The King of Boston

Chapter 10: Lafoy against the world - round 1

November 9, 2287, Dugout Inn

The gentle melodies of Bob Crosby's Happy times echoed through the Dugout Inn, as I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling. A small ray of light peered through the a hole in the wall, speckles of dust dancing along with the music.

I could hear the other patrons gathering at the bar, listening to the russian's far fetched stories of giant "Mirrrelurrrkz" and his famous booze. It was almost like old times, as if nothing had ever happened.

I'll admit that I was utterly disappointed to discover that this grand city was nothing more than a collection of crappy shacks, neon lights and a scared but generally happy, complacent people. I shouldn't complain really, I'm in the good graces of the press, the government and already have a clue as to where I'm going to find my kind of entrepreneurs. This was almost too easy.

Piper gave me but a short tour before dropping me off at the dugout Inn, but she had given me all the information I needed. The merchants were all in the mayor's pocket, the Mayor was in the stands' pocket and the rest of the people dreamt of bigger things but were either too scared or too complacent to do anything about it. Nothing strange really. Diamond city was just like any pre-war city, but small. One hell of a lot smaller.

I looked at the blonde beauty sleeping next to me. The Mayor had really pulled all the strings he could afford to. What an idiot. Although the company of his secretary was most appreciated last night. It had been a while since I had the pleasure of sharing a bottle of wine with such a beautiful young lady. What a silver tongue and a well pressed suit won't do for a resourceful man.

She waltzed in here last night, while I was enjoying a cigar and listening to one of my tapes. C'est si bon, by Louis Armstrong. She opened the door, stepped in and without any form of hesitation dropped down her trenchcoat. She had clearly done this before. I wonder how often the Mayor has included these services in her job description. Way too often probably.

Despite the fact that I hadn't slept with anyone in over two centuries, I refused. I had wanted to swindle the mayor. I had no need for the body of his secretary. We did however lengthily discuss the comings and goings of the people from the mayor's offices. Apparently the man was accepting bribes on all sides; organised crime, the famous 1%, and even a more mysterious group of benefactors which were only ever contacted through a courier.

She moaned as I made my way out of the bed, I had offered her to join me in my room so she wouldn't be spotted outside; drunk as she was. But in reality it was mostly to let the mayor believe I had accepted his gift. She would probably not even remember what exactly happened the night before.

I stumbled towards the sink in the corner of the room and tried to have a drink. I may have had one or two glasses of wine too many yesterday. I hated being hungover, that nagging headache had been the bane of my existence in my vault when I still had wine, but that had been years ago. Immortal as I was, I was going to have to admit I'd most certainly lost the habit, and the associated resistance. I opened the tap; broken of course. It probably had been for centuries. I still had to get used to a few things if I was to call this bleak future my home.

I looked at the shattered mirror and to my surprise, and old, near unrecognizable man stared back at me. Damn, that was me? How long had it been since my last dose? Way too long most likely. I didn"t look like this last night. I couldn't go around town like this, people would start asking questions, Piper or the mayor specifically. I couldn't let that happen. My suit, where was my suit?

I turned around and scanned the room, only to find it hanging over an old chair. I searched it and instinctively found the secret compartment in the lining. Every suit I owned had one of these, it was great to smuggle small doses of drugs through surveillance or to hide an extra gun or knife in case of need. But from now on they would be used to carry a dose of serum. I pulled out the syringe and cringed; I still hated the feeling. I'll admit it wasn't without a certain degree of hesitation but I plunged the syringe into my chest. I could feel my bloodstream accelerate as the serum breached my heart. The pain ran through my body like an electric shock. Immortality came at a price and it was clear what that would be: Pain.