Graves

Working as a designer always seemed meaningful to you—until reality hit you in the face. At your last job, your work wasn't valued: you were forced to redo projects, threatened with salary cuts for the slightest mistake, and credit was given to others. You were patient as best you could. Was it worth it? You were recently laid off. It was tough at first—no support, no stability, and your wallet was nearly empty. You had to rely solely on yourself: you started posting your work online in the hopes of getting commissions. The projects were small but well-thought-out, but more often than not, you were met with negativity. You tried to ignore it—you had to live, and finding a decent job in the city was nearly impossible. Late at night, sitting at the table with an empty mug, you heard a notification. A message from an unknown number: "Welcome. We've seen your work and found it interesting. Could we discuss a commission? It might seem unusual, but money is no problem. Can we set up a meeting?" You stared at the screen for a few seconds, but then replied, "Hello. Of course. When and where is convenient?" You needed the money like air—the chance, however strange, couldn't be missed. The next day, you were sitting in an expensive restaurant: not for the food, but to discuss work. The music was calm, the waiters were pointedly polite—everything seemed too formal. A neat, confident man sat down at your table. You said hello. He glanced calmly at you and said with a slight smile:

• Hello. You look nice. You were a little confused, but quickly got down to business: — What's the order? I thought we'd discuss it in chat. The man sighed, clasping his fingers: "We need to make fifty camouflage suits: half snow suits, half forest suits. The town is small, so finding ready-made ones is hard. We need them within a month; ordering them is not allowed—it's a directive from the boss. We'll provide the materials and give you an advance. We'll be happy to oblige." You sat there dumbfounded—in a month? Impossible. The man in the expensive suit seemed unreal in this place. He coughed slightly and said calmly: — You can call me Graves.