The bell alarmed it was time for Michael Clayton to finish work and collect his final payment. Clayton went to the rusty locker rooms and undressed, he then bathed in the lukewarm water of the shower; which used recycled water. After his shower he put on a clean brown vest, army green trousers, his black boots, his army green jacket which had four pockets two on each side. Two breast pockets and two pockets above the waist. Clayton then put on his two dog tags, they were engraved with the symbol of earth between two golden olive branches and the words Earth Force. The serial number was on the back, along with the words ‘Jumper Division’. Clayton strapped on a belt which had a knife holder on the right side and in the holder was a knife which had a serrated edge and a army green handle, the knife also had a compass in the handle. Clayton picked up his red bag and walked to the office of the owner of the coal field.

There was no door only brown beads hanging in the doorway a Jewish accent  called out. ‘Come in, Clayton, don’t just stand out there.’

Clayton stepped in seeing his employer, a sixty-something-year-old Jew named Ezekiel. Ezekiel wore the customary black grab and hat most Orthodox Jews wore; his gray beard covered his neck and he had sharp eyes for his age. He was counting money as usual.

‘You look like a stereotype,’ Clayton joked.

‘You look like if you are still in Earth Force. What’s your point?’

‘Just saying.’

‘Come for your last payment I see.’

‘Yes.’

‘When are you leaving?’

‘Two days if all goes well.’

‘Can be dangerous in outer space, I hear it takes one year non stop travel to reach Beta.’

‘I can handle it, a year in space is no problem for me and the wars are over.’

‘Peace lasts only so long.’

‘So are you leaving?’ Clayton remained standing.

‘No, I’m old and I have no family and I have become wealthy in these last years I am satisfied with my time, I plan to die peacefully here, where I was born on earth.’

‘Pity they need honest business men like you on Alpha.’

Ezekiel choked and laughed at the same time. ‘Honest?’

‘Yes, you never cheated me.’

Ezekiel paused to think for a minute. ‘Thanks. Look, I’m putting something extra in your pay as a gift for your family.’

‘Hey, no need. I don’t need charity.’

‘Don’t argue with an old man. I’m putting it in and that’s final Clayton, say it’s for the kids or whatever will salve your pride but take the extra money, you’ll need it.’

Clayton swallowed his opposition and took the cash off the large desk.

‘Thanks, you have been a kind employer.’

‘No, Michael Clayton, thank you.’

‘Me?’

‘Yes, you taught me a great deal about honor, so I’m in your debt.’

Clayton said no more and left.