Hey, well, this is my first chapter & entry ever to . So, please enjoy.
Chapter 1: In Ol' Spanish Lace
Life in Freeside was as eventful as any life being lived in a gang-ridden slum would be; eventful. Not today, though. The Atomic Wrangler was quiet; of course, it usually was around nine in the morning. Only people in were the chronic gamblers, the lonely shmucks who couldn't get into the Strip and Beatrix's zany client who had a thing for cowboy Ghouls and rotting flesh.
There was another patron in, however. Buckling up her belt and sighing heavily, AJ was descending the stairs that led to the second floor rooms with a scantily clad Santiago in tow. James Garret snorted and shook his head, absently fixing his cuff links; he placed both his hands on the counter just as AJ was approaching,
"I thought you'd lost your taste for the 'Mexico Way', eh, AJ?"
"Shut it, Garret." Snapped AJ, her pale face looked tired. Probably up all night, concluded James with a wry smile while he watched AJ and Santiago turn to one another.
"Well, my pretty flower, my darling, when should Santiago next expect you?" Said Santiago, his fake Spanish accent was strong; AJ shrugged and waved a hand. "Dunno', Santiago. Just get outta' my face." Santiago's dark eyes twinkled and he gave AJ a shallow bow,
"As you wish, babe, so I'll see you tomorrow evening."
It wasn't a question. AJ averted her eyes as she tied her green bandanna around her head and straightened her goggles. Feigning nonchalance, the blonde retorted,
"Maybe, now beat it."
With that the man whore turned and sauntered away. AJ shivered and turned to the knowing face of James Garret who was beaming at her. "Oh, what?" Asked AJ hotly as she took a stool and Garret handed the woman her usual, a shot glass and a bottle of whiskey.
"Nothin'."
James lied and began to wipe down the bar as AJ poured herself a shot and choked the brown liquid down. She growled as the liquor lifted her from her grogginess and set her a little straighter. After another few moments, James looked over at her and clapped his hands together making AJ jump with fright,
"Jeez, what the hell?" She barked and Garret pointed a finger at her, "Forgot to tell ya', you got a letter just this mornin'" AJ nodded, "Oh, right. That's fine, who's it from and for god's sake don't scare me like that, asshole!" Garret snickered as he plucked the letter from behind the bar.
"Dunno' who it's from, but the post mark's Primm.
AJ sat up and cocked an eyebrow, "Primm? Damn, wondered when ol' Johnson would write." AJ held out her hand, frowning when James Garret still held the letter between his thumb and index finger. "The fuck? Gimme' the letter, then." Garret sucked in a breath and looked torn, "Well, that's just it, kiddo. Me n' France, we're not running a damn B and B, you get me?" AJ blinked blearily and shrugged,
"What're you getting at?"
James rolled his eyes and snatched the bottle of whiskey back as AJ fumed, "Hey!" Reaching for her holster, AJ drew her Hunting Revolver named, Bubba, and aimed it at James Garret. "Whoa, now, AJ, what ya' gonna' do with that?" AJ was belligerent, her eyes foggy. "Dunno yet. Maybe I'll shoot you for takin' my breakfast away." Garret laughed and waved his hand, "Peace, you crazy bitch." AJ lowered Bubba and sat back down and Garret returned the bottle. Taking a swig, AJ slurred, "Alright, talk plainly, James. Why won't you gimme my letter?" James shrugged, and retorted honestly, "Look, we like you, me and Francine, but...Well, the last time you did us any work was extorting those outstanding tabs and getting Beatrix and Santiago. Let's face it, you've had the most use out of the Spaniard and Beatrix only has that one weirdo client!"
AJ threw up her hands, "Oh, for fuck's sake! Me and Santiago, listen, I'm only doin' him cos' I'm too busy to have any real fucking relationships! And as for Beatrix, well, her usual's happy as Larry, so what's the fuckin' issue? What, you want me to slip into some bondage and pay my way? Well, no way!"
Garret was perplexed by her outburst before bursting into a fit of laughter as AJ grumbled. When the suited man finally sobered, he ran a hand through his thick black hair and sighed deeply before addressing AJ. "Alright, for a start, no one questions why the hell you fuck Santiago. I actually had you pegged for a lady who deserved a little better, but that's neither here nor there. You got Caleb's old room and tab because you're reliable, AJ, but recently you've been slackin'. As for Beatrix, one client aint' enough, we need more, AJ. We're not even stayin' afloat." AJ sighed,
"So what d'ya want, then? Y'know my job description covers a wide expanse."
James Garret nodded, his wide-set jaw clenched – as it usually did when he talked business. "Yeah, I know that," AJ ticked them off on her fingers, "Larceny, burglary, mercenary, courier, assassin, lock breaker, extorter, and muscle. To name a few." Garret chuckled and leaned forward on his elbows, "Yep, well, none of them." AJ leaned forward too, "Oh?"
"You left out pimp."
James stipulated with a crooked grin and AJ leaned back. "Oh, yeah...that." James bobbed his head, "Uh huh. Now, listen, cos' I want this done pronto. You do this; I'll give you Primm's letter. Don't and you're cut off – Francine's words, not mine." AJ sighed and gently banged her head off the bar, "You guys..." She began maudlin, "You...Guys...Are...So...Cold." She said each word between thuds before turning her big hazel eyes on James, who was cocking an eyebrow at her,
"You done?"
AJ nodded, "Yeah, sorry. So, who wants what and from who...or what?" James dipped his head and rubbed his hands together, "Okay, here's the deal, y'know Bea's client, the Fucking Weirdo?" AJ nodded, "Sure, everyone knows the Fucking Weirdo."
"Well, he seems to have gone off...Ghouls." AJ held her hand up to her face, "Oh that sucks, poor Bea...she'll take that hard. You think it's fucking nutty that I'll sleep with Santiago, well, pal, you try finding some other weirdo who'll shag a Ghoul!" James held up a hand to silence her, "Yeah, that's not the point. Bea stops bringing in caps; she can take her rotting ass someplace else! She's only as good as how much caps she makes, you get me? Now, recently her client-"
"The Fucking Weirdo."
AJ interjected making Garret close his eyes in annoyance. "Yeah, him. Now, recently he seems to have gone off Ghouls, and now he's looking for something more...Clerical." AJ's mouth was full of whiskey as she raised her eyebrows, "Clerical?" She rasped, the whiskey making her voice hoarse. "Yep, clerical. Get this, he wants a sex bot...A fucking sex bot! Can you believe it!?" AJ was silent before shaking her head,
"Naw, I can believe that...But, where'm I 'sposed to get a sex bot? What, ya' want me to ask Mr. House? Maybe he can make one." She laughed then, throwing back her head and slamming her empty whiskey bottle on the bar, "Can I have another scotch?!" James Garret was stoic,
"You're drinking whiskey."
AJ shrugged, "Poop, shit. It's the same stuff, Garret. Just get me one for the road." Garret shook his head, "Nope. That was your last one on the house, now you gotta' go to work. Go and speak to Mick and Ralph, maybe they'll know." AJ's eyes were wide, "What, you mean no more hooch for me?" Garret's face was blank, "Yes, that's exactly what I mean, now get out and find me a sex bot!"
At that AJ giggled and slid from her stool. Garret watched anxiously as AJ stumbled gingerly out of the Atomic Wrangler Casino.