A few hours later, it was closing time, so Jon headed home.
Walking into his apartment building always made him feel like he was walking down some dark alley or tunnel. Why did everything always have to be so cramped in this town? Even his apartment was cramped, feeling more like a closet than an actual place of residence. He supposed that the ruling committee thought they were doing a favor to everyone, making sure that everyone had a place to live. Of course, the rich didn't have to worry about any of this. It's like they're immune or something.
As Jon opened his apartment door, a door from down the hall opened. "Oh. Hey, Jon."
The one bright spot in his life was Karyn Black, his next door neighbor. Even when he was really down, she could cheer him up. And today, he was really down.
"Hi, Karyn."
"Tough day?"
"Yeah, something like that. Um, you wanna come in?"
"Sure," she said, with a smile. She walked into his apartment and Jon followed, closing the door behind him.
He walked over to his mailbox and saw a bunch of spam letters littered around a small brown package. He picked it up and shook it. He could hear something rattling around inside.
"What's that?" Karyn asked.
"I don't know. I didn't order anything."
"Well, open it."
"Okay, okay. I'm getting to it," he said, grabbing his laser scalpel. He cut open the package and out fell a small stone.
"Is that it?" Karyn asked.
Jon looked inside the box. "It looks like it."
"Who would send you a rock?"
Jon turned the package around in his hands. "There's no label."
"How did it get sent to your apartment then?"
Jon shrugged. He then picked up the stone and placed it on the counter with the empty box. "I'll have to notify the post office. But later. I just want to rest for a while."
"Do you want me to stay?" Karyn asked.
