“Dalton’s Delivery Service. This is Abby speaking,” the beastkin woman that answered Zoe’s call said in greeting. Abby had squirrel like features complete with a large, bushy tail. She didn’t look much older than Memphis.

“Hi. I’m Zoe Blanco and I have a few questions I would like to ask if you have the time,” Zoe replied.

“Don’t you work for Henri? I’m not hiring if that’s what you’re interested in,” Abby replied.

“No, I don’t want a job and yes, I sort of work for Henri,” Zoe replied. She explained her situation and how she was thinking of going independent as well as how Memphis gave her Abby’s information.

“I’ll get Memphis back for that age joke and I see Henri is showing just how much of an asshole he really is once again,” Abby said making Zoe laugh. “I shouldn’t tell you anything about going independent since I don’t want anymore competition, but what the hell?”

Over the next hour the two discussed all the ins and outs of being an independent courier. It turned out that Abby had been an independent courier for longer than Henri or Hayabusa had been in business and really wasn’t worried about competition despite her earlier comment. She advised Zoe to go independent instead of working for another company, especially if she wanted to avoid working for organized crime since most of the courier companies had ties to the various organizations that dominated the city’s underground. That made Zoe consider Henri and Vincent. She guessed there was more to their relationship than just friendship, but quickly dismissed the thought.

“Wait, couriers have to bid on jobs on a central site?” Zoe asked.

“Yeah, unless they have exclusive contracts. The clerk will give you that information once you have paid for your license,” Abby answered. “Just don’t undercut others too often by bidding the lowest price you can.”

“Let me guess, that’s a good way to make enemies,” Zoe replied.

“Bingo.”

“How much do people bid?” Zoe asked.

“Depends on the run. Let’s say Henri paid you 50 credits for a run,” Abby said.

“Ok.”

“That means he bid at least twice that and most likely 200 credits,” Abby replied.

“That lying son of a…”

“Easy,” Abby laughed. “Did you really think he was just taking 10% or whatever percentage he told you?”

“Yeah…”

This made Abby laugh hard.

“How else do you explain how he could then pay you 100 credits for a similar run?” Abby asked once she got her laughter under control.

“I see your point,” Zoe replied. “So, basically a license holder will bid twice what a job is worth?”

“That’s a good rule of thumb, though it doesn’t always work out that way. Watch what others bid and learn,” Abby replied. “Take for example a run for a corporate VP. That sort of job could lead to more work from the corporation or VP themselves if they’re happy with the price and how quickly the job is done. I know I have done them for less than 100 credits in the past.”

“But what would you charge for one of those kinds of runs now?” Zoe wondered.

“500 credits at a minimum, but I have a very solid rep these days,” Abby said. “A solid rep is far more important than how much you can make off individual runs.”

“I’ve noticed that” Zoe admitted. “I’ve started to earn a rep for being dependable or at least that’s what I’ve been told.”

“It’s true,” Abby replied.

“You keep track of other couriers?”

“Sometimes, especially when they do stupid stuff like running headfirst into other vehicles…”

“I guess that little incident will follow me around for a long time,” Zoe muttered.

“Yup. But that can also be a good thing,” Abby replied. “You’ll see eventually.”

“I suppose,” Zoe said. “Thank you for your time and the information.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sending you a recommendation too,” Abby replied. “And if you’ll give me a minute, I’ll get you one from Memphis too.”

“Why would you do that?” Zoe asked. She was stunned. It had never occurred to her that Abby or any other courier would give her a recommendation.

“Because you need two for the license,” Abby answered. “That’s not something most are told about.”

“I have one from Doc Brown,” Zoe replied.

“That’s good. Claire is a respected Cyberdoc and member of the community. Having two more will help even more.”

“Do I owe you anything?” Zoe asked.

“No,” Abby laughed. “Just remember to do the same for others if the opportunity arises once you’re established.”

“I will,” Zoe promised.

“Good. Here comes your recommendations,” Abby said. Zoe accepted the files after scanning them. She thanked the older courier once again. “Good luck and take care of yourself.”

“You too,” Zoe replied before they ended the call.

*

Zoe checked the net while in the shower and found that the county clerk’s office had been merged with the city clerk’s office and was in the old city clerk’s office at 141 Worth St. She downloaded and filled out the courier license application and attached the recommendations to it. The clerk’s office was a 35–40-minute drive away.

She changed into jeans, her ankle boots, a white long-sleeved blouse, and put her hair into a ponytail before she could talk herself out of going independent. She had Claire for jobs and thought she knew she could undercut others to get started. Zoe put on her leather jacket and sunglasses before walking out of her house. She locked the doors and mounted her GT4.

*

“Everything seems to be in order on your application and you have three recommendations,” the clerk said to Zoe. “Do you have 7500 credits for the license?”

“I do,” Zoe replied. “Is the license federal?”

“No. A federal courier license is 10000 credits,” the clerk replied. “Do you want that one? I see you have a federal drivers’ license.”

“Yes please,” Zoe said.

“Just a moment while I amend your application,” the woman said. She offered Zoe a data cable once more. “That’s done. Transfer the funds please.”

“Ok,” Zoe said taking the cable and then transferring the ten grand.

“It’ll take a few minutes to process this and create the license,” the clerk said. “Ah. We missed a field. What do you want to name your company?”

“It needs a name?” Zoe asked. The clerk nodded. “Zoe’s Courier Services, I guess.”

“ZCS? Not too bad,” the woman replied smiling at Zoe. “I’ve heard much worse.”

Zoe smiled back as the woman described the bidding process and gave Zoe access to the secure bidding site. The federal license gave Zoe a lot more bidding choices than a city license did. She was 10000 credits poorer, but she was happy and felt like she had made the right decision.