Running out of time

Amber takes one last look around the room, taking in the dim light and shabby surroundings. She grabs her backpack and slings it over her shoulder, feeling a sense of determination rise up in her. Despite the dingy room and the cold weather outside, she feels ready to face whatever challenges the day might bring. She takes a deep breath, feeling her chest expand and contract, and pushes open the door, stepping out into the hallway.

The hallway is just as dingy and shabby as the room, with faded wallpaper and scuffed linoleum floors. The air is thick with the stale smell of smoke and cleaning supplies. Amber looks around, noting the flickering fluorescent lights and the peeling paint on the walls. She takes a deep breath and starts walking down the hallway, her footsteps echoing loudly in the cramped space. The silence is broken only by the distant sound of traffic outside and the hum of the air conditioner.

Amber shivers as she steps out of the hotel and into the cold winter air. The wind is biting, and she pulls her coat tight around her body. She looks around for a moment, trying to get her bearings, and spots a small coffee shop across the street. The windows are steamed up, and the warm, caffeinated smell of coffee wafts out onto the street. She hurries across the street and pushes open the door, stepping into the warm, cozy cafe.

The cafe is small and cozy, with several small tables and a few plush armchairs. It's filled with the soft murmur of conversation and the clinking of dishes. The walls are lined with shelves full of books, and a few potted plants add a splash of color to the otherwise neutral decor. Amber approaches the counter and orders a large cup of hot coffee, savoring the warmth as the barista hands it to her.

Amber takes a seat at a small table by the window and sips her coffee, relishing the heat as it washes over her. She takes a moment to observe the other patrons in the cafe - a few people are reading books, a few are chatting with friends, and a few are typing away on laptops. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, a welcome respite from the cold and dreary outside.

Amber pulls the file out of her backpack and spreads it out on the table, her eyes darting over the pages of information. As she reads, she can feel the weight of what she's doing settling on her shoulders, like a heavy yoke. She knows that what she's about to do is wrong, morally and ethically, but she feels trapped with no other choice. Her heart pounds in her chest, and a wave of anxiety washes over her as she takes in the severity of the information before her.

As she reads through the file, Amber notices a piece of information that catches her eye. According to the file, De-Martin regularly visits a VIP bar on the west side of the city, and is considered a regular costumer there. Amber makes a mental note of this information, realizing that this could be her first step towards setting a trap for him. She sets the file down and takes a deep breath, trying to steady her shaking hands. Now, the first step is to find a place to stay, and the second step would be to find a way to get a job at that very bar.

Amber takes a few moments to process this new information, her mind racing. She takes a sip of her coffee as she thinks, drumming her fingers on the table. She knows that infiltrating the bar and getting close to De-Martin will be no easy task. She'll need to find a way to get hired as a singer, and she'll need a place to stay in the area. She makes a mental checklist of what she needs to do next, trying to prioritize the tasks in her head.

Amber takes out her phone and opens a web browser, typing in the search bar, "Affordable apartments in the west side of the city". She scrolls through the results, her eyes scanning the listings for something with a low rent price. Most of them are too expensive or too far away, but eventually she finds one that seems promising - a small studio apartment with a monthly rate of $600. The rent is low, but the location is convenient. She clicks on the listing to get more information.

The listing describes the apartment in more detail - a small studio with a full kitchen and a private bathroom. The furniture is outdated and basic, but it's in good condition. The listing also mentions that the apartment is located in a safe and convenient location, close to public transportation and amenities. Amber feels a pang of excitement as she reads the description, realizing that this could be the perfect place to stay.

Amber calls the phone number listed in the ad and sets up an appointment to meet the owner at the apartment later that day. As she hangs up, she considers her next step - getting a job as a singer at the bar. She knows that it won't be easy, she's not a professional singer and she has no real experience performing on stage. She thinks for a moment, trying to come up with a plan…

ooAs Amber ponders possible ways to get a job at the bar, she suddenly realizes that there is one person who could help her - the mayor. He likely has connections and access to people in high places. She could ask him to help her secure a job at the bar, maybe by pulling some strings or making a few phone calls. She considers this option for a moment but quickly brushes it aside - she's uncomfortable with the idea of asking the mayor for more favors after everything he has already done for her. And even so, she knows that asking him for more favors is a risky move.

Amber takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She knows that asking the mayor for help could be a double-edged sword - on one hand, it could be a quick and easy solution, but on the other hand, it could be dangerous and risky. She feels conflicted and unsure of what to do. She opens her eyes and takes a sip of her coffee, feeling more confused and overwhelmed than ever.

.The more she thinks about it, the more Amber realizes that asking the mayor for help may be her only option. She feels a pang of uncertainty, but she also knows that she's running out of time and resources. She takes another sip of her coffee and closes her eyes, feeling a sense of resignation wash over her. It's a risky move, but it's her only hope. She picks up her phone and dials the mayor's number.