Monday, July 23, 2012

Driving Lesson Chapter 1 Page 3

"Hey, Squirt!" called a tall woman with ebony skin and short black hair. There was the logo of a red fox's grinning head over a background of a gray cloud on her ceramic breastplate. It was Tricia. "I was hoping you'd be here."

"Squirt!?" blurted the bald man. He thrust a finger at George. "Is that your new member, Vixen?"

"You can sort of say that," Tricia told him.

The other three men at the table snorted and chuckled. "You're interested in small men?" asked the unshaven man.

"Oh, and you wanted to take him out to dinner!" teased the spiky-haired man, "And hold his hand..."

The bald man reached forward and gave the spiky-haired person a hard shove. "Shut up!"

The spiky-haired man pushed back his stool and stood abruptly. "Hey, that was uncalled for!"

The bald man too rose to his feet. "Well I don't like what you're saying about me!"

"It's the truth!" retorted spiky-haired man, "You said it!"

"Bar fight!" The announcement came from the other side of the bar. For no apparent reason or logic.

There were only maybe twenty or so patrons at the bar that early in the morning. It just meant that there was more room to maneuver in the good fight. Fists and furniture started flying.

Tricia slipped next to George. "We should leave," she said as she calmly assessed the chaos.

George was busy dodging airborne stools and glasses. "Yes, please."

Tricia grabbed him by the collar and started pushing her way to the exit. She shouldered a man out of the way. She blocked a fist swung her way and delivered a blow to the assailant's midriff. Then she ducked under a thrown mug of metal.

They reached the exit safely. Once outside, the tall woman released her grip on George and allowed him to walk normally. George followed along the sidewalk beside the street.

They turned at the end of the block. "How'd you like to learn to drive?" Tricia asked.

"I already know how," George replied.

"Driving in the wasteland is different from driving in the city," Tricia said, "It'll be good practice for you."

George thought about it. True, his first ride in the wasteland was exciting and it would be fun to learn to drive on uneven terrain. But the wasteland was a dangerous place. He had been shot at the last time he was out there. Then again, there might be more exciting things for him to discover, perhaps a mystery or some strange event worth watching.

An Enforcer van passed, no doubt filled with officers in riot-control gear. It headed in the direction of Sandy's Last Hand.

"Are we raiding another tower or something again?" George asked.

Tricia shook her head. "Just out for a drive, letting you get the hang of it. It would be handy to have someone else who can drive. Io can't, not that she needs to."

"And, uh, if we happen to find any treasure or something during our drive?" George asked. It was a serious consideration.

"Still having an eye on wealth and riches, huh," Tricia teased with a smile, "It'll be the same deal as before."

Which meant George would get the usual one-quarter of a full share. Which would not make him rich fast. The Scarlet Vixens were really taking advantage of his inexperience to cut back on his hiring fee.

"I'll have to tell Papa first," George replied.

"He's okay with the last time?" Tricia asked.

George nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay, then. Get down to our garage as soon as you can." Tricia glanced at the time on her wristcom. "Uh, better make it in an hour."

"Okay," George agreed.

***


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