The Dead Scout's Handbook of Afterlife Survival

Chapter 34: Sergei 2: Cruise Control

After passing dozens of saloons, four sheriff's offices, and a few brothels (a laundromat, a cell phone store and one that might actually have been a brothel), the group reached two brick structures. The first had an open roof and was more of a two-story wall than a building. The second was three stories tall and stretched a couple hundred yards in width, topped by a triangular tower with a circular window in the center. Broad, blanched, stone steps rose to the second story at its center, ushering visitors through four, cherry, double doors.

"That would be the Town Hall."

"Amazing!" Charlie said. "How many people reside here?"

"100,000-200,000, depending on season... I suppose enough to call it a city. Pirene is larger. Most recent report I heard was at 5.8 million." Charlie whistled and even Sarah's eyebrows lifted at the number.

"Do they all live here?" Cayden asked.

Martha furrowed her brow then understood. "Not permanently. A lot of them share houses split over the year. Some are children living at the schools and about 70,000 reside in Cody year-round."

"So why are we here? And where are the beds and books?"

"We're here to not be here, Sarah. That's the transporter," Martha finished, pointing to the tall, brick surface.

"So we won't stay in Cody?" Rebecca's words bled disappointment.

"No point. We need to find you kids some jobs and get you orientationed."

"You mean oriented?"

"Well, they call it that. I call it orientationed since you experience the wonder of a bureaucratic orientation and still have no idea where you are. You'll receive an intro to what this place is, how you can fit in, general advice etc, etc. You'll hear speeches from a bunch of sods and a great fellow by the name of Vin. They do one every month. You'll also procure a newbie stipend to cover living expenses, rent for a few months, and some extra to live the life Pirene plans for you."

"So we're leaving? We spent months getting here and we're leaving?" Charlie protested, having caught on Rebecca's disappointment.

"Not today. We'll book a trip here and we leave when available." She shooed them to the stone staircase.

More marble statues adorned the interior, these commemorating the first of Cody's transplants. The majority appeared middle-aged and none had any evidence of crow's feet, bagged eyes or scarring from life or laceration.

The vaulted ceiling under the tower gripped a thick, gold chain dangling to a spherical, glass ball displaying the hour from any direction. Landscape paintings covered the surfaces of every wall, save for a hallway extending deep into the building on the left. Four sets of transparent doors passed to a corridor on the right, where numerous, intentionally shambled, ticketing booths sat on each side. Inside the booths, bright eyed, neatly groomed cowboys and cowgirls waited with welcoming grins. Martha took the lead in conversation with a curly-haired, brunette cowgirl watching with soft, brown eyes.

"Five to Pirene, please."

"That's wonderful! Such a fancy city, that Pirene. I'd be a darn fool to not want to go there! So, what level? First class, premium, deluxe?"

"Aside from myself, they're new here, so..."

"Oh yes, the complimentary tickets." Maintaining her bright smile, her nose crinkled a bit. "I'll grab them there IDs," she extended her hand as everyone set their IDs in her open palm along with a small sum of cash Martha added for herself. The cowgirl fiddled with the cards behind the desk and passed them to Martha who distributed them appropriately. "And here y'all are!" her enthusiasm returned as she gave Martha a stack of stubs. "Your complimentary tickets are scheduled in three days at noon pending any emergencies or urgent meetings. They are also subject to change depending on schedules of higher class tickets. Should your trip be canceled, replacement stubs are issued based on availability. The city of Cody is not liable for belongings or limbs lost in transit. Thank you so much and y'all don't be causing any trouble now!"