And they're off!
Tim takes a quick lead over the other two competitors, but Justin isn't giving up just yet!
Meanwhile Esther is left with the wagon burden, even through she has the shortest travel!
They all have an equal distance to travel, it's an even game!
Who will make it first?
Who will come out on top?
Who will survive?
Find out next chapter, on The Travel Log!
...
What? It's this chapter? How am I supposed to know? I don't have the script!
...
What? It's this chapter? How am I supposed to know? I don't have the script!
Esther
I walk straight into the town, coughing up the dust left behind by the two marathon runners before me. I still don't understand the big ruckus between those two... but Tim's running along just fine, probably passing Justin in terms of regular physical capabilities on a normal day. So I guess it's all good? I shake the dust off of myself, and make my way into the streets. It's almost like a wild west film, with people on horses, cantinas playing music, and trade posts in every corner. I sheepishly smile and continue on with a newfound skip in my step. The setting seems like a natural setting for a wild west film, and I couldn't be happier to finally have some time and space to do whatever I want. I turn to my right first and find a parking-lot like area for the wagon. Perfect. I roll the convoy up to the area, keeping the party of animals under calm and collected control. Doubling back over to the left of town, I quickly find the pet shop with relative ease. Right on main street beside Ye Old Tavern, and Milly Bay's Microstore. If Tim took his sweet time, he would already have found heaven, but his loss, I guess. Without any other burdens blocking the way, I make my way to the store.
A bell rings as I enter, revealing the packed store of noisy animal and customers alike. I start my quest by finding my surroundings. On the left, the registers and small supplies stand. On the right is the stables, housing the bigger animals, and perfectly complimented with the mess of snorts, clucks, and the... mess that follows it. The memories of the farm... I don't want to remember them. I quickly revert back to moving around and getting the lay of the land myself. Walking along the stables, I scout out potential recruits to the team. Horses.... not a choice at all. I have had many bad experiences back at the farm with horses... Shuddering, I stare and feel at my chest, still remembering the numerous wounds that came from them. This cause a loud snort from one of their noses. I immediately feel a shiver up my spine and jump back instinctively in fear, bumping into many other customers in the way. "Oh, sorry little one." "Didn't see you there." and "Kid, are you lost?" are just a few of the irritating responses that I get. It's really frustrating... All because of my "Character Archetype", or as Justin put it. Hanging my head low, I continue along. Oxen are next in the stables, and they're already high in priority after the last fight that almost claimed our lives. Some were hurt in the skirmish, but the majority were able to pull through, with the exception of the back two wagons. Plus, they're the ones literally carrying the big weights the whole time for us. Making a mental note to buy some on my way out, I continue pursuing the selection of animals, until one specific animal catches my eye.
Chickens.
Their extensive clucks. Their familiar and cute movement. Their alluring gaze and usefulness to the farm system. I never get tired of watching them. As I walk over, the majority of them are alerted of my presence, and stare me back in the eyes. "Hey there little fellas..." I softly say, trying to be as gentle as possible with them, since they're not my chickens, who've warmed up to me already. At least I hope, since the CCC front that they carry makes them pretty rebellious against me. "You're coming home with me today..." A wicked smile starts to erupt from my face, and some start to tremble in excitement back. Already eager to be with their new owner... my faith in this trip just might be returning with these new companions with me! My own luck might actually be turning up for me!
Tim
Justin set me up for food, but from what he said, he already has "everything covered". Judging from that, he'd expect me to get everything else but food. So the idea for me? Get food. For myself. That way, I technically am getting food, so Justin can't get mad at me in any way possible. I continue running, knowing that I'm still far in the lead from Justin. I'm physically stronger than him, but he makes up for it in the "supreme intellect" that he claims to possess, not to mention the fourth wall already giving him all the other power he needs. Frankly, I don't want to believe it at all, but he's proven it time and time again in the past, and already has saved our hides enough, mostly his hide, but he's still alive himself, so I can't count anything against him. Other than the horrible luck that tops everything else, he's got a good majority of everything down. That's the worst recipe for disaster, and even I know that. Now back to the matter at hand. I continue running as the sandstorm behind me continues to build up. It probably won't settle for quite a while, so Justin won't know where I am, even with his glasses. Perfect for messing with his so-called "Backup Master Plan". Then he won't be able to predict my next move, and I can call him out on his bluff, again, finally beating him in the metal department once and for all.
