It was always the first thing I saw, that ugly monstrosity looming over an otherwise pleasant looking town, pleasant for the wastelands at least. Supposed to be some sort of creature that stomped around a horribly long time ago tearing shit to pieces. I guarantee if he saw his likeness molded into this tacky piece of shit he'd make sure there was some stomping.

I suppose visiting my old friend Bruce Isaac is worth the discomfort of beholding such an awful thing. Holed up in his hotel room, running from some decisions made with something other than his head, unfortunately. This was no life for a guy like him to live, a man of his talent should be sharing his gift with the world, especially a world as dark as this. One less light to illuminate the lives of these forsaken waste dwellers. Even if their troubles are only briefly forgotten, what a shame. I guess there's always whiskey if getting lit is all the illuminating you need.

Having been expecting me and on constant watch I had barely gotten to the door when he swung it open and hurried me in. I suppose you can never be too cautious when you've got the kind of people after you that Bruce does. But what did the guy expect, sleeping with the daughter of a guy like that AND stealing his cash. Man, did he just think he was going to saunter off into the night like a kid lifting from the cookie jar? I guess I can't be too hard on the guy, I have to say thats one fine girl he managed to sauntered his way into. Can't say I'd pass up the chance...

We exchanged pleasantries as old friends do, I couldn't help but notice his sunken eyes and pale complexion. Pale isn't exactly something you see everyday on a man of his skin tone. He seemed to catch the look of concern I tried to keep from him, I'm sure he has some idea how shitty he must look, least I could do was keep my look of astonishment from salting his wounds.

"That bad huh?"

"Shit Bruce when's the last time you slept?"

"You know how it is, can't keep watch for the bastards while I'm asleep can I? I've gone through almost all the mentats you brought last time... Even if I wanted to sleep I couldn't."

"Jesus christ, I was here last week and brought 6 boxes. You're going to have a fucking heart attack man."

"Better chance that than a bullet in my sleep."

"Whatever you say man, here I brought you some whiskey. Just bottled this one today. I didn't get a chance to age it at all, been hell trying to find oak barrels in this endless pit of burned up, ash covered, rad soaked excuse of a state.

"Hey man I'm not one to complain about free booze."

"Might as well call it gutrot at this point, but should take the edge off, even if it's closer to grandmas bathtub gin than whiskey."

"Heh, I'll never forget your grandmas hooch, it's what put these hairs on my chest. It was some nasty shit but I'll be damned if it didn't get you nice and liquored up in time for breakfast."

Bruce let out a long sigh and put his head down in his hands, something that looked too close to defeat seemed to break through the unwavering charisma Bruce never let falter. I'd never seen him like this, even after all terrible shit I'd managed to get him in, never like this. We sure did go through some shit, the wastelands do their best to destroy a guys spirit. Let yourself think you're in control and she'll swallow you like a starving dog does a stolen steak. That's all she is, a god damn flea ridden, rabid bitch. She's choking on a rotting piece of meat and can't resist taking another bite. I guess I can't blame her, for all she knows that's the last bit of meat she'll ever get.

I couldn't take seeing Bruce like this.

"Hey man why don't you get some rest and I'll stay here and keep watch for you."

"I don't know I couldn't ask you to do that. What about your place, you know how fast shit gets looted around here."

"Don't worry Duke's got the place covered, looks innocent enough when he's waggin' his tail but you don't notice the titanium teeth until they're so deep in your jugular that he's droolin' out your mouth.

Bruce let out a chuckle.

"Alright then, if you think it's a good ide.."

Bruce dozed off before he could finish his sentence. Patting him on the shoulder I grabbed a blanket and threw it over him, once I was satisfied he wouldn't fall off the chair I grabbed the bottle I handed him earlier and took a few swigs. It's going to be a long night.

A few swigs eventually turned into half a bottle, and not long after almost all of it. I was a little lit to say the least, but still capable of noticing a bunch of thugs coming up on an open courtyard, I was sure. I couldn't help but notice that damned Dino gift shop, of course it's in my view, it seems its sole purpose is to be a reminder of how much hatred one could have for an inanimate object. Maybe it was the hooch, or maybe just a plain hatred for something so ugly, but something drove me to stumble out of the hotel room and into the courtyard spitting vulgarities every step of the way. All of them directed at whoever decided this piece of shit would be a good thing to have towering over their town. Liquid inspiration filling my head with all sorts of bright ideas I reached into my bag and pulled out some explosives. I laughed a knowing laugh, some part of me knew this was the worst idea I'd ever had yet another part told me I've never had a better one. I took a moment to take in the tranquil surroundings, one of those moments of rare bliss that can only be found at the bottom of a bottle. Magical, I thought, how the world seems frozen in such peace. I laughed heartily at that, when was the last time the words peace made it off anyone's lips around here. Not wanting to give myself anymore time to talk myself out of this brilliant idea I slapped the explosives right over the ass of the abomination.

"This is for you, oh majestic beast of yore. For you were never meant to be such a disgraceful display of the fervent consumer culture of our vacationing forefathers, just looking for something to make their little shit kids shut up for long enough to hear their own thoughts, which were probably not much different than the gremlins they so eagerly silenced for a few dollars. Here's to America, where all the material shit your cholesterol laden heart could ever desire is just a gift shop away."

Letting out one last chuckle I put my lighter to the familiar green fuse that always seemed to bring a spark to an otherwise dark day. Ah, there it is, the sound of everything right in this world. Retreating a safe distance I almost squealed with delight. If only Bruce were out here for this. With that thought came the realization that I may have made a huge mistake. "Oh fuck. What have I done." The last thought I could muster before the combination of hooch and quite possibly an excessive amount of explosives put me down like a building the day it glowed.