Bulletproof - Xavier Neal Page 0,19
appropriate social calls this early on an empty stomach probably isn’t going to go well.
“Your routine outside of the facility wasn’t difficult to follow. You are the very definition of a creature of habit. Same restaurants. Same stores. Same transportation paths.”
“I know the definition of the phrase.”
“Taking you outside of this building wouldn’t be a challenging task.”
“You’re saying, I’m easy.”
The phrasing ignites a displeased expression. “I’m saying your lack of spontaneity isn’t safe.”
“And I’m saying being predictable is practical.” I have another bite of the bagel a bit more viciously for effect. “Eliminating the uselessness of basic bullshit such as where to eat, when to eat, and who to eat with, allows for that time to be better spent doing things that are actually productive. I prefer efficiency to the inefficient carefree behavior most people waste their time pretending they have.” My teeth chomp into the breakfast bread again on a grumbled, “Do you know who Banneker was?”
“Um…the original bagel owner?”
“Benjamin Banneker was a Renaissance man. Farmer, scholar, author, mathematician – although not necessarily recognized to the extent he should be for it – scientist and an inventor. Among his numerous contraptions was our country’s first fully functioning clock. Banneker Bagel’s pays homage to an underrated genius by mimicking his drive in the form of their innovative breakfast creations. They infuse flavors and ingredients to enrich and enhance your morning while simultaneously reminding you of a legend by decorating the shop to reflect a solar eclipse – something he accurately predicted in 1789 – and naming the treats after specific points of time such as,” the half-eaten bread product is lifted towards his face, “3:07 I.E. my favorite.” My tongue gives my lips a quick lick to swipe away the strawberry cream cheese that managed to get smudged on them. “I.E. something that I can always count on being ready by the time I show up and still available on the mornings I am running behind. I like Banneker’s for the dependability offered as much as the history. Has it crossed your mind that maybe my sense of spontaneity might exist, yet has managed to be overshadowed by my preference for productivity and stability being at the forefront?”
“You learned all that shit about Banneker on a whim?”
“I learned all that shit during the time I saved by not having to waste brain cells thinking about where I wanna go for breakfast or how many packets of sugar I want in my coffee.”
An impressed yet defeated expression crosses his face.
“What most find monotonous and judge me for shamelessly doing, I find ideal for optimizing the moments I have for better things.” Dropping the unfinished portion of the food back into the bag, I motion my head to the left, “Let’s start this direction. We’re already off schedule.”
It doesn’t take much effort for Bronx to match my stride. The fact his legs are longer than mine probably helps and is something that despite my current irritation I do appreciate it. He waits until we’ve passed the first trashcan where I dump the breakfast remains to ask, “How often do you walk the grounds?”
“Outside or inside?”
“Both.”
“It depends.” We continue moving along the almost vacant paved path passing one smoker who is perched around the corner near a stairwell door. “Outside is something I do first thing in the morning typically post breakfast if I slept here overnight.”
“How often is that?”
“More often than it should be.”
“Ballpark me.”
“For a week or a month?”
“Week.”
Right as we pass around the corner, I shrug. “Four nights.”
Criticism presents itself in the form of a hum.
Oh, like he’s sleeping in the comfort of his own home more often than me.
Considering what he does for a living?
Not. Likely.
“If I slept at home,” I proceed, our route now completely devoid of others, “then that means I had a morning bike ride, so this walk would then occur between the hours of one and two in the afternoon, which is when I literally come up for air.”
His eyebrows lift in question.
“My office is located on the level right above the lowest. I prefer to be as close to my projects in testing as possible.”
“And these walks around the perimeter facility serve what purpose?”
“Fresh air has scientifically been documented to provide a person with more energy and to improve focus. Indoor air is more often suboptimal due to the imbalance of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, essentially decreasing fecundity while outdoor air has been known to yield opposing results. Therefore, these strolls allow for