Texas Wired

CHAPTER 1: Pauling Here, Contract.

The sweaty texan heat wet down my hair to my forehead, lucky for me though, my hair was cut short right as I moved down towards the south after coming from the north. The temperature change was something I was not used to, yet I knew very well I'd have to adjust sooner rather than later if I would want to do this job.

While the advertisement did not specify what job it would be precisely, It did briefly mention the requirements and .. more than satisfactory pay, a huge up to what a Individual of my profession would be paid otherwise. I'd come straight from the army, hoping my knowledge and experience as a communications technician and radio operator. And luckily found someone looking for exactly that, and with the pay this good, how exactly could I complain?

The car vibrated beneath me, hands gripped the wheel firmly as I kept my eyes ahead. Even in this wide, empty country road I'd rather play it safe rather than sorry. Who knows, maybe through these thousands of miles I'd see another car at some point? ...Yeah right.

I briefly glanced down to the newspaper that was folded a few pages from the end, labeled 'Mann Co Radio specialist Job opportunity' with contact information via mail and phone. Having called earlier mentioning my experience, I was yet to be given the opportunity to go into depth of it, as after I mentioned being in the army and being in charge of comms, I was asked to show up in person so they could 'see my potential', as well as 'discuss further, face-to-face'.

It could be worse, but I was praying to whoever may be listening that this was not a huge waste of my time. My savings was starting to run as dry as the land around me. Moving to hold one wheel, I decided that I'd roll the window down to catch a breeze. My air conditioning had never worked, but maybe if this job went well I'd spend some pretty penny to get some work done on my junk-ofa-car.

Grabbing my hand onto the crank for the window, I give it a few rough nudges to unstuck the jammed cheap plastic- It shook under the pressure but worked anyhow, the window sliding open with an awful squeal as I did so. I let out a sigh of relief at the dry air that blowed over my face. At least there was now airflow.

Glancing at the built in clock, I could tell it was nearing noon. Maybe the horrid sun would ease up then, however, the ride seemed unending. I'd been driving non stop sense 2am this morning, having packed up and left my shabby apartment- seemingly disappearing from the world. I'd of course said farewell to my dear mother and two siblings, as well as my beloved cat. It truly was a shame I could not have taken with me, but I would be sending my brother checks to take good care of my cat in my absence.

But not physical goodbye, hence the shut foldable phone in the passenger driver seat that would make sounds I'd ignore to the best of my ability. This cash was too good to be talked out of. I switched hands as I took turn rolling my red sleeves up above my elbows, my shirt having been unbuttoned to allow a breeze to touch more of my skin. Id been given a brief explanation for a dress code, wear.. Red. No blue. Something about a rival company.

At the very least the radio worked, so the car was not a total lost cause.

Now driving with the left hand, I'd use my right to mess with the dial. Shame there wasn't much good radio waves round these parts. Luckily for me, I had special equipment with me. "Cmon' you damned.." I spouted out, gently wacking the radio box before it sputtered to life in response. I was greeted of a song already in progress, but a familiar guttural tune I held dear. My mother had always been the ultimate Johnny Cash fan, after all. She had been the one to teach me to dance, which was not much help now that I think of it. 'I've Been Everywhere'. Suppose it was inherited on her behalf.

"There we are," I murmur softly, adjusting myself in my seat and stretching my legs as best as I could, before settling my foot back down onto the gas. The music helped the passing of time as I found myself zoning out, or at least, tuning out the outside world other than the road and the music that was playing.