Urban System in America

Steven came back a few minutes later, looking a little embarrassed as he tucked his phone into his pocket.

Rex humored him with a couple of empty exchanges… pointless small talk about the weather, traffic, the price of coffee, stuff no one cared about but filled the air. Steven kept trying, careful, almost overly respectful now, as though every word had to be weighed before it left his mouth. Rex didn't pay him much attention.

Not long after, the girls returned. They were practically glowing with excitement, eyes sharp, steps light, like hunters coming back from a successful chase.

"We got everything," Hannah whispered to Rex, trying to contain her grin. "Actually, more than everything. And not the fluffy stuff people read in tabloids. I'm talking the real, ugly gears and pulleys. The kind that would blow the internet apart if we ever dared to leak it."

Elara chimed in, lowering her voice as if the walls might have ears. "We could write an entire paper with this. Like… a research-level expose."

Sophie's eyes sparkled mischievously. "And cause a riot in the industry if we ever released it."

But Daisy, ever the grounded one, shook her head firmly. "Don't joke about that. There's a reason even the dirtiest paparazzi keep their mouths shut about things like this. They know what they can print and what they can't… and more importantly, they still want to live long enough to enjoy their paychecks."

They looked at each other, exhilarated but cautious. They were right, even the most lawless paparazzi didn't touch this kind of information, not because they lacked it, but because they valued breathing another day. Everyone who wanted to survive in this business knew where the invisible lines were drawn. The wrong word, the wrong scoop, and you weren't just out of work… you were out of life in this industry.

The two girls crowded around Rex, speaking over each other, eager to share snippets of what they had pried loose. Their voices overlapped in a jumble of names, dirty deals, hush-money scandals, and the strange politics of power that kept everything in motion. Rex listened carefully, his usual calm expression unshaken, while behind them Steven trailed like a shadow, silent and deferential.

It wasn't lost on the girls that Steven's demeanor had shifted. He no longer carried himself like some insider showing them around. He stood behind Rex, head slightly lowered, the picture of respect. Daisy noticed it, Sophie too, but neither said anything. Even Sophie, who usually asked everything that came to her head, kept quiet. Some things were better left unspoken.

When the discussion finally wound down, Rex dismissed Steven with a nod. "We'll be in touch. I'll have my friend contact you later."

Steven bowed his head lightly, voice careful. "Of course, sir." He escorted them politely all the way to the door, waiting until they were outside before turning back.

As they reached Daisy's car, the girls were still buzzing, flipping through their notes and whispering to each other about just how deep the rabbit hole really went. But before they could slide inside, Rex stopped.

"You four go on ahead," he said, his tone calm but leaving no room for argument. "I've got something to take care of nearby."

The girls blinked, caught off guard. Sophie opened her mouth, curiosity written all over her face… but Daisy caught her lightly by the elbow, shaking her head.

Rex's words were simple, but the way he said them carried weight. Enough weight that even Sophie thought twice.

"…Alright," Daisy said after a moment, nodding.

One by one, the others followed, slipping into the car without pressing further. The engine hummed to life, and soon the car rolled out of the lot, leaving Rex standing there, hands in his pockets, eyes watching the tail lights fade before turning away.

He walked down the block, found an ATM, and withdrew a decent stack of cash. Slipping the bills into his wallet, he headed into a small café just across the street. The place was quiet, warm light spilling across polished wood tables, soft jazz humming from the speakers. Taking a corner seat, Rex pulled out his phone and shot Aren a quick message, location pinned.

"Come meet me."

…

On the other side of the city, Aren had been knee-deep in film prep when his phone buzzed. One glance at the message, and his eyes widened.

Rex.

He didn't even think twice. Shoving everything aside, Grabbing his threadbare jacket, he locked his apartment door carefully, twisting the rusted lock twice before tugging it once for good measure.

The hallway outside smelled faintly of mildew and stale smoke. His building was old, the kind where wallpaper peeled like shedding skin and the ceiling lights flickered, half-dead. He didn't notice anymore. He was used to all of this.

Stepping out onto the street was like stepping into another world. The air carried a sour cocktail of rotting garbage and exhaust fumes. Graffiti stretched across brick walls, bold and ugly, layered with gang signs marking territory. Trash was piled in corners where no one bothered to clean. In the shadows, hollow-eyed addicts slumped against walls, muttering to themselves or just staring blankly ahead. This was the kind of place where people disappeared, and no one bothered asking why.

Aren kept his head down and hurried his pace, even though he didn't have anything to lose anyway. But he had already been mugged more than once. The bruises and lost belongings weren't something he wanted to relive. Yet he had no choice but to stay here. With his meager salary, shifting to a safer neighborhood was nothing but a dream.

This was the reality of the city, a brutal division of wealth that programs and promises couldn't erase. The government and the United Nations provided just enough so people like him didn't starve, but if anyone wanted to actually live—really live—they had to claw their way up on their own.

But this wasn't the time to be worried about it. After a few blocks, he finally reached the edge of his neighborhood where taxis actually passed by. He raised a hand, flagged one down, and slipped inside.

(End of Chapter)