Project Lorraine chapter #6: Fast Food
When the side doors opened and we streamed through into their dining room, I did not know what to expect. But a 'normal', if dim staff canteen ? Vinyl tiled floor ? Neatly tabarded Vampire caterers ? A stack of chipped trays ? Plastic on steel-tube stackable chairs ? Laminate tables ?
"Hygiene rules." Monty shrugged, "This is only 'Second Breakfast', so eat light: I can recommend today's Small Bolognese, while those baby carrots and beets are just 'al dente'."
"Er, okay... What's to drink ?"
Frank grinned, "Make that three, with tomato juice all around !"
The older Vampires chose similar, slow-carb meals. Youngsters piled their plates with protein, mostly braised lamb chops or ribs, plus essential greens and root-veg. There was no cashier. We collected paper napkins and plastic cutlery, found a table.
"Not what I expected..." I sighed with relief.
Frank looked to Monty, "You told Chris so little, then ?"
"I made a point of not asking." I stated.
"Ah ? Monty ?"
"Chris asked me --us-- to respect his ethics and digestion. Period."
"Ah... What do you know of the arrangements for this week ?"
"I'm here. I'm your guest. I'll try to fit in."
"Do your people know where you are ?" Frank puzzled.
"Know ? Certainly not ! Sure, careful detective work could trace me to that station, but the trail ends there. Charlie was careful, and 'Brendan' is night-blind."
"You do not fear we might sacrifice our hostages to remove your threat ?"
"It would be a poor trade." I shrugged, "I'm more concerned about faction fights and Rogues."
Frank thought on that for a moment, "Why ?"
"Why not ?" I quipped, "If you're going to tell me that you, personally, ate my predecessor, I'd better warn you I'm stringy."
"Gah !" Monty dropped his fork, covered his mouth, chuckled, "That was in bad taste !"
"Ah. " Frank considered, "You consider yourself expendable ?"
"I'm a HotZoner."
"Of course..." Frank allowed, "You are not without fear, you are driven by duty..."
Monty grinned, "See, Frank ? Chris is no-one's Pet."
"Hmm. What were you told of our divisions and politics ?"
"Nothing." I stated, "I did not ask, and Monty did not volunteer anything. Yes, there were hints and clues. SOTM knew there were factions."
"As you have deduced, we represent opposing factions." Frank tossed Monty a token snarl, "Monty is considered Progressive, I am very Traditional. Chris, your arrival --your unusual arrival-- has complicated matters. What do you hope to achieve ?"
"To see what you want me to see, to learn what you want me to know. Your call."
Frank hesitated, drained his tomato juice, "May I try an experiment ?"
"Nothing too dangerous, please..."
"Surely." Frank stared at me for a long moment, stood and walked towards the soft drink jugs. I noticed Monty watching my gaze, glanced back at Frank's empty chair. Carefully, I waved a hand through the gap. Monty grinned. I resumed my battle with the spaghetti.
Frank returned with three fresh glasses of tomato juice, looked to Monty, "Well ?"
"Your Glamour is strong--" Monty began, too politely.
"When did you notice ?" Frank asked me.
"Notice what ?"
"For a moment, Chris suspected your leaving was the attempted illusion." Monty replied for me.
Frank sat carefully, "That explains much..."
He sipped his juice as I finished my pasta, added, "Most children can pierce Glamour, as can cats and many dogs. Generally, HomoSap children lose the instinct as their schooling advances... You are resistant to hypnotism ?"
"Yes." I nodded.
"That fits, too..." Frank chuckled, "And you are honest to a fault-- Do not deny this ! You may disguise it as jest, but you WILL speak the truth..."
"Huh. You make me sound like a saint-- I'm not even a Doctor !"
"You're not ?" Monty seemed surprised, "I'd thought..."
"I'm a Medical Technician, with a raft of cross-training. My parents were doctors, my brother, both sisters, an aunt and two uncles are doctors or surgeons. I did one year of Biochemistry.."
