Blessed Are We

Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church

It didn't take long before Serj Tankian ran through the city to find a place to stay throughout his final month in America. He doesn't want to waste any time sightseeing; in fact, he now chooses to despise sightseeing. Also that he feels that he has no time to get himself lost at local places or in the desert. If he ever got stabbed in Phoenix, he would groan irritated over losing himself 20 seconds because of his blood loss and mourning. Even if he got kidnapped and raped multiple times in Phoenix and kept hostage for two days, he would mildly snap at the kidnapper, and continuously bring up how far he would have reached the border line to Mexico if it wasn't for the kidnapper.

Ending his drinking habits and settling his boundaries are the only things he wants done so he can come back to his parents. He knows that he, nor his parents can't pay the fine. 34 years old and a tremendous excuse when it comes to handling economy. Because, where and how will he get $10 000 to pay his fine, the misfortunate man he is? Will his parents ever bring him back home, with or without the bail money? That's when it hit Serj - his parents doesn't know about the fine yet. It would not be a good idea if he arrived home fully sober and recovered, just to say, "lend me $10 000 for illegally watching roosters kill each other!" Serj has now settled his plan. He will take the AA course and head down to Mexico.

"I'd like to check in, please." Serj requests in the reception of The Heritage Apartments. "Absolutely. Just let me register your credit card number and I'll show you your stay right away." The female employee says, having the name Donna. As Serj glanced around in the lobby, he could tell that the rent wouldn't be so high. This is no grand five star apartment block. A moldy scent surrounded the room, the smell could be coming from every corner of it. Serj is starting to worry, not least care about how his apartment for the month will be like. He isn't, and he won't get used to oddish smells that he doesn't know of.

"How much is the rent?" Serj asks skittish, being concerned if the credit card doesn't cover his payment. Living on the streets wouldn't be an issue, he thinks. But God, let there be hope.

"Actually, we have a free-month-trial, so there is no payment of any sort until the end of the month." Donna says.

"But do I have to register my credit card for it?"

"If you're staying for a long term, yes."

"So it won't matter if I just - don't pay?"

"How long will you be staying, sir?"

"A month, maybe less."

"Sir, wouldn't that be taking advantage of your stay at The Heritage Apartments? We have a waiting list for people who would love to stay at ours for as long as they like. But if you want me to put you on the list, I'm happy to, sir."

"Can you register the credit card without me paying for it?"

"I may lose my job for this, sir."

"Listen up here, I only have one month until I'm leaving this country for good, wouldn't it be a good time for me to spend my precious time at The Heritage Apartments? I've been studying law school, and this kind of treatment will get this lovely place shut down." Serj gently snaps and puts on his warmest smile. Never has he attended to law school, but he sees no harm in lying to get his way. Donna immediately threw in a warm smile, too, for the tension, asking so softly, "smoking or non-smoking?" "Smoking, please." Serj grins and recieves his key. "Enjoy your stay."

Serj doesn't smoke cigarettes occasionally. He adores the scent though, it reminds him of his home and his surroundings in public. Ever since he was 16 he has been stealing one cigarette a week from his father. His father, a great chainsmoker, never noticed one cigarette or two to be gone. Khatchadour Tankian smokes two packs a day, so how would he ever notice?
But if Serj could afford a pack of Marlboro, he wouldn't be interested in buying it, because he's all about that blue raspberry slurpee for 50 cents.