Tracey’s smile had sincerity to it. But Jioni knew she deserved better. She then remembered why she came, what she was here for: to propose her plan to help herself, Derrin, and now Tracey as well. Though the thought of speaking unsettled her, she found solace in Tracey’s smile.
“What if we secede from Geogen. Like the other cities, then there will be no more payments. I don’t have a payment for tomorrow,” Jioni said, “See, there will be no more Agents working for forty years, and you don’t have to stay up past midnight trying to—”
Jioni cut herself off. She knew that face and knew those swelling tears: It was irate Tracey. Her whole demeanor had changed at the word “secede.” Her face went from smiling to frowning and frowning to straight anger. Tracey slammed her fist on the desk.
Jioni rolled back her chair.