"Oh ?" Frank puzzled, "What happened ?"
"Mum needed nursing. I took a gap year, never went back..."
"Do you regret it ?" Monty wondered.
"Sometimes... HotZones are Hell: I've triaged more people than I care to remember--"
"But you have saved thousands--"
"By leaving more to die." I hissed, "Don't soften it."
"I-- I would not dare." Monty shuddered.
"Nor I..." Frank shook his head, "And I thought I carried many ghosts..."
"So why do you do it ?"
"Monty, I don't have much choice. Attrition on new HotZoners is grim: after that, your chances improve..." I chuckled, "Mind you, I didn't apply for the job ! I was the wrong side of a secondary air-lock when the Level 3 alarm went, was stuck there. I knew the basics, learned fast."
"You lived." Frank nodded, "So they kept you ?"
"I'd done the hard part... Had to swot the courses, but those were easy after three rounds with The Grim Reaper." I raised my half-glass of juice, "Mud In His Eye !"
That was something Vampires could sincerely toast, "Mud In His Eye !"
Pete had been lurking, took that opportunity to approach, "Elders ?"
"Speak, Nephew." Frank allowed.
"Elders, Chris travelling as Brendan, the guest-room is ready."
Frank looked to Monty, "Your plans for Chris ?"
"Junior school-room Q&A before the rumours fly. Lunch. Senior students' session."
"Open Door ?"
"If you like, Frank." Monty offered, "Any rules ?"
"Keep it clean." I spoke first, "Don't press me for details of Rogue hunting."
Frank and Monty looked at each other, nodded agreement.
"Chris, Monty, I must wonder if your madcap scheme may work after all ! " Frank grinned, "Now, please, I must reflect at length on what we have discussed..."
"And I have Accounts Due to render..." Monty grumbled.
We stood.
"Thanks for an interesting meal." I nodded to both.
"This is but 'Vittles' !" Monty waved, "We feast at New Moon ! Okay, young Pete, would you show Chris to his room ?"
After the ordinary dining room, my basic 'Motel' room was no surprise. Double bed with duvet, en-suite, kettle, wardrobes, hanging spaces and drawers all belonged. Underground, the air-conditioning was essential. My shopping bag waited on the bed-side table, beneath a reading light. Pete opened a built-in wardrobe, lifted out a hangar, "School uniform is Lederhosen. Matching suede smalls. I had to guess at your size."
"Er, thanks..."
"Some shirt-waister tunics for later, and two sleeping-shirts." He chuckled, "Though what you'd want with those..."
I shrugged, "In case I need to wake running ?"
"Ah...?" Pete grinned, "And a selection of sleeping arrangements-"
A 'corner wardrobe' opened on three close-stacked tube-beds' pillows. The 'window' shutters hid a deeply recessed bed-shelf with futon pad, "But, if you really want 'Traditional'--"
Pete lifted the spring-hinged sofa seat to show an archetypal, half-couch oak casket lined with white satin...
When I got my mouth shut, I had to say, "D'you know ? I might try it !"
"Over-rated." Pete allowed, "Stuffy. But snug..."
"I've woken in a body-bag." I shrugged, "At least this is clean..."
"How-- D'uh... Oh, okay... Um, d'you mind a question or two ?"
"You heard the rules..."
"Did you mean to 'mousetrap' Elder Frank ?"
"No."
"Could you have taken him down ?"
"There and then ? Not likely !" I retorted, "Nor in a fair fight."
"We-- We did not believe you would come unarmed and helpless..."
"Was there another way ?"
Pete thought about it, shook his head, "No... No, there was not."
I shrugged, "Don't be offended if my trigger finger twitches a bit, though."
"Do you play video games ?"
"Some..."
"We have '29 Days' networked--"
"Wow ! That old 'Humans vs Vampires vs Zombies' classic ?" I laughed, "After Amnesty came in, it was withdrawn-- And you play it ?"
"Oh, yes !" Pete chuckled, "After all, we know Zombies don't exist--"
He caught my look, "Don't they ?"
