Chapter 2: Automation

Freeside was just as quiet in the mornings as the Atomic Wrangler, not many squatters hung about the Garret and Van Graff haunts, the Van Gaff's ran the plasma weapon bracket, the Silver Rush just across the road from the Atomic Wrangler. AJ nodded at their door guard as she walked out of the street. She sighed annoyed when she spotted the Atomic Wrangler's crier, Bailey. Being a crier, Bailey had one of the most annoying voices in Freeside, if not the most annoying voice in the whole of New Vegas. AJ did her best to try and get past the skimpy crier without being spotted,

"Oh, my god! AJ! Where've you been hiding?!"

AJ felt her blood curdle as she peeked over and stared at Bailey, "Oh, yeah, Bail. Hi." Bailey smiled prettily and beckoned her over; AJ rolled her eyes and stalked over. "How's tricks, Bailey?" Asked AJ bored and Bailey responded in an enthusiastic drone,

"Yeah, it's been good! It won't be long now until I'm on the Strip! Y'know, I think those Omertas are gonna' hire me for sure! One of them said they'd pay for my passport and everything! He was sooo handsome, AJ!"

AJ's brow snapped together, "The Omertas? Bail, you know they run the Gomorrah? The Casino?" Bailey bobbed her head, curls bouncing wildly around her pretty face, "Yeah! Isn't that awesome! I'm gonna' be a dancer...Hey, AJ..." AJ looked at her, Bailey's face was earnest and she ducked her head, "Hey, I know you've been on the Strip...what's it like?" AJ's own face was blank, shrugging; the blonde absently fixed her holster that was digging into her leg before answering. Bailey's face was eager,

"It's nice, a girl of your disposition and...Wit, will love it."

Bailey beamed, "Oh, thanks AJ! Well, better get back to work before Francine comes out here and tans my hide for slacking off." AJ nodded and turned away, "Happy trails." She called to the crier as she waltzed away, "Idiot." AJ muttered once Bailey was out of earshot. She heard the crier faintly as she headed towards East Freeside,

"Feeling thirsty? Hungry? Horny? Come to the Atomic Wrangler!"

The roads through East Freeside were particularly ugly in AJ's opinion, she wasn't much pleased to see squatters lying everywhere – most of 'em dog tired, starving and grubby looking. All of the squatters were NCR civilians, the locals – like herself – most of 'em were blind to the squatter's misery. AJ was in agreement, if they wanted to fall under NCR protection, well, those idiots would see what came of that. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. AJ grew angry as she thought of the NCR, the biggest thieves in Mojave, the great NCR, what a joke, she thought.

Kicking a random foot that was jutting out of an alleyway, AJ heard a grunt, "People gotta' walk here, idiot, move your feet off the road!" AJ spat, and the old squatter glared up at her, "You'll get your comeuppance!" AJ snorted, "Doubt it, old timer. Only folk like you get that." The old squatter watched her as she walked towards Mick and Ralph's, spitting on the ground she walked on in her wake.

Finally AJ was upon Mick and Ralph's, it was a poky little auto shop, ammo and guns were the main priority, but they sold bits and bobs, little bits of shine that might be useful to somebody. AJ had found most of their wares very useful in her career as a mercenary. Getting repairs on her guns and armour and such. AJ was not surprised to see the local Jet pusher, Dixon, hanging around outside. His scored face lit up when he saw her approach,

"Well, well..." He began smoothly. AJ was a good customer of his, "If it isn't AJ. You still slugging it for the Garrets? Heard about your trip into the Strip," AJ frowned and Dixon said in mockery,

"Poor Caleb, eh?" He chuckled before dissolving into a fit of coughing. "You should lay off that Jet," AJ advised as Dixon wiped some vile saliva from his mouth, "Oho, rich coming from you. So, speaking of Jet, you want any? It'll keep you goin' and you look tired, pal." AJ shrugged her usual response and handed him twenty caps.

"Much obliged, AJ. Have a good day now." AJ barged past the grimy man, "Yeah, whatever, Dixon. Just watch you don't get jumped by those squatters for your gear." Dixon began to cackle again as AJ made her way into Mick and Ralph's, her head was pounding – the whiskey was beginning to wear off. Groaning, AJ rang the bell on the counter. Nothing. She rang it again, more aggressively this time.

Nothing again.

"What the hell?!" AJ growled and threw herself over the counter, her legs in the air and bellowed, "Hey! Mick! Ralph! Pair of fucking nerds! You gotta' damn customer! Get your asses down here!" Leaning back, AJ muttered, "Unbelievable." There was a clamour and suddenly Ralph appeared, his face flushed, "Oh, AJ, sorry 'bout that. W-what can I do for you today?" AJ was surely, "Can you get me...An IV?" Ralph was confused and frowned, "An IV...For what? And what the hell would you need an IV for?" AJ looked at him squarely and complained, "Because I have the worst hangover, why else?" Ralph relaxed and laughed, producing a bottle of whiskey, he got two shot glasses and poured them both drinks.

"Thanking you, Ralph." AJ said with a wry grin before swallowing the shot with Ralph. They both shivered and had another and then a third before Ralph said, "So," He swept away the shot glasses and whiskey as AJ shook her head to clear it, "what can I do for you today?" AJ flashed a smile at him, making the Asian man blush, "Okay, I need something, and it's a little weird."

"Alright, what?" Asked Ralph, leaning forward. AJ leaned in too and said in a clandestine voice, "Ralph, can you – in any way – get me a...sex bot?" There was silence. Until Ralph cleared his throat,

"A sex bot?"

"Sex bot, yeah."

"Really?"

AJ frowned, "Why would I make this up? It's not for me, if that's what you're thinking. It's for the Fucking Weirdo." Suddenly Ralph's face cracked into a smile, "Oh, right, the Fucking Weirdo, of course. The Ghoul's client in the Atomic Wrangler?" AJ shrugged and nodded, "Who else?" Ralph bobbed his head and rubbed his chin as he thought. AJ shuffled as she waited on Ralph, "Well?" She pushed impatiently.

"Hmm, I dunno' where you'll get a sex bot, if I'm honest, AJ...but," AJ nodded at him, "'But...'" She prompted and Ralph clapped his hands, "Well, you could try Cerulean Robotics, but they've been closed down for, well, ages now. The whole place is overrun with damn critters; maybe they'll have what you're lookin' for." AJ folded her arms and nodded as she thought,

"Okay, thanks, Ralphie." He nodded, "No problem. Anything else?" AJ stepped over to the wall and absently gazed at the posters that decorated the place,

"Yeah, can you make me a...robot brain?" Ralph cocked an eyebrow, "A robot brain?" AJ waved her hand impatiently, "Yup, well, I dunno' like a sex personality chip-thing, if I do find a sex bot, surely it'll need to be configured or something. Look, I don't know what you dorks call it, but something that'll make it more...forthcoming." Ralph was looking moody now, his arms folded over his wiry frame, his jet black hair was tucked behind his ears, "A holotape?" AJ clapped, "Yes! That's what I meant! See, that's why you're a geek and I'm not, get me?"

With a sigh, Ralph nodded. "Okay, I'll see what I can do, come back tomorrow and get it." AJ smiled again, she giggled when Ralph blushed again. "Thanks Ralphie, you're a diamond." See you tomorrow." Ralph waved, "Yeah, sure, see ya', AJ." With that AJ left the shop and Ralph returned to work.