“A millennium Downstairs, huh? I started on Second. I spent a lot of time Downstairs, what with working the factory line and all, so I know it. I know it very well. But obviously . . . well, it’s a different experience. Are you—how did you—”

“I’ll tell you; I prefer it up here!” Cal said, and she pushed her glass against mine so it clinked, a hopeful sound.

I took the hint.

“So, what do you think of our fine department so far?” I picked through the bowl of peanuts, looking for anything but empty shells. I thought about waving Jack down and asking for more, but decided against it. It’s important to stay on your bartender’s good side.

“It’s . . . well, can I tell you the truth?”

I grabbed a peanut shell and put it in my mouth, just to taste the salt. Or Hell’s version of salt, rather, which is more like skin two days after the beach.

“Of course,” I said. “I’m very trustworthy.”

Cal laughed. “Didn’t the whole team have a How to Be Trustworthy training session not too long ago?”

“You’ll be so convincing, you’ll start to trust yourself!” I said, mimicking the poster.

“Honestly, I’m still reeling. I’m so grateful to be here—I mean, I’m so grateful. But I can’t help thinking they made some kind of mistake. There’s no way I can keep up with you all. I mean, just look at Trey! He is so impressive . . . I could never sell like him.”

“Trey?” I exhaled out my nose, quick but obvious. “You could definitely outsell Trey.”

“But in our meeting today, he got a Complete Set! And I know the last time he got a Complete Set, he was awarded with memory clearance, right? Isn’t that basically unheard of—getting so many Complete Sets you are allowed to investigate people’s memories?”

I cracked my neck. “Yeah, he did get memory clearance. I was there when KQ gave him the honors. She did a whole ceremony after his fourth Complete Set. But it’s really not that rare. Not at all. It hasn’t happened in a while, sure, but it happens plenty.”

“He just seems like a really hard worker.”

“Trey wouldn’t know hard work if it killed him. He’s a bar snake.”

“A what?”

“A bar snake. He hangs out at bars and gets deals from the drunks at two in the morning. If that’s hard work, sign me up.”

“Well, as long as we’re being honest, he does seem a little . . .”

“Asshat-ish?” I finished. Cal laughed, more loudly than we had been talking, a burst of a laugh that made me think of a dry riverbed after it rains. Of water moving freely, the way it should.