I was walking with my head low looking at the ground as I approached the lonely little settlement. I stopped just a few yards short of the first derelict buildings. I looked up at the sky; clouds were rolling in from the west. Looks like a storm's coming…That's not good, storms are never good. It's usually acid rain with a chance of burning. It doesn't rain very often here, but when it does it is heavy and dangerous.

A heavy wind blew from behind me forcing all the fabric of my clothing forward my duster, as heavy as it is, flapping like a bird's first flight. I had an itch on my left arm. I didn't bother trying to scratch it because I couldn't on account of my Pip-Boy. The damn thing's busted, though, so that irritates me more. I can't get it off for some reason. I've tried countless times. I even went so far as to almost chopping my hand off.

I walked through the town looking at the different people. You can tell a lot about a town just by the looks on their faces. These people were mostly friendly individuals, but they preferred that I get whatever I came for and leave. You can tell by the light smiles and the occasional nod. I planned on getting what I needed just as soon as I found where it was.

It started to get dark. I don't know if it was from the clouds or because it was evening. Damn Pip-Boy. Others took notice of the clouds as well and started disappearing into the surrounding buildings. I figured I'd do the same. That was when I came upon a jolly looking man with a thick white moustache that extended from cheek to cheek and ended in pointed curls. The man had his hands at his hips and his teeth out far. Even in the clouded gloom his teeth shone like light bulbs.

"Well, looks like we gots us another wanderer!" His potbelly bounced lightly as he spoke. "You look thirsty, young man, how bout I treat you to a drink? C'mon, first one's free!" I found what I was looking for.

The bar was cleverly called the Genie's Three. The jolly man, Redding, said all your wishes were here: booze, women, and a bed. I didn't care much for the last two, but I sure was thirsty.

"Well, what'll it be, Sir? Remember: first one's free." He leaned against the counter on one elbow his other arm still at his hip.

"Well, I don't know quite yet. What do you have?" I was sitting quite comfortably on a wooden stool whose padding was gone. It had uneven legs so it rocked.

"We gots whiskey, vodka, beer, and my personal favorite: the Genie's Three. Now that's a combination of all three."

"I'll start with the vodka, thanks." He winked at me and without taking his eyes off me grabbed a dirty shot glass and bottle of vodka from under the counter. He pushed the glass toward me and it stopped inches from the edge. A little vodka had spilled. I grabbed the glass and raised it to the man behind the counter and swallowed it in one gulp. I slammed the glass upside down on the counter and shook my head. It's been a while since I had some vodka. Now I remember why I stopped.

The barkeep chuckled a little. "You think that's strong!" He reached under the counter again without looking feeling around for something. "Here. Try this. I believe it's called 'tekwilla.'" He had a fancy-looking bottle in his hand with a brown liquid inside. I was enticed by the bottle. There was something about it that caught me by my lips.

"Where'd you find it?"

"Well, there were some empty bottles in the cellar when I found this place, so I hired some guys to find more. They came back with a crateful saying there's a whole mess of these down south. I paid a little visit to the place myself and found some ghouls wearing blankets like jackets and huge hats speaking a different language. I met someone who spoke English and that gibberish and had her translate. She insists that it says 'tekeela' but I'm an American and I know how to read."

"So those ghouls made this stuff?"

"Yup. They said it was a very lucrative business before the war. They say it still is."

"How much for a bottle?"

"How much you willin' to spend?"

"Enough to wet my lips?"

"Well, five caps for the first bottle 'cause I like you and fifteen for future bottles."

"Deal." I handed the man his caps and took the bottle from his hands. I placed it in the inside pocket of my duster and asked him for a room. He asked if I wanted a girl, "Why not? I want to test this new stuff out!"