"I've dealt with some odd diseases, but no genuine Zombies..." I winked, "Not yet, mind ! Hmm, I'm a bit rusty, but..."
"Deal ! Might take a few days to set up..."
"Okay." I nodded, "And today ? I need to --er-- wash and dress."
"Yes, yes, of course. Half an hour ?"
"Sure !"
"You'll knock gently ?"
"Ohhh, yes !" Pete nodded, "After your little discussion with Elder Frank, everyone I've met has said something like, 'Don't Startle The Rogue Bane !' "
"Thank you. Half an hour, then."
I'd need the time. First priority was to shed the Pharaonic loin-cloth, stagger into the wash-room and aim my valve. After the easy part, I reached down, released the bottom end of my zip, got my back-side out. While nature took its course, I reflected that I should have packed that tub of baby cream. Oh, well, the locals could find me some cream, plus a large bottle of hypo-allergenic body-wash. Relieved, I cleaned myself, then used a wet towel-end to mop some itches. After zipping up, I took a long, long shower to shift my body-glove's pore salt. Again, the blow-dry feature saved me wrestling with a towel...
I chuckled: Our strategy team had devised a plan to 'invent' specials, available only from SOTM. Their bar-code numbers would riccochet through the national pharmacy database and flag the order. I turned that down flat. At the very least, it would show 'bad faith'. Also, there were too many ways to go wrong...
I turned on the reading light and took a better look at my 'school' clothes. A plain T-shirt, suede briefs and saddle- stitched, metal-free Lederhosen ? Granted, they'd withstand childish enthusiasm, granted they'd be very hard wearing. I shook my head. I preferred denim, Rohan airweights or an environmental suit. When in Rome, however...
Fortunately, Pete was a good guesser. The outfit fitted well, looked less absurd than I expected. Compared to 'Brendan', it moved better, too. I turned off the reading light, sat to let my eyes adjust. When the knock came at my door, I was pleased to see Pete had a matching outfit...
When the side doors opened and we streamed through into their dining room, I did not know what to expect. But a 'normal', if dim staff canteen ? Vinyl tiled floor ? Neatly tabarded Vampire caterers ? A stack of chipped trays ? Plastic on steel-tube stackable chairs ? Laminate tables ?
"Hygiene rules." Monty shrugged, "This is only 'Second Breakfast', so eat light: I can recommend today's Small Bolognese, while those baby carrots and beets are just 'al dente'."
"Er, okay... What's to drink ?"
Frank grinned, "Make that three, with tomato juice all around !"
The older Vampires chose similar, slow-carb meals. Youngsters piled their plates with protein, mostly braised lamb chops or ribs, plus essential greens and root-veg. There was no cashier. We collected paper napkins and plastic cutlery, found a table.
"Not what I expected..." I sighed with relief.
Frank looked to Monty, "You told Chris so little, then ?"
"I made a point of not asking." I stated.
"Ah ? Monty ?"
"Chris asked me --us-- to respect his ethics and digestion. Period."
"Ah... What do you know of the arrangements for this week ?"
"I'm here. I'm your guest. I'll try to fit in."
"Do your people know where you are ?" Frank puzzled.
"Know ? Certainly not ! Sure, careful detective work could trace me to that station, but the trail ends there. Charlie was careful, and 'Brendan' is night-blind."
"You do not fear we might sacrifice our hostages to remove your threat ?"
"It would be a poor trade." I shrugged, "I'm more concerned about faction fights and Rogues."
Frank thought on that for a moment, "Why ?"
"Why not ?" I quipped, "If you're going to tell me that you, personally, ate my predecessor, I'd better warn you I'm stringy."
"Gah !" Monty dropped his fork, covered his mouth, chuckled, "That was in bad taste !"
"Ah. " Frank considered, "You consider yourself expendable ?"
"I'm a HotZoner."
"Of course..." Frank allowed, "You are not without fear, you are driven by duty..."
