit).
Madame Rose: An elegant woman with a fan made of steel blades. (Leader of the Spies).
They entered the dusty shop. The air turned cold.
Ivan bowed low. "Welcome, Lords."
Viper sneered. "Cut the crap, Ivan. We heard rumors. You found a 'Heavy Lifter'. A weapon."
Ivan pointed a trembling hand toward the back.
"He is cleaning the inventory."
[THE INSPECTION]
The three Crime Lords walked into the back room.
Noah was there. He was furiously scrubbing a rust spot off a Decommissioned Naval Mine.
(Noah thought it was a very round, spiky vase).
"Excuse me!" Noah chirped, not looking up. "Wet floor! Safety first!"
The Butcher narrowed his eyes.
"This is the GUY?" Butcher grunted. "He looks like a twig."
Noah stood up. He was holding the Naval Mine under one arm like a basketball so he could mop under it.
The Naval Mine weighed 400 pounds.
The Crime Lords froze.
"He's... holding the 'Widow-Maker'..." Viper whispered. "With one arm."
Noah turned around. He saw the three intense-looking people.
They look strict, Noah thought. The guy in the coat looks like he checks sanitation grades.
"Hello!" Noah bowed (while still holding the mine). "Welcome to the Vault! We are 100% compliant with all safety regulations!"
Madame Rose stepped forward. She snapped her fan open. Schwing.
"Safety?" she purred. "Let's test that."
She threw a dagger at Noah's head.
[THE TEST]
Noah saw something fly at him.
A bug!
"Whoa!" Noah yelped.
He swatted the air with his mop handle to kill the bug.
CLANG.
The mop handle deflected the dagger perfectly. The dagger spun in the air and embedded itself into the wall, right next to Viper's ear.
Noah blinked.
"Oh no! Did I break it?" Noah asked, looking at the dagger. "I'm so sorry! I was trying to get a fly!"
The Crime Lords stared at the dagger vibrating in the wall.
He deflected a supersonic blade... with a mop.
And he aimed the deflection to warn Viper.
"He... he missed me on purpose," Viper choked out, touching his ear. "A warning shot."
Noah put the Naval Mine down (gently).
"Are you guys gonna write us up?" Noah asked worriedly. "I promise, usually there are no flying objects here. It's a very calm environment."
[THE INTERVIEW]
The Butcher stepped forward. He towered over Noah.
"Boy," Butcher growled. "What is your specialty?"
Noah thought. Specialty? Like... lifting?
"Moving heavy things," Noah said. "And keeping my mouth shut."
The Butcher grinned. A terrifying sight.
"Good. And if someone gets in your way?"
"I move them," Noah said simply. "Gently, if possible. But firmly."
(Referring to the hijacker he put on the grass).
The Crime Lords exchanged glances.
Heavy lifting.
Silence.
Firm removal.
"He is perfect," Madame Rose whispered. "A cleaner."
[THE VERDICT]
Viper turned to Ivan, who was hiding behind a shelf.
"Ivan," Viper said. "You have done well. This asset is approved."
Ivan fainted.
Viper turned back to Noah. He pulled out a stack of black business cards.
"If you ever want better pay," Viper said, handing Noah a card, "call us."
Noah took the card. It had a skull logo on it.
Cool design, Noah thought. Very edgy.
"Thanks!" Noah smiled. "But I like Mr. Smith. He lets me drive the van."
The Butcher laughed. "Loyalty. Rare."
The three Lords turned and left the shop.
[THE AFTERMATH]
Noah helped Ivan up from the floor.
"Did we pass?" Noah asked. "Did we get the safety certificate?"
Ivan stared at the dagger in the wall. Then at Noah.
"Yes, Noah," Ivan wept. "We passed. We passed with flying colors."
"Awesome!" Noah said. "Can I go home now? I need to make stew today."
"Go," Ivan whispered. "Please just go."
[CONTROL ROOM]
"Report," the Commander said.
"Target Noah just had a meeting with the High Council of Shadows," the analyst said, voice shaking.
"Did they kill him?"
"No, Sir. He... he deflected Madame Rose's blade with a cleaning implement. And then threatened Viper."
The President closed his eyes.
"And?"
"They offered him a job. He declined. Citing loyalty to Ivan."
The room went silent.
"He charmed them," the President said. "He looked the devil in the eye, swatted his attack away like a fly, and then refused his offer."
"What does this mean, Sir?"
The President sighed.
"It means Noah Sato is no longer just a soldier. He's a made man."