i_hench (i_hench) wrote in we_coexist, @ 2008-04-30 15:36:00 |
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Current mood: | annoyed |
Entry tags: | 21, 24, jack mcfarland, zz:status complete |
We're not in Ohio any more (open)
"What gives? I thought the Monarch was supposed to send us an escort." 21 pulled at the leg of his yellow shorts, which had ridden up on him during the long bus ride.
"You wish," droned a weary henchman 24. "The Monarch wouldn't shell out for expanded basic cable. What makes you think he'll send us a prostitute?"
"No, an escort. Like a ride back to the cocoon so we don't have to schlep these bags all the way there. We haven't even seen the new place."
24 regarded his shorter cohort with skepticism. "Schlep? What are you, Jewish now?"
"Schlep is a good word. I'll use it if I want. I heard you say 'grok' the other day."
"'Grok' doesn't belong to a historically oppressed people."
"I beg to differ, my good man."
"Whatever. I'm gonna give the Monarch a call."
24 snapped off his butterfly-shaped belt buckle and looked at the back of it. He pressed one of a variety of unmarked buttons and held the device to his ear.
Nothing but a few mysterious, low clicks.
Suddenly, a series of shrill, electronic tones screeched in his ear. "Urrgh!" He pulled the device away from his head, wincing.
"What is it? Are they dying? Curse my metal body, I wasn't fast enough!" 21 proceeded to raise his hands in surrender and totter around stiffly. "Oh, nooo!"
"Shut up! It's a fax machine. Maybe Doctor Girlfriend's done some infrastructure changes."
21 ceased his skillful impersonation of a robot. "About time. But what do we do for a ride?"
"We'll just call a cab," suggested 24. "We can ask around, see if anyone's spotted butterflies coming out of the sewer. Can't be that hard to find the entrance to a secret lair under Cincinnati." Agreeing, the duo picked up their baggage - 21 his camping backpack, and 24 his Army duffel - and stepped out of the strangely empty bus terminal.
Outside, a metropolis towered and buzzed around them. To their left, the city grew into huge skyscrapers about a mile away, and a few blocks in front of them, an expansive harbor twinkled in the setting sun.
"Aw, damnit! We got on the wrong bus." 24 threw his duffel down on the sidewalk.
"Where are we? Metropolis?" 21 flagged down a passer-by. "Hey, there. What city is this?"