Making my way into the food court, I spy a handful of vendors that seem enticing enough to spend Justin's money on. I continue looking through the selection, not particularly finding anything that catches my eye and/or interest. Almost until I reach the very corner of the food court do I spot the peak of interest in the building.
A BuckStars.
I mean, who knew that a small joint in the middle of nowhere selling good refreshments and morning snacks would spiral into a multimillion dollar business? Obviously not Justin, since he didn't invest in it at all. He should've invested in that instead of helping a PunchBacker program for a gun company. I mean, seriously. His recreation takes over in priority over possible millions. If he can predict what can happen this trip, then he should also be able to pay back his debt after taking some stocks out in the market. Then again, he's pretty invested in the Black Market, with Casey and Charlie doing his business. Well, when Charlie was alive and Casey wasn't MIA after his trip to Maximum Security for doing ALL THE DRUGS.
Ugh... waiting for something takes forever... after about an unbearable amount of time passes, I finally make it up the the front of the line. There, I make my way to the counter, and am greeted by the server.
"Welcome to BuckStars. May I take your order?" The barista says, a certain scatterbrained manner to how she conducts herself makes her seem a bit unprofessional.
"An espresso, if I may." I casually say, taking notice of the server's purple hair and size, being about Charlie sized. That's about medium to tall, if you don't get my drift.
"You may," She says, with a small hesitance, probably acknowledging the fact that I used the special phrasing. Using "May" in the sentence was coined by the Yearlings, from Anna and Esther's resident BuckStars, so the server must've worked with that certain restaurant. Maybe another one of the Yearlings that I haven't met yet? Another bit of info that I could easily exploit. She then turns to her side, getting ready to make my order at a whim.
"Timothy, but you may call me Tim." I say, producing my order name before being asked to do so. The empty cup that the server is carrying suddenly drops to the floor, culminating with her turning towards me. A small hint of shock easily visible on her face.
"T-tim?" She says, a little visibly shaken by the mere mentioning of my name. Her eyes meet mine, and I sense a feeling of nostalgia hit my face, soon seeing the cause of it all. I stare her back, and see a blue and yellow pallet. Each color reflected in each eye. A clear sign of someone I worked with before.
"Tim? Timothy... Traveler...?" The server turns to me, revealing the familiar face once more.
"Ivy? Oh this is just golden..." I moan, not expecting Charlie's girlfriend to be working at a BuckStars.
"DANGER STRANGER!" She suddenly shouts, clutching her hand into a fist and punching the daylights out of me. I am unable to react in time to dodge the blow, knocking me out cold, once more.
"DANGER STRANGER!" She suddenly shouts, clutching her hand into a fist and punching the daylights out of me. I am unable to react in time to dodge the blow, knocking me out cold, once more.
Justin
I cough and wheeze. The stupid dust won't stop getting in my way, path, and face. Dust in my shoes, dust in my mouth, dust in my freaking EYES. Stupid glasses don't protect jack squat. Whatever, my phone and internet map have led me far enough, so I should know where the gun shop is. I continue on with a newfound resolve, knowing that relief is just a few hundred feet away, trying my hardest not to slip up throughout the sandstorm. Finally, the dust starts to settle, but Tim is nowhere in sight. "Must've already found his destination... But the food market is further back. He may think that this very peculiar weather might be on his side... but I'm already ahead of him. I'm smarter than he may already think, even though my mental side is usually frowned upon. Either way, I've got all options covered, and soon, the market will literally be covered.
Ft. Laramie was made to be the first main pit stop in our journey, and about the one-fourth point in our grand trip. My initial plan was to get everyone split up into town, each getting supplies that cater to the person. Refuel on guns for me, Tim gets the food supplies, and animals are for Esther. Backup materials, like wagon supplies and such were gonna be covered by Anna, luxuries for TG, and then Charlie would mop up whatever I missed. Since we're missing the other half of the group, I had to resort to Plan B and call my agent in. Otherwise, everything else has been accounted for. So even if Tim doesn't get us food, or Esther only gets us chickens, I don't even have to worry about it.
