"FWLS55" - читать интересную книгу автора (A Future We'd Like to See)

A Future We'd Like to See 1.55 - Bloodlines, Act I
By Stefan "Twoflower" Gagne (Copyright 1994)

"How can it not know what it is?"
- Deckard, _Blade Runner_

It could possibly be ironic the way members of the criminal
element pray on the fast food industry. In the same way that
these noble chefs prepare food items at great speed for
reasonable amounts of money, the criminals mug these chefs and
take that reasonable amount of money away. It's a wonder the
industry can stay afloat.

However, I myself am not pray to these people. A
McSpackle's hat and padded apron are not the symbols of an easy
target, but the markings of an honorable worker and a proud
warrior (Wae Spat, Passage 45). The three following behind me
had the markings of the criminal element on them... dishonorable
thoughts in their hearts, thin pockets, sharp objects.

I had been deliberately trailing them as they trailed me
down the street, looking for a reasonable combat area... one with
a lot of open space and hard objects. Finding a nearby five-
credit-an-hour parking lot, I took a sharp turn and walked
inside.

The criminals see this as a prime opportunity, since there
was only one gate in and out of the lot. I wasn't planning to
leave without my money, though.

"Hey, missie!" one of them called out behind me, supposedly
announcing his presence to the world for the first time. I
paused, and turned around, pretending to be surprised.

"Yes, may I help you?" I asked.

"You bet you can. See, us three here are in need of some
things."

"Perhaps I will be able to help you then. What do you
need?"

"For starters, your credit chip and valuables," the lead
punk said, waiving his sharp object a few inches away from my
face. "For instance, how about that necklace?"

I touched my crystal spatula necklace, a family heirloom.
"Sorry, I need this myself."

"I don't care. I want it," he said, stopping the waving and