Scarlett’s eyes jolted open. They still clutched the rim of their glass. They sat up and glanced around for Nanè or Peso.. or some slightly familiar face. The chair in front of them was empty. “Oh dear..” They mumbled to themself.

Click. Another man shut the door and turned. He stood tall with a lifted chin, looking like someone straight of a magazine with his slicked back hair and fitted, white button-down shirt.

He straightened his tie and sleeves. Afterward, he strode over and took his seat in front of them. “’Wonderful weather, eh, Hughes?” He asked with a wide, friendly smile. He tossed one leg over the other.

“Indeed.” They replied, sipping their lukewarm coffee.

“My name is Kafele.” He said with delight.

It clicked. The man from the billboard looked almost the same as he had before. His eyes still didn’t smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He said in his deep, melodic voice.

“You as well.” Scarlett nodded.

“How about we get straight to business?”

“Sure.”

“I’m here to take you on your first run while the team is assembled.”

Scarlett fought themself not to raise a brow. “I know. Things run slow around here.” Kafele said a bit lightheartedly. “But I can tell you for certain—when it gets fast, you’ll wish it was slow again.”

“Okay.”

“Now the first clue we have is said to be somewhere in the eighties.”

“There??”

“Indeed.”

Kafele held out his arm. “Are you ready?”

“I’m ready.” Scarlett said swiftly, taking his hand.

Scarlett blinked. Their head throbbed lightly. They rubbed their eyes. Everything in front of them blurred like they stood in a thick cloud of fog. “See? What did I tell you?” Kafele’s hand slid off theirs. “It sure does go by quick, doesn’t it?”

“Sure. We’re in the eighties.. aren’t we?” Scarlett groaned. “Those don’t sound too far away.”

“Not those eighties, Scarlett.” He humorously replied. “Now come on, let’s get you dressed.”

Scarlett fluttered their eyes. The blur faded, revealing a… room? A desk with things scattered all over it stood in front of them. Some weird blocky device with buttons sat on top, emitting a dump of drums and a distorted piano? Scarlett raised their brows. “Ehm.. Where are we?”

“At one of the rallying points.” Kafele shrugged. “Here, put this on.”

Scarlett caught the pile of clothes thrown in their direction. Kafele came back over, fixing his slightly disheveled hair. “I hope I don’t break a nail doing this.” He murmured, sliding a handheld mirror off the desk.

“That is good and all, but do you mind stepping out for a moment?”

“Oh, sure.” He shrugged.

Scarlett watched as he walked out, staring at his reflection the entire time. They looked down at the pile of clothes. Their brain did back flips, somersaults and all sorts of crazy mental gymnastics in some attempt to understand what the hell was going on. They took a deep breath and rolled back their slumped shoulders.

They put on the suit and crept over to the door. “Hey.” They whisper-yelled. “Kafele, are you there?”

…

“Kafele..?”

A ticking clock went off in the back of their head. They sighed and turned back to the desk. There was a comb in the pen holder. They rushed over and yanked it out, just as they did—CREAAAAKKK! Scarlett turned around like they’d been caught thieving something. “Oh.. there you are, Kafele.” Kafele nodded and flashed a smile. He tossed the mirror and buttoned up his blazer.

He swept back his now completely disheveled hair. He pulled up the collar of his shirt, hiding a lipstick smudge. “That is going to stain.” Scarlett stated as politely as they could. “Are you sure you want to go out like this?”

“It’ll be fine.” He shrugged. “Follow me.”

The two walked out. Scarlett’s nose was hit with the stench of.. chemicals? It smelled like a doctor’s office but to the point it burnt their lungs. The weird piano music grew closer and closer as they walked through the hallway. People in jeans and t-shirts with odd hairstyles dodged the two, some even stopped to catch a glimpse of… Kafele?

Kafele opened the last door. The music grated against Scarlett’s brain. It was nothing like the smooth violins and light voices they were so used to hearing. “K-Kafele, sir—Welcome back.” A woman stuttered, pointing to the door they’d just come from. “Cassius-”

“I’ll talk to him in a moment.” Kafele dismissed. “I’ve got business to do.”

The woman smiled, nodded and headed off. The walls were littered with vibrant posters. The floors were painted with wild—but charming patterns. People sat in front of sinks and vanities, getting their hair washed—wait. This was the barber’s. Most of the people smiled and chatted away. Everyone was so loud and.. lively… Scarlett flinched.

“Scarlett, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Kafele said playfully, nudging their shoulder.

“I have not an idea what is going on in front of me but I know I have never seen it once before.” They said with wide eyes.

“Excuse me?-”

“Let us go.”

The two started on their way. “So what exactly would Jack be doing here?” Scarlett asked in a small, shaky voice. The two weaved around a group of people.

“Well, that’s what we’re trying to find out.” Kafele shrugged. “He was here for certain.”

“At this salon?” Scarlett asked doubtfully, narrowing their eyes.

“No, but around this general area.”

“S-So.. uhm… Where exactly was he?”

“I’m gonna be honest with you.”

The two stopped. He took a deep breath. Scarlett’s expression softened. Kafele rested his hands on their shoulders and closed his eyes. Scarlett’s eyes widened a smidge. “I’m sorry.” He said solemnly. “But..” He burst out cackling. Scarlett tilted their head. He slapped his knee, still laughing up a storm. Scarlett simply blinked twice.

“I really did get you there, didn’t I?” He said playfully, ruffling their hair. “He was at the art museum.”

Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. “Come on.” He sighed, turning back around. As soon as Scarlett stepped out outside, they almost melted. Green trees and vibrant flowers decorated the—city?! The concrete buildings grazed the clouds. The blue tinted windows shone like the sun against the vivid, ocean blue sky.

Street food and gasoline waltzed, leaving behind an awful stench Scarlett could taste. Kafele gave them a pat on the shoulder as the two headed out. They stopped at a more classical building after dodging a bustling crowd. The two headed up the stairs. Columns stood tall around them like the walls on the mouth of a cave. “It is not at all odd that Jack would be here.” Scarlett opined.

People piled in around them, flooding the place like an ocean. They could barely even hear themself over the noise.

“From what I’ve heard, yeah.” He shrugged, looking around. “That way.”