So, you may or may not be wondering how I thought of all of this, right? And full disclosure here: There was never a fourth wall in this series. Too much effort, time, and money would be wasted trying to build one, and TG already breaks it enough. So I'm just gonna take advantage of what I can get. But it was rather easy. Five years living in the same house as a recluse. Almost no interaction with the world bedsides getting supplies for the good old college diet. Yep. Living the perfect dream. But my plans and predictions so far? About 80% accurate. About. Relative term. If you don't want to include the fact of Charlie horribly dying by an impostor. I don't count that, because it had nothing to do with what I had planned. Honestly! all I wanted to do was try to actually keep ALL of us alive, cause that never happened in the original series, and now it failed again! But hey, it was only one person so far, so better than the past. Not to mention the fact that I still do have the script for the whole plan if I really want... But what fun would it be if I spoiled all the surprises for myself? That's what makes it interesting.
The dust finally settles after a bit, and I get the chance to clean myself off from the dust. The trail is clear in front of me, and the last line of shops in the back is clearly visible. In the front stands the perfect haven for someone like me. FireSale. The number one gun joint in the world for procuring firearms. I myself already supported their PunchBacker Program, so it kept them afloat and let their manager start the business right here. It's a small chain store, but it gets the job done for now. Plus, I'm a Lifetime Member because of all the money that I don't have that I invested in there. Cause it totally makes sense. Don't ask, I know my way around these things. Wiping myself off of the dirt on me, I readjust my glasses and go towards the steel doors, blocking the entrance. With no other hesitation, and nobody stopping me, I push one hand against the door, and force my way into the one true haven for myself. Guns guns guns, here I come.
Esther
"Ehm, I'm sorry. But what?!"
"Sorry kiddo, but we just sold out on chickens just a second ago."
"But... I just saw them... how could they..."
"Well, you kinda dozed off just by looking at them. In the meantime, a purple-haired girl came by and bought them all. Then you came along."
"Seriously...? I'll just take the oxen then..."
I walk out of the store, a bit depressed that I will continue to have no chickens for this trip. Walking over to the parking lot is a slow and quiet walk. Keeping me occupied is only my thoughts, thinking about how somebody could've beat me in the chicken department for feather's sake. Never in my entire life has somebody ever beaten me to the cluck in getting anything chicken related, so that must've been one special gal who loves them more than me. Unimaginable, or at least I thought it was. I sigh once again as I reach the wagon train, and rest the new animals with the old ones. With no other orders, and few regrets, I set my sights for Justin's designated meeting point.
Tim
"Here I am Tim!"
"What freaking took you so long?! I've been waiting here for quite a while now Ivory!"
"Eheheh... I had to settle some stuff with my manager. It's not easy when you're an odd jobber like me, plans always changing."
"Huh, so you're still in that lune of work."
Ivory Capulet. A good friend and a real wildcard in the series. She initially appeared as a special guest back in Season 3, and was a fan favorite ever since, all the way up to the finale in Season 10, coming back with the rest of the guest characters. The thing about that though... most of the guest characters are either dead, or in prison. One way or another. So... yeah. Ivory kinda wins that one by default. The main allures to her popularity though was her personality. Love to her is very important, as easily described by her... obsessive nature over Charlie. Seriously, I'd believe it if she tried to kill someone just for Charlie. It may seem okay to deal with, but combo that with her being bipolar. Then the personality shifts really start to get annoying. Trust me, it's not fun.
"Did you say Charlie?!" She suddenly blurts out, her head so close to me that some of her hair gets in my eyes and mouth.
"GYYUAH?!" I scream, surprised by her actions over my thoughts. Wait, how did she hear my thoughts?! Either way, I don't want to question it, she's clinically insane, a very different case compared to Justin. Ivory waits righting front of me, her upper half above the table separating us. We agreed to a simple chat over coffee when she could get a break. Apparently, it took over half an hour. Either way though, it'll work out in my favor. She must know something that I could use to my advantage against Justin. "Ehm, look. You can't see him right now. He's backstage right now. So I can't do anything for you." I lie, trying my best not to incur her wraith.
