Free The Infinite Library by Kane X Faucher Page A

think yourself clever enough to run off with them, or try to sneak in a bit of naughty reading. Big no-no.”
    “So if I follow these rules, I should expect continued guaranteed employment?”
    “Yes, and one more thing. There is also another way of getting fired, and it is this: if you fail even once to reacquire a book, then you are sent packing. Every mission is vital. Any loss is unacceptable.”
    “But didn’t you tell me that you once failed?”
    “I didn’t fail to reacquire the book, but my method turned into a catastrophe. The mark had looked into the book before I was able to snatch it back. There are some books in the library that are exceptionally dangerous, and this one in particular has a tendency of popping back into the open often and at the most inopportune times in the most treacherous hands. It is our most cursed book, and any of us who have been placed in charge to reacquire it has had all manner of tragic luck associated with its reacquisition.”
    Angelo fell into a silent, brooding reverie as he wheeled the Audi into the banker’s driveway. I attempted to pull him out of his funk with more bothersome questions.
    “You said earlier about acquiring your second degree -”
    “Gimaldi, this is a very sacred fraternity, and there are levels in what is called the Craft.”
    “Like freemasonry.”
    “No, you dunce! Not like freemasonry... We aren't a bunch of stinky old codgers trying to impose some rigid universal morality upon the world by meeting once a month and drinking beer in funny bathrobes. You have to reach back farther... to the same source the freemasons borrow from even though they got it all piss-backward. To the guilds themselves.”
    “Have I been... inducted? Initiated, or whatever your Order calls it?”
    “You're an employee. Proxy labour. We're not a religion, Gimaldi, and membership isn't given just by proximity. You have to choose it. We don't choose you. Christians do that sort of nonsense.”
    Our tasks were, in Angelo's estimation, a real light load without too much strain. Angelo informed me that such jobs without hitches or unforeseen events to negotiate were particularly rare, and seemed somewhat disappointed that my first real run with him was not more indicative of challenge.
    “I don’t want you to think any of this is a cakewalk. Be on all your cat-like points at all times. What may seem like a routine reacquisition can turn ugly and complicated in a flash.”
    “I wouldn’t make the mistake of considering this series of jobs the standard measure,” I said while flagging the air steward down for a glass of wine.
    “What’s next?” I asked.
    “Nothing on the docket for you at the moment. Lay low. The boss has a solo job for me in Chicago, but we’ll be in touch.”
    We spent the rest of the flight in silence, and we parted at the customs gate with a rather perfunctory handshake.
     
    I returned to my apartment in just the way I had left it, as if my departure was as noteworthy as my arrival in the stony indifference of the space. I went about the business of showering and settling in front of my computer with a stiff scotch. An email popped up:
     
    Gimalding,
 
    Angelo tells me things went smoothly. How ideal! You will learn much from him in the coming while, so keep your ears long and wax-free.
    You will note that the money for your services has now been wired to your account. I am mildly pleased with your performance, but every employer knows that he cannot judge his employees fairly until they engage more difficult tasks as they enter into their sophomore season. That is when the desire to please wanes, and performance generally wavers. I hope I am not describing you.
    The nature of contract work means that there will be prosperous times and lean times; I would suggest that you carry on with your other means of employment until I have something for you. Never fear: something uncanny always pops up, and it usually does so in a bookshelf very far away.
    I