Looking over the railing, Marco could feel the wind on his face. Funny, looking down at everything from up there. Those little square patches where people lived and died, fucked and cried, it all seemed silly.
Feeling a soft warmth squeezing his arm, he looked over at his companion and decided he liked that view better. She was perfect. He had always thought so, ever since they were kids. It was just like in one of the old romance stories, Beauty and the Beast and the like. He always liked it when his ma read that one to him.
She was wearing a skintight scaled silver top emphasizing a near-impossible cleavage, a dark fur coat, and a large brown space diamond dangling from a gold chain around her neck. Giving her free reign to go shopping had set him back quite a bit, but it was worth it to see her smile.
“That fur looks great on you, dollface!” He said with a smile, but sudden realization turned it into a frown. “Ya know, uh…He helped set up the whole thing, getting you on board and the plan and stuff… And it especially has an entry ‘ere sayin’ not to show nuthin’ not befitting class. He even underlined it and wrote Ira next to it, then circled the Ira.”
“What’s the point of havin’ fur if the whole world don’t know ya have it?”
“You know you can always still wear ‘em for me, sweetie.”
She rolled her eyes. “Why do we have to follow that piece of paper, huh? Can’t ya think fer yerself?”
“It’s just that…ya know…I think he thought it out.”
“Is he the boss of you?”
Marco puffed up his chest. No one was the boss of him, not anymore.
She hugged his arm more firmly. “He’s just out for yer money, ya know. Marco, I love you, but you are such a lug.”
“Luv ya too, but y’re wrong about him. He refused to take any money, didn’t even take any for this lovely fake! I‘m sure he’s on the level. Me and ‘im we go way back.”
“That doesn’t mean nuthin’. For all you know, he just set this as a trap for ya, gonna make a tidy sum off yer hide. Bet he told ya to be careful with your spending cuz he’s got a deal to collect on the rest after the hunter has his way. That’s why he didn’t want ya to just live it up with me for a while, then lie low in a shelter. Knew you’d blow yer wad that way. Sick man, that Gram. I can ken folk like that.”
“Yeah, how?.”
“ ‘Cause of my work, all kinds ya meet there, you get to see what they’re really like.”
Marco tried to shift away from her, but she clung onto his arm even more intensely.
“But you saved me from all that, didn’t ya, my big strong knight? You’ll keep me safe, won’cha?”
Marco wrested his arm free, turning to look down at her. “Me and ‘im we go way back. An’ it says here we shouldn’t use his name. Nor yours. Nor mine.”
“Blow it out yer ass, Marco! If you wanna play the lapdog, fine! Be Alex! But I ain’t gonna be no Daisy. Plenty of Ira’s in Winslet. I know ya said you ain’t got a penny to yer name, but I ain’t daft enough to not do some basic accounting. All he’s trying to do, luv, is make things miserable fer us! He doesn’t like me and wants your pot all to ‘is self.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders squeezing the soft fur slightly. “That’s Alex. Did you fall on the ‘ead there, my dear Daisy?”
Ira paused and then put one hand on his chest, “Aww mah big strong bear, you jus’ got such a kind trustin’ heart! I don’t wantcha to be taken advantage of, is all.” She ran her fingers down his chest, “An’ for this trip, I’ll be your Daisy, just like on the manifest, your little daughter, mister.” She giggled, “But I dun’t have one of them fancy IDs like urs. Mine jus’ says plain ol’ Ira. So wouldn’t that be safer?”
“I guess…sorry, jus’…ya know, I can be a bit defensive ‘bout ‘im. He’s a good bloke, bit of an ass but good.”
The Note In Alex’s Pocket
So You Are Dense and Want to Not Die Horribly
A Gram Guide
– Do not show other people this note (Including and especially Ira)
– Don’t take Ira with you
– I know you are still going to take her with you, but just be careful with her, okay?
– Remember, even if you think no one is listening, don’t bring up any name closely related to yourself, especially not your own name. You-Alex Ira-Daisy Me-Mr. Green Luna-Rei
– I know you are still flush with coin but do not under any circumstances show it! No expensive clothes, or hooch, or anything else not befitting of your class. This goes double if not triple for Ira!!!
– Get a job as soon as possible. Imagine how it would look if some copper just moved to a new city and proceeded to escape the toil. No such thing a copper with early retirement. Upper Winslet Mining Company should be looking for warm bodies
– It might occur to you that even though your contract is no-fight, you could still buy weapons using your new ID. Don’t
– Keep the sealed note with you at all times. If you are found, hand it to the hunter, try to act casual, and play along
– Don’t under any circumstances open the note
– Don’t try to contact me or Luna or anyone else. If you must, leave a message for Mr. Green with the Alchemist, ask for our friend Jim. Emergencies only
– Remember, we’ll miss you ya daft bastard, do your best to follow this list and try not to get yourself bloody killed. Just keep that big blockhead of yours down for King’s sake!
Homo Economicish 