"SO HE IS HERE?!" She scoots up even closer, slightly tipping the table. Her face so close to mine, making an awkward tension start to set in for me. Ivory herself doesn't seem unsettled by her actions.
"C-calm down, love for brains! He's freaking working his tail off right now! Do you think he has the time to spare?!" I state in a very demanding-like voice. I can't let her know the truth about Charlie, yes, I'm heartless and all about it, but it's for all of our sakes. An enraged Ivory is dangerous beyond belief. Whatever happens, she CANNOT know.
"O-oh... my bad. Sorry buddy!" She sadly says, before perking her voice up to a very playful tone, as per usual. "So, how's the journey going so far, hun? Going not so well, I presume?" She says, a curious tone now setting foot.
"Eh, Justin's still trying to kill us all, Anna and TG have ditched us, the usual." I casually shrug off the question like it was nothing, continuing to conceal the secrets that Ivory doesn't know. Believe me, it's deep stuff. Season 9 F**ked with our minds with Time Travel BullS**t, and then Season 10 was just a mosh pit with over 15 characters in a single wagon. We have the luxury of multiple wagons this time round, and even then, we're down to three because of the random-a** bandits that completely screwed us over!
"So no fatalities from the Home Team yet? Justin's finished with early season kills?" She says, her eyes growing with anticipation. I sheepishly nod my head, making her sigh. "Well, that's a hype breaker. You guys would get more views if something interesting at least happened!" She snaps a few of her fingers in response to her own question. "The next romance! Justin's untimely death! Fanservice! Announcer Face Reveal! The next Justinpocalypse, that way, I can participate in it, save Charlie's life, and he can FINALLY fall in love with me!" Her quick speech leaves me... speechless.
"Er, right. Had any bandit problems lately?" I try to change the subject quickly before she goes all love-dovy with me.
"Who? Me? Nah, no underhanded means whatsoever. Unless you count the fact that they might've affected a supply convoy. Our usual shipment is running late." She laments in a very over-dramatic tone, looking off in the distance.
"A convoy, you say?" My eyes start to flare up, the importance of this conversation is prime to my survival, and also one-uping Justin. Anything that I can get is still a win in my book.
"Yes. This town is a prime trading site, you know." She says, acting like a teacher trying to give a lecture. "We have a usual supply convoy every few weeks or so, but no real word is given, as the news also comes by through it. Every person in this town benefits from it in one way or another, be it a business or a buyer." She pretends to re-adjust some glasses, even though nothing is on her face.
"Interesting... very very interesti-" *Ring ring ring*
A phone goes off, signaling Ivory to take action.
"He-llo! Ivory here!"
"Yes? Ah, I was on break!"
"A-alright! Be right t-there!!"
Ivory hangs up and hastily starts collecting herself and her belongings. "Wait, work already? I thought that your shift would be over by now! It's been past lunch time for quite a while now!" My pleas only prompt Ivory to answer, her side turned towards me. "Ehm, business stuff! Odd jobs, sorry! Gotta go!" She says, flustered by her current situation. Without any hesitation, she takes off, leaving nothing but the money for the tab. I blink a few times before getting up to move. "
Whatever, weirdo... She's still as weird as ever, but I can't blame her. It's her own choice to be in that line of work. Now to meet up with the other two, and reap what I've sown!"
Justin
"You've gotta be kidding me, right?"
"No can do Justin. These are models only. We're completely sold out."