Monty grinned, "See, Frank ? Chris is no-one's Pet."
"Hmm. What were you told of our divisions and politics ?"
"Nothing." I stated, "I did not ask, and Monty did not volunteer anything. Yes, there were hints and clues. SOTM knew there were factions."
"As you have deduced, we represent opposing factions." Frank tossed Monty a token snarl, "Monty is considered Progressive, I am very Traditional. Chris, your arrival --your unusual arrival-- has complicated matters. What do you hope to achieve ?"
"To see what you want me to see, to learn what you want me to know. Your call."
Frank hesitated, drained his tomato juice, "May I try an experiment ?"
"Nothing too dangerous, please..."
"Surely." Frank stared at me for a long moment, stood and walked towards the soft drink jugs. I noticed Monty watching my gaze, glanced back at Frank's empty chair. Carefully, I waved a hand through the gap. Monty grinned. I resumed my battle with the spaghetti.
Frank returned with three fresh glasses of tomato juice, looked to Monty, "Well ?"
"Your Glamour is strong--" Monty began, too politely.
"When did you notice ?" Frank asked me.
"Notice what ?"
"For a moment, Chris suspected your leaving was the attempted illusion." Monty replied for me.
Frank sat carefully, "That explains much..."
He sipped his juice as I finished my pasta, added, "Most children can pierce Glamour, as can cats and many dogs. Generally, HomoSap children lose the instinct as their schooling advances... You are resistant to hypnotism ?"
"Yes." I nodded.
"That fits, too..." Frank chuckled, "And you are honest to a fault-- Do not deny this ! You may disguise it as jest, but you WILL speak the truth..."
"Huh. You make me sound like a saint-- I'm not even a Doctor !"
"You're not ?" Monty seemed surprised, "I'd thought..."
"I'm a Medical Technician, with a raft of cross-training. My parents were doctors, my brother, both sisters, an aunt and two uncles are doctors or surgeons. I did one year of Biochemistry.."
"Oh ?" Frank puzzled, "What happened ?"
"Mum needed nursing. I took a gap year, never went back..."
"Do you regret it ?" Monty wondered.
"Sometimes... HotZones are Hell: I've triaged more people than I care to remember--"
"But you have saved thousands--"
"By leaving more to die." I hissed, "Don't soften it."
"I-- I would not dare." Monty shuddered.
"Nor I..." Frank shook his head, "And I thought I carried many ghosts..."
"So why do you do it ?"
"Monty, I don't have much choice. Attrition on new HotZoners is grim: after that, your chances improve..." I chuckled, "Mind you, I didn't apply for the job ! I was the wrong side of a secondary air-lock when the Level 3 alarm went, was stuck there. I knew the basics, learned fast."
"You lived." Frank nodded, "So they kept you ?"
"I'd done the hard part... Had to swot the courses, but those were easy after three rounds with The Grim Reaper." I raised my half-glass of juice, "Mud In His Eye !"
That was something Vampires could sincerely toast, "Mud In His Eye !"
Pete had been lurking, took that opportunity to approach, "Elders ?"
"Speak, Nephew." Frank allowed.
"Elders, Chris travelling as Brendan, the guest-room is ready."
Frank looked to Monty, "Your plans for Chris ?"
"Junior school-room Q&A before the rumours fly. Lunch. Senior students' session."
"Open Door ?"
"If you like, Frank." Monty offered, "Any rules ?"
"Keep it clean." I spoke first, "Don't press me for details of Rogue hunting."
Frank and Monty looked at each other, nodded agreement.
"Chris, Monty, I must wonder if your madcap scheme may work after all ! " Frank grinned, "Now, please, I must reflect at length on what we have discussed..."
"And I have Accounts Due to render..." Monty grumbled.
We stood.
"Thanks for an interesting meal." I nodded to both.
"This is but 'Vittles' !" Monty waved, "We feast at New Moon ! Okay, young Pete, would you show Chris to his room ?"
