Family
Bill sat sipping his tea until the clothing was delivered. Grabbing his he stood up and started pulling his hospital robe over his head. Then he heard a screech. Gruffly he said, “Melissa, we don't have time for modesty. Just change quickly.”
All she said was, “Yes Sir.”
Pulling down his shirt he took a quick look at her. She was still in her birthday suit. Damn, they didn't send any underwear. Pulling up his bright purple trousers he groaned and slipped his feet into the green slippers. Taking another look he smiled. That outfit doesn't hide much. Calm down boy.
Melissa looked up and saw him watching her. She blushed deeply. “Do I look OK Sir?”
Bill replied, “I have no point of reference to determine an answer for that question. Let's get out of here and to a off duty section that has some stores. I still need a few items and a chance to look around.” Yea, and two cold showers!
“This way Sir.”
Thinking quickly Bill said, “Don't call me Sir. If you do everyone will think I'm someone important. Just call me Bill.”
“OK Bill. By the way most young men wear their shirt hanging out.”
Pulling his shirt tail out, he realized he had a lot to learn quickly. At least back in the Army they had a dress code to follow.
Half way to the entrance Melissa abruptly stopped. Tilting her head it looked like she was listening to someone. Turning she said, “Bill, my Mom just called and told me that some men came and searched our home. They gave her a number to call when I got home for a security escort. They said someone threatened to hurt me and I needed protection.”
Ping. Ping. Ping went the tablet.
+++ message SECURE
+++ from: Assembly computer
I have deactivated Melissa Adam's implant.
The corporation is attempting to track its location.
When you exit the lounge, turn right, go down the stairs, and get on the personnel transport. Go three stops and get off. You will be across from another lounge. Enter and wait for more messages.
+++ EOM
“Melissa, the tablet just informed me that the corporation is attempting to trace your communications implant. Follow me.”
As they got off the transport Bill spotted the lounge. Hell, it's a bar. This girl probably hasn't ever been in one. “In here, and follow me all the way to the back.”
Bill was surprised when the back table had a hall behind it that led into a restaurant. Walking through he sat at the first empty table. Leaning over he whispered to the tablet. “Inform the secure assembly computer that we went through and are in the restaurant section. I need some kind of untraceable credit. We need to eat.”
On the tablet a reply popped up. You are presently in a shielded entertainment zone. The assembly computer sent two shoulder bags with credits, ID's, and cards to the parcel station three doors to the right of the restaurant section. Locker 93, combination is Melissa's thumb print. Return to restaurant, eat and then go to next transport station.
Out on the street Bill looked around. My Halloween outfit is tame compared to some of these.
Melissa opened the parcel box and handed Bill one of the bags. She pulled other bag's strap and slung it over her shoulder. She watched as Bill did the same. Looking around she whispered, “Lets go.”
Bill took her arm like he'd seen other couples on the street and led her back to the restaurant. “Order us some food.”
Melissa looked at him and said, How will we pay for it. The corporation probably has a trace on my credit card.”
“Melissa, look in your bag and see if there is any money or credit cards.”
“There is a tablet, several credit cards, and cash,” she replied.
“Order the food while I go to the restroom.” Once in the restroom Bill looked at his tablet and saw on the screen a faint message. “Break original tablet in half and place in recycle bin.” It broke easy over the sink and he dumped one half in each of the restroom trash cans. After washing his hands he went back to the table. The first thing he saw was a credit card with Melissa's picture on it sticking out of the center of the table. As he sat down the food was delivered by a waitress. That smells good. I guess they didn't ruin the food in the last five hundred years.
He watched Melissa unwrap a fancy cloth napkin and pull out metal silverware. Glancing at the table he didn't see another set. Looking up he saw the waitress hurrying back toward the table.
“Sorry, when I picked up the order I thought she was just very hungry and using the smaller meal as an appetizer.” She set another glass of tea down and handed him a wrapped napkin.
“Thank you”, Bill replied.
Melissa looked up from her plate and whispered, “She wasn't that polite when she delivered the food. I'll bet she comes back and tries to flatter you into giving her a big tip. You did OK for an old man.”
“Huff, good thing I am an old man, otherwise you might be in trouble. I bet they even rent rooms by the hour in this area.”
Looking up she asked, “Rent rooms by the hour. What does that mean?”
“Sorry to break it to you, but that infers that the couple wants to have a sexual fling with no strings attached. In other words, in and out with someone they shouldn't. It used to happen, and unless human nature had changed, it probably still does. Some times for the thrill, and other times money for money. Wipe that shocked look off your face and eat.”
“Ah, I, I never heard of anything like that.”
Looking Melissa straight in the eye he said, “Most decent people wouldn't even think of that unless they were intoxicated. Eat, we need to be on the move soon.”
The waitress made three more trips to his side of the table before they finished. Melissa asked, “What percentage tip shall I leave.”
Bill looked at her and said, “Just leave the standard percentage. She did offer good service, even though you seemed agitated that she only stopped on my side of the table. Pout just a little and grab my arm as we are leaving to show her that you consider me yours.”
Thugs look the same, even after five hundred years. If they keep pushing those passengers someone will call the cops. Bill ducked into a doorway. Melissa looked shocked and tried to pull away.
The man at the desk said, “How many hours sir.”
“Is there a back door, my friend just spotted her partner and doesn't want him to see us.”
“The rear entrances are only accessible from the rooms, sir. That will be fifty credits.”
Bill reached into his bag and shuffled around until he found a bill with a 50 on it. Slapping it on the desk he said, “That should do for an in and out.”
Handing Bill a card the man at the desk stated, “There are mirrors at all exits so you can check to see if they are clear. The door will keep the card assuring checkout. The lift will take you up to the floor, second room on the right.”
After entering the room Bill quickly stepped over to the window and glanced out. The thugs were coming out of the restaurant and looking around. Then one glanced back into the restaurant and motioned the others back in.
Melissa was frozen just inside the door looking around.
Bill snapped, “We don't have time for sightseeing. The exit is over here. Come on!” The elevator moved sideways and then down. Looking out the door Bill spotted the mirrors in the alley and saw that it was clear. Putting the card into the door box it opened. Stepping through he dragged Melissa to the end of the alley, stopped and looked both ways. Just across the street was another transport station, and a train was pulling in. As the doors opened three more thugs rushed out and ran up the street. “Melissa, control yourself, we need to get across the street before the transport closes its doors. Lets go.”
Sitting down after walking up to the next door Bill muttered, “Family!” damn them. How rotten can they turn in five hundred years. I wonder if all of them want me dead? Turning to Melissa he said, “The tablet indicated that your last name was Adams. A
re you related to Cecil?”
Melissa still looked shocked, but answered, “Yes, she is a cousin.”
“Somehow they tracked us. Did your wrist computer work back there? They may have found a way to track it. Take it off so we can leave it on the transport.”
Melissa whimpered as she took it off her wrist, then said, “Is that why my implant stopped working?”
“Yes Melissa, I told the assembly computer to deactivate it, but I didn't think about your wrist computer or the tablet I had to destroy back at the restaurant.”
At the next stop they calmly got up and walked into the shopping center across the street.
* * *