The store lays almost empty at the many shelves. Only with the back wall and display cases being filled with almost useless replicas. I stand in front of the owner, mortified by the facts laid out in from of me. "How do the demands for guns suddenly go so far up?!" I ask, trying to wrap my head around the situation. "It wasn't the whole market." The manager simply replies. "It was just one person." "Really?! Who the heck is that much of a fanatic, MORE than me?!" The manager looks to the sky. "I remember it like it was yesterday... Back in Nam." I chuckle a bit before he stares back at me with a serious expression. "Ahah... right..." I take a gulp of saliva before speaking again. "Right, go on." The manager looks back to the skies once again. "She came into the shop, looking around like a paranoid soldier. She would've fit the role, if it wasn't for her purple hair, making her stick out more than any camo I sport. I asked her what she wanted, and her reply? I want the whole store. Price isn't a factor." I reel back in horror as the manager just silently nods at my reaction. "So she bought the whole store out. All stock, all the stuff in the back, and even the ammo dump. This happened a few weeks back, and it was the first time I ever saw her, so she must have been new around town." I try to think logically, figuring out whatever I can about the mysterious buyer. "But don't you have anything at all? My membership shouldn't go to waste here!" I reason, trying to at least get something out of my pitstop. He just shakes his head from side to side. "Nope. I only have this twelve gage here in case a robber tries to steal the displays. Otherwise, you're outta luck." The manager motions towards the doors, gripping the shotgun close to his body. "I know you're a close member ever since the PunchBacker Program, but until the latest shipment arrives, you can't get anything. Now I'm gonna close up shop for now." I sigh, then turn around to the steel doors. "Alrighty, see ya then, Sam. Take care." I simply say, still pondering over the fact that I made no profit over today.
Leaving the shop, I let my brain do the heavy-lifting. This is an interesting development, thanks to Sammy. A new girl to town, sporting the biggest arsenal around. Purple hair could point to Ivory, but she's been off the grid for five years, like me. So that would also mix things up pretty badly. Not in my plans at all. Lower that reliability percentage to 70%. Well, things are slowly going to crap for me. At the very least, my agent can take care of everything wrong with this picture. It's not even scratching the surface of the surface of the backup and other supplies that I've got prepared in case of an emergency. Hopefully then, will this trip get back on track. And hopefully, everyone else did their assigned jobs...
Phew, what a mouthful. I'll need a good drink to refresh myself.
Now, TO THE BAR!
AWAYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Ft. Laramie was made to be the first main pit stop in our journey, and about the one-fourth point in our grand trip. My initial plan was to get everyone split up into town, each getting supplies that cater to the person. Refuel on guns for me, Tim gets the food supplies, and animals are for Esther. Backup materials, like wagon supplies and such were gonna be covered by Anna, luxuries for TG, and then Charlie would mop up whatever I missed. Since we're missing the other half of the group, I had to resort to Plan B and call my agent in. Otherwise, everything else has been accounted for. So even if Tim doesn't get us food, or Esther only gets us chickens, I don't even have to worry about it.
So, you may or may not be wondering how I thought of all of this, right? And full disclosure here: There was never a fourth wall in this series. Too much effort, time, and money would be wasted trying to build one, and TG already breaks it enough. So I'm just gonna take advantage of what I can get. But it was rather easy. Five years living in the same house as a recluse. Almost no interaction with the world bedsides getting supplies for the good old college diet. Yep. Living the perfect dream. But my plans and predictions so far? About 80% accurate. About. Relative term. If you don't want to include the fact of Charlie horribly dying by an impostor. I don't count that, because it had nothing to do with what I had planned. Honestly! all I wanted to do was try to actually keep ALL of us alive, cause that never happened in the original series, and now it failed again! But hey, it was only one person so far, so better than the past. Not to mention the fact that I still do have the script for the whole plan if I really want... But what fun would it be if I spoiled all the surprises for myself? That's what makes it interesting.
The dust finally settles after a bit, and I get the chance to clean myself off from the dust. The trail is clear in front of me, and the last line of shops in the back is clearly visible. In the front stands the perfect haven for someone like me. FireSale. The number one gun joint in the world for procuring firearms. I myself already supported their PunchBacker Program, so it kept them afloat and let their manager start the business right here. It's a small chain store, but it gets the job done for now. Plus, I'm a Lifetime Member because of all the money that I don't have that I invested in there. Cause it totally makes sense. Don't ask, I know my way around these things. Wiping myself off of the dirt on me, I readjust my glasses and go towards the steel doors, blocking the entrance. With no other hesitation, and nobody stopping me, I push one hand against the door, and force my way into the one true haven for myself. Guns guns guns, here I come.
Esther
"Ehm, I'm sorry. But what?!"
