"Yeah, if you don't mind, Last. A quick word, yeah." I acknowledge June's reception. Not nearly the hostile reception I got from the 'Zons and its appreciated even if she prolly doesn't know I think so. "June, I stumbled upon something that might in…
Esco?!? What the... Well, now, isn't this a surprise. I guess I need to ask him if he wants his fancy forks back.
I spot Last amid a crowd that includes June. Ugh. I'd rather storm a 0.50-cal on a van than approach that table. Instead, I crack …
I walk into The Pit, because I have to. It's not the kinda place I like to hang out. First of all there's lots of people. And it's noisy. Loud. And I'm not one for sitting around and drinking, either. First of all, the mask makes drinking almost imp…
I stop dead-track, like the weight of her question was an anchor suddenly dragging me to a halt. Why am I helping her? I've just been reacting without thinking, but I do know why I'm helping her.
"Lotsa reasons, prolly, but I ain't gonna get into …
Blazes! Just a jingle? I got that in a trunk of an old car back at the 'yard! "Square to the root," I say nodding. "I'll be back later with the gun and the jingle."
I exit the shop and collect Mimi, telling her I gotta stop real quick at The Pit …
I approach Newton. I ain't one for small talk, so I cut right to the chase and get down to business. "Hey, I got a big fifty-caliber that needs fixin'. It was werkin' fine until I fell off a van with it, and I think I bent it up. I hear from a buddy…
"And what?" The silence lingers a few seconds as I'm trying to figure out what she thinks is gonna happen. "Ohhh! Naw, I ain't one of them rootin' tootin' cowboys if that's what's eatin' at ya. You'll be safe there. Blazes, I prolly won't even be ou…
Everybody wants to get even. Just another gang banger gone wrong song. Still, I have a bit of soft place for the destitute, homeless, and abandoned. I draw back, less invasive, but the wrench slips out from the carabiner clip on my belt and into on…
"Don't tell me to fug off!" I growl and hiss back, my mask moving to within inches of her cloaked face. "You weren't here when all us went into that tent, but here you are now like a big ole' horse fly seein' whatcha can see. I'm gonna ask you one m…
I stop and take a good long look at the beggar girl.* Could just be Tum Tum's eyes and ears making sure no one gets sideways. But, it could also be that June has picked up a tracker....
I walk in front of her focused glare, shielding the tent from …
I nod as Last leaves the tent. Hard news and she's in another pickle. I'll give her a little time, plus I got some other quick business to attend to...
I look at June and Roth. I've seen that ashen look that's on Roth's face now many times before. …
Looking at June, "Yeah, the Palace is all that... until he bores with you and turns you over to his cowboys, and then they string you out on dope and make you do jobs down at the junkyard...." I trail off for a moment battling the silence, not wanti…
I turn to look at Last after hearing Tum drop the mic. "Sounds about right. This is what he does. What he's been doin' with me and countless others I'm guessin'. I've done you wrong, Foster's done you wrong, but don't mean anybody did it of their ow…
I reach into my momma's purse, a floral clutch with a crossbody shoulder strap, dirtied and worn by years of use and exposure to the sun and sand, and I pull out a barter and toss it to Tum Tum the way a coach throws a ball at you hoping you aren't …
Ah, so Roth is still rhymin and stealin, but working for this June now. Sounds like a new operation that's started up... I nod at Roth and cast a look at June, looking her up and down trying to figure out where the jingle is in all of that. Flying …
After we spit and clasp hands affirming our mutual but tenuous alliance, Last took an old can of red spray paint, and marked the mish-mash of small desert animal pelts and discarded riot gear sewn together with bailing wire that I wear on my chest. …
I make a quick glance at Motley, trying to read his reaction to Last's offer, but then I realize it doesn't matter.
"More than square to the root, Last." I pause for moment, licking my dry lips and raising a hand to shield my eyes from the blaring …
Nodding as she describes Lala's character, I rip off my mask and toss it to the ground. Mainly because I don't want Pops to hear this, but also since they've all seen me anyway. I'm way less aggressive and threatening without it on. "What she did to…
"It's all true, Last. Every last bit of what Mot said. You shoulda heard it from the grapevine, and I swear I was plannin' on tellin' ya out at the junkyard when we planted her, but it just didn't work out that way."
I regret what I did to Lala, b…
Hell's Bells. Last planted her without me. "Alright, I'll follow you to the garage, then."
I start to walk, but then stop and ask Tesla one more thing, "Hey, you know a smith in the Depot that can fix a .50-cal no questions no snitching?"
I don't have the time or the desire to explain I don't care about Ziggy anymore. "Where is she?" I growl again, and when I see a confused look on his face, "Lala? Her body was in swagman. Where did the Crue park swagman? What did you do with her whi…
Lala! No doubt they'll all be comin' for me when they find out it was me that killed Lala. I'm walking a torrid pace with Tesla in tow to nowhere in particular, just trying to walk off the pain of hearing her name again. "Fug Ziggy." I growl. "But I…
I look at the Fipper quizzically, "Prisoner? I'm ain't no prisoner. I live here. And I ain't rhymin and stealing either, this gear's mine." I present the fresh scabbed pockmarks and burns on my arms, " I'm checking outta here and I'll be on my way. …
"Terrence, huh? Aight, hope ya know whatcha doing, Pops." Who the fug is Terrence? But if Pops really is who Lala says he is, then these fippers must be his back pocket...
I look around one more time and gird up my best act like you've been here be…
"Hey, Pops. I got fugged up pretty bad taking on Ziggy and her cowboys, and had to get patched up by some sawbones. Not exactly sure how I got here.... Need your help, though, Pops. There's a fipper there near where my wrench and stick are... do you…