*Featured on Wattpad Explorer's Near Future Visions reading list!*
A century ago, our AI benefactor, Moses, disappeared, taking mankind's future with him. The dream of the stars is dead. Earth is silent and the colonies of the solar syst...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Matthew walked to the butcher's front counter, making note of the terrible sanitary conditions. He certainly would not be back to patronize the business front for this fence.
An old man with a bent back stood at the register and smiled brightly when Matthew approached. "How may I help you, young man?"
"Here to see Mr. Nakayama. He has something I'm interested in buying.
"Of course, let me take you to him." The old man opened a back door and led Matthew down a dimly lit hall. He knocked on a side door. "Someone to see you, sir. A Mr... What was your name?"
"Cole."
"A Mr. Cole."
Matthew heard a muted response from behind the door, and the old man opened it and gestured inside. He entered into what appeared to be a nicely furnished office at first glance. On closer inspection, he saw something different. Someone was trying too hard to look professional. Fake plants stood in the corner, and the room had been haphazardly painted a few too many times, as evidenced by the wall that had a serious peeling problem. As for Nakayama himself? Matthew knew a cheap suit when he saw one, and the cologne was so bad he could have smelled it a mile away.
Nakayama offered him a seat. "What can I do for you, Mr. Cole?"
Matthew sat and tried to look like he was relaxed. This was one of those conversations that he was going to bluff for as long as he could as hard as he could and then go from there. Worst case scenario involved his revolver. "I've heard from a friend that you're the kind of man that procures... unique goods. It just so happens I'm in the market for something specific."
"Oh, that is very good. And what might that be?"
"I've heard you've come across a certain ring. Green stone, detailed etching. I'm sure you know the one."
"Yes, yes. Though I admit, you're a bit earlier than I thought you would be. I wasn't expecting you for at least another hour."
This was the best thing that Matthew had heard all day, and it took an enormous act of will not to show it. "I've got a schedule to keep." He looked Nakayama in the eye and took a chance. "The bosses like things nice and crisp. I'm sure you understand."
