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“It is a test.When it changes, I will have worked around some of the damage.Until then, I just have to look in the mirror.”She looked at her hands.“Now, I am off to my manicure.”

“I am on your schedule as well.May I ask you questions, Comptroller?”

“Certainly, as long as I get my breaks and cuticles attended to.”

“I can do that, madam, come this way.”

The rest was very much like a standard manicure back home.She soaked her fingers, got a massage, and then each nail was reinforced and enamelled with a blush peach.

The lady asked a few questions about regulations regarding new businesses and what kind of permits were necessary for a salon.

“There are several permit types that are necessary.Traffic permit for staff and clients, environmental permit for any noxious substances, building permit, lighting permit, electrical permit, inspections at three stages of development and design, and an operations permit.It would be easier to get an existing business and buy it out.Find someone who wants to retire and who has a permitted business.”

The lady blinked.“Oh.Can I write that down?”

“When you have a day off, come to my office, and I will go over the options for you.”

“You would?”

“Of course.It’s my job.”Her hair slid over her shoulder as she inclined her head.“Thank you for the service.My nails were annoying.”

“It was my pleasure, Comptroller.Come back anytime.Perhaps when you need a trim.”

Reem nodded and went to reception to pay her bill.It was smaller than she had anticipated.“Why is the bill smaller?”

“Ceo said you programmed the unit yourself, so she was able to take other clients while it worked, so she discounted you twenty percent.”

“Make a notation as to the reasoning.I do not ask for discounts.”She paused.“And add an additional twenty percent to the bill for her directly.It is the custom of my people to reward good service.She did not injure my cuticles and repaired the cracks in my nails with skill.So, a bonus is offered.”

“It is not our custom.”

“Very well.The funds were offered.”She nodded and caressed the pay plate.“Thank you for your service.”

She turned and walked out of the salon, feeling better about the appearance of her hands.She returned to her apartment and played vids on the link in her mind.Now and then, she admired her nails.She had a fresh outfit ready, and work tomorrow would be interesting.She had gone from a bald alien to the embodiment of death.She was bound to raise eyebrows.

The room was still, and she looked around.“Next.”

One petitioner shoved the other forward, and she was looking at a young female with a child strapped to her for carrying.She wanted permission to move to a district closer to her family now that her husband had separated from her to pursue his love of the ocean.

“Yes?”

“Madam Comptroller, I w-would l-like to—” She jolted as the child began crying.

Reem got to her feet and walked toward them.“May I hold him?”

The woman was shaking but pulled her child out of the carrier, and Reem took him.She looked at his face and watched the red of fury as he cried.“Hello, little man.Having a rough day?”

She propped him on her shoulder and began to pat his back in circles.“Tell me about your request.”The child belched.

“I wish to switch districts to be closer to my family now that my husband has chosen to go deep-sea exploring without leaving us funds to survive.”

“Well, that is not right.”She swayed rhythmically, and the little body went limp.“There aren’t any support systems set in place, as separation is not common.You are granted moving permission, and a stipend to assist in moving will be provided, as well as ten percent of your rent for your new home.That ten percent will be removed from your husband’s new wages.”

“He will be furious.”

“He started the child; it is up to him to make sure that he has a roof over his head until he has reached maturity.If he fathers another child with someone else and abandons it as well, another ten percent will be moved from his wage.”

The woman smiled.“He won’t like that.”