"Sorry kiddo, but we just sold out on chickens just a second ago."
"But... I just saw them... how could they..."
"Well, you kinda dozed off just by looking at them. In the meantime, a purple-haired girl came by and bought them all. Then you came along."
"Seriously...? I'll just take the oxen then..."
I walk out of the store, a bit depressed that I will continue to have no chickens for this trip. Walking over to the parking lot is a slow and quiet walk. Keeping me occupied is only my thoughts, thinking about how somebody could've beat me in the chicken department for feather's sake. Never in my entire life has somebody ever beaten me to the cluck in getting anything chicken related, so that must've been one special gal who loves them more than me. Unimaginable, or at least I thought it was. I sigh once again as I reach the wagon train, and rest the new animals with the old ones. With no other orders, and few regrets, I set my sights for Justin's designated meeting point.
Tim
"Here I am Tim!"
"What freaking took you so long?! I've been waiting here for quite a while now Ivory!"
"Eheheh... I had to settle some stuff with my manager. It's not easy when you're an odd jobber like me, plans always changing."
"Huh, so you're still in that lune of work."
Ivory Capulet. A good friend and a real wildcard in the series. She initially appeared as a special guest back in Season 3, and was a fan favorite ever since, all the way up to the finale in Season 10, coming back with the rest of the guest characters. The thing about that though... most of the guest characters are either dead, or in prison. One way or another. So... yeah. Ivory kinda wins that one by default. The main allures to her popularity though was her personality. Love to her is very important, as easily described by her... obsessive nature over Charlie. Seriously, I'd believe it if she tried to kill someone just for Charlie. It may seem okay to deal with, but combo that with her being bipolar. Then the personality shifts really start to get annoying. Trust me, it's not fun.
"Did you say Charlie?!" She suddenly blurts out, her head so close to me that some of her hair gets in my eyes and mouth.
"GYYUAH?!" I scream, surprised by her actions over my thoughts. Wait, how did she hear my thoughts?! Either way, I don't want to question it, she's clinically insane, a very different case compared to Justin. Ivory waits righting front of me, her upper half above the table separating us. We agreed to a simple chat over coffee when she could get a break. Apparently, it took over half an hour. Either way though, it'll work out in my favor. She must know something that I could use to my advantage against Justin. "Ehm, look. You can't see him right now. He's backstage right now. So I can't do anything for you." I lie, trying my best not to incur her wraith.
"SO HE IS HERE?!" She scoots up even closer, slightly tipping the table. Her face so close to mine, making an awkward tension start to set in for me. Ivory herself doesn't seem unsettled by her actions.
"C-calm down, love for brains! He's freaking working his tail off right now! Do you think he has the time to spare?!" I state in a very demanding-like voice. I can't let her know the truth about Charlie, yes, I'm heartless and all about it, but it's for all of our sakes. An enraged Ivory is dangerous beyond belief. Whatever happens, she CANNOT know.
"O-oh... my bad. Sorry buddy!" She sadly says, before perking her voice up to a very playful tone, as per usual. "So, how's the journey going so far, hun? Going not so well, I presume?" She says, a curious tone now setting foot.
"Eh, Justin's still trying to kill us all, Anna and TG have ditched us, the usual." I casually shrug off the question like it was nothing, continuing to conceal the secrets that Ivory doesn't know. Believe me, it's deep stuff. Season 9 F**ked with our minds with Time Travel BullS**t, and then Season 10 was just a mosh pit with over 15 characters in a single wagon. We have the luxury of multiple wagons this time round, and even then, we're down to three because of the random-a** bandits that completely screwed us over!
"So no fatalities from the Home Team yet? Justin's finished with early season kills?" She says, her eyes growing with anticipation. I sheepishly nod my head, making her sigh. "Well, that's a hype breaker. You guys would get more views if something interesting at least happened!" She snaps a few of her fingers in response to her own question. "The next romance! Justin's untimely death! Fanservice! Announcer Face Reveal! The next Justinpocalypse, that way, I can participate in it, save Charlie's life, and he can FINALLY fall in love with me!" Her quick speech leaves me... speechless.
