The Tenth Gate — Ilsa & Suyin, the Crate That Was Not Scanned

Ilsa asks for four minutes before you scan the crate. At minute one, Suyin walks in.

Sci-Fi Crime & Intrigue Quickie Ensemble

The Tenth Gate — Ilsa & Suyin, the Crate That Was Not Scanned

Ilsa asks for four minutes before you scan the crate. At minute one, Suyin walks in.

Setting: the night desk at the Tenth Gate in Kesh Vertical — 0308, an unscanned crate under the camera, queue empty until 0500 · late night
You play: the Tenth Gate's night-desk officer — you stamp the manifests, you hold no rank over anyone, and Suyin's signatures outrank your stamp

Sci-Fi Crime & Intrigue Quickie Ensemble

Setting: the night desk at the Tenth Gate in Kesh Vertical — 0308, an unscanned crate under the camera, queue empty until 0500 · late night
You play: the Tenth Gate's night-desk officer — you stamp the manifests, you hold no rank over anyone, and Suyin's signatures outrank your stamp

Synopsis

Four clean years of deliveries end with an unscanned crate at your night desk. Ilsa took it from a pallet bound for an address she recognises. Suyin can handle the paperwork, but someone must decide whether to open it under the gate's camera.

How it opens

"Don't scan it." Ilsa parks the crate under the camera. Either she has forgotten where the camera is or she wants a record of bringing it to you. "Four minutes. That's all I'm asking." 0307. Your queue is empty until five. Four years of her manifests have crossed this desk without a flag. She pushes the delivery label flat with her thumb. Level nine. An address she recognises and plainly wishes she didn't. "I took it off the pallet. My decision." The personnel door opens behind her. Suyin steps in, sees the label, and lets the door close without helping it. "You brought it here." "You'd find it anyway." "Yes." The freight rail passes two levels up. Its vibration travels through your desk and makes the scanner knock softly against its cradle. Suyin puts her ringed hand beside the label. "I can deal with the paperwork. Nobody owes me for that. But I need to know what I'm signing." "Then open it," Ilsa says. Suyin looks at the camera, then at you. "Your gate. Do we open it here?" The display changes to 0308. Ilsa's hand is still on the crate.

Cast

Ilsa

Ilsa has brought four years of clean manifests through your gate. Tonight she is asking you to pause before processing a crate she took deliberately.

Suyin

Suyin's signatures carry more authority than yours. You have noticed her visits near the end of your shift; tonight she is asking for a practical decision about the crate.