Ain't Talkin'

Parmiskus rolled in. The low, brick buildings and greasy-windowed storefronts were as at home in Parmiskus as they would have been anywhere in the post-catastrophe. People milled about, doing their daily things, shopping at vendor stalls, picking through the detritus metal piles along the road and fixing shoddy meals over fires in oil drums. Some folks took notice of a Corporation troop transport but paid little mind. Unless someone was actively taking the food out of their hands or offering these people money, they were just as at home keeping their business to themselves.

“We’ll go back to my apartment, then?” Markus asked, starting to turn down a street. Roche ripped the steering wheel back into place and shot Alex Markus a look.

“Idiot. No. You used to live here while you worked, nothing more now then to get you back to the Res. Mostly because they didn’t make it clear where to drop you off when I was done with you.”

“You’re done with me then?”

“Second the Res picks you up from me, I am. Stop at this saloon.” Roche pointed out a red-faced building that had a tall facade. It was one Roche had gathered information at when he’d first started asking around about Alex Markus. It stuck out in his mind as one that had plenty of dark corners and a bar at the back of the room, anyone waltzing in would have to cross the entire room to order a drink, long enough for Roche to size them up.

“Why this one? I’ve been here, it’s disgusting.”

“Then that’s precisely why. Park out front, I’ll get the horse out. You don’t go in until I do.”

Markus parked sidelong in front of the red saloon and took the keys out of the ignition. Roche undid the tailgate and walked Lucky down to the side of the building where there was an old lamppost to tie her to. He fed her a mouthful of the salted meat that she seemed to continue to strangely enjoy and tipped his hat. “Be back in a little, sweetheart.” Roche waved Markus over and the two went into the saloon to join the remainder of Parmiskus who preferred a morning drink.