"Er, right. Had any bandit problems lately?" I try to change the subject quickly before she goes all love-dovy with me.
"Who? Me? Nah, no underhanded means whatsoever. Unless you count the fact that they might've affected a supply convoy. Our usual shipment is running late." She laments in a very over-dramatic tone, looking off in the distance.
"A convoy, you say?" My eyes start to flare up, the importance of this conversation is prime to my survival, and also one-uping Justin. Anything that I can get is still a win in my book.
"Yes. This town is a prime trading site, you know." She says, acting like a teacher trying to give a lecture. "We have a usual supply convoy every few weeks or so, but no real word is given, as the news also comes by through it. Every person in this town benefits from it in one way or another, be it a business or a buyer." She pretends to re-adjust some glasses, even though nothing is on her face.
"Interesting... very very interesti-" *Ring ring ring*
A phone goes off, signaling Ivory to take action.
"He-llo! Ivory here!"
"Yes? Ah, I was on break!"
"A-alright! Be right t-there!!"
Ivory hangs up and hastily starts collecting herself and her belongings. "Wait, work already? I thought that your shift would be over by now! It's been past lunch time for quite a while now!" My pleas only prompt Ivory to answer, her side turned towards me. "Ehm, business stuff! Odd jobs, sorry! Gotta go!" She says, flustered by her current situation. Without any hesitation, she takes off, leaving nothing but the money for the tab. I blink a few times before getting up to move. "
Whatever, weirdo... She's still as weird as ever, but I can't blame her. It's her own choice to be in that line of work. Now to meet up with the other two, and reap what I've sown!"
Justin
"You've gotta be kidding me, right?"
"No can do Justin. These are models only. We're completely sold out."
The store lays almost empty at the many shelves. Only with the back wall and display cases being filled with almost useless replicas. I stand in front of the owner, mortified by the facts laid out in from of me. "How do the demands for guns suddenly go so far up?!" I ask, trying to wrap my head around the situation. "It wasn't the whole market." The manager simply replies. "It was just one person." "Really?! Who the heck is that much of a fanatic, MORE than me?!" The manager looks to the sky. "I remember it like it was yesterday... Back in Nam." I chuckle a bit before he stares back at me with a serious expression. "Ahah... right..." I take a gulp of saliva before speaking again. "Right, go on." The manager looks back to the skies once again. "She came into the shop, looking around like a paranoid soldier. She would've fit the role, if it wasn't for her purple hair, making her stick out more than any camo I sport. I asked her what she wanted, and her reply? I want the whole store. Price isn't a factor." I reel back in horror as the manager just silently nods at my reaction. "So she bought the whole store out. All stock, all the stuff in the back, and even the ammo dump. This happened a few weeks back, and it was the first time I ever saw her, so she must have been new around town." I try to think logically, figuring out whatever I can about the mysterious buyer. "But don't you have anything at all? My membership shouldn't go to waste here!" I reason, trying to at least get something out of my pitstop. He just shakes his head from side to side. "Nope. I only have this twelve gage here in case a robber tries to steal the displays. Otherwise, you're outta luck." The manager motions towards the doors, gripping the shotgun close to his body. "I know you're a close member ever since the PunchBacker Program, but until the latest shipment arrives, you can't get anything. Now I'm gonna close up shop for now." I sigh, then turn around to the steel doors. "Alrighty, see ya then, Sam. Take care." I simply say, still pondering over the fact that I made no profit over today.
Leaving the shop, I let my brain do the heavy-lifting. This is an interesting development, thanks to Sammy. A new girl to town, sporting the biggest arsenal around. Purple hair could point to Ivory, but she's been off the grid for five years, like me. So that would also mix things up pretty badly. Not in my plans at all. Lower that reliability percentage to 70%. Well, things are slowly going to crap for me. At the very least, my agent can take care of everything wrong with this picture. It's not even scratching the surface of the surface of the backup and other supplies that I've got prepared in case of an emergency. Hopefully then, will this trip get back on track. And hopefully, everyone else did their assigned jobs...
Phew, what a mouthful. I'll need a good drink to refresh myself.
Now, TO THE BAR!
AWAYYYYYYYYYYYYY
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