After the ordinary dining room, my basic 'Motel' room was no surprise. Double bed with duvet, en-suite, kettle, wardrobes, hanging spaces and drawers all belonged. Underground, the air-conditioning was essential. My shopping bag waited on the bed-side table, beneath a reading light. Pete opened a built-in wardrobe, lifted out a hangar, "School uniform is Lederhosen. Matching suede smalls. I had to guess at your size."
"Er, thanks..."
"Some shirt-waister tunics for later, and two sleeping-shirts." He chuckled, "Though what you'd want with those..."
I shrugged, "In case I need to wake running ?"
"Ah...?" Pete grinned, "And a selection of sleeping arrangements-"
A 'corner wardrobe' opened on three close-stacked tube-beds' pillows. The 'window' shutters hid a deeply recessed bed-shelf with futon pad, "But, if you really want 'Traditional'--"
Pete lifted the spring-hinged sofa seat to show an archetypal, half-couch oak casket lined with white satin...
When I got my mouth shut, I had to say, "D'you know ? I might try it !"
"Over-rated." Pete allowed, "Stuffy. But snug..."
"I've woken in a body-bag." I shrugged, "At least this is clean..."
"How-- D'uh... Oh, okay... Um, d'you mind a question or two ?"
"You heard the rules..."
"Did you mean to 'mousetrap' Elder Frank ?"
"No."
"Could you have taken him down ?"
"There and then ? Not likely !" I retorted, "Nor in a fair fight."
"We-- We did not believe you would come unarmed and helpless..."
"Was there another way ?"
Pete thought about it, shook his head, "No... No, there was not."
I shrugged, "Don't be offended if my trigger finger twitches a bit, though."
"Do you play video games ?"
"Some..."
"We have '29 Days' networked--"
"Wow ! That old 'Humans vs Vampires vs Zombies' classic ?" I laughed, "After Amnesty came in, it was withdrawn-- And you play it ?"
"Oh, yes !" Pete chuckled, "After all, we know Zombies don't exist--"
He caught my look, "Don't they ?"
"I've dealt with some odd diseases, but no genuine Zombies..." I winked, "Not yet, mind ! Hmm, I'm a bit rusty, but..."
"Deal ! Might take a few days to set up..."
"Okay." I nodded, "And today ? I need to --er-- wash and dress."
"Yes, yes, of course. Half an hour ?"
"Sure !"
"You'll knock gently ?"
"Ohhh, yes !" Pete nodded, "After your little discussion with Elder Frank, everyone I've met has said something like, 'Don't Startle The Rogue Bane !' "
"Thank you. Half an hour, then."
I'd need the time. First priority was to shed the Pharaonic loin-cloth, stagger into the wash-room and aim my valve. After the easy part, I reached down, released the bottom end of my zip, got my back-side out. While nature took its course, I reflected that I should have packed that tub of baby cream. Oh, well, the locals could find me some cream, plus a large bottle of hypo-allergenic body-wash. Relieved, I cleaned myself, then used a wet towel-end to mop some itches. After zipping up, I took a long, long shower to shift my body-glove's pore salt. Again, the blow-dry feature saved me wrestling with a towel...
I chuckled: Our strategy team had devised a plan to 'invent' specials, available only from SOTM. Their bar-code numbers would riccochet through the national pharmacy database and flag the order. I turned that down flat. At the very least, it would show 'bad faith'. Also, there were too many ways to go wrong...
I turned on the reading light and took a better look at my 'school' clothes. A plain T-shirt, suede briefs and saddle- stitched, metal-free Lederhosen ? Granted, they'd withstand childish enthusiasm, granted they'd be very hard wearing. I shook my head. I preferred denim, Rohan airweights or an environmental suit. When in Rome, however...
Fortunately, Pete was a good guesser. The outfit fitted well, looked less absurd than I expected. Compared to 'Brendan', it moved better, too. I turned off the reading light, sat to let my eyes adjust. When the knock came at my door, I was pleased to see Pete had a matching outfit...
