Bullet I.
A week had passed since Rock arrived in Roapaur. A week since that crazy kidnapping and assassination attempt by his ex-boss. Fortunately for him, everything had gone smoothly since then. Rock decided not to return to Japan, at least for the time being, and settle in the city.
He just wanted to spend the rest of his new life quietly. And the best way he could think of, was to look for a job, since he was not used to doing nothing all day long, besides, sooner rather than later he would run out of money.
If possible, he preferred a job that was normal, not related to criminal trash. Something incredibly difficult given that 90% of Roanapur's inhabitants were mobsters, murderers, thieves and a long list that was getting worse and worse. And I didn't know anyone either.
Only four people, three of whom had kidnapped him and he preferred to stay as far away from them as possible. So Rock went with his last remaining option and asked Bao, the tough bar owner called "Yellow Flag", for a job.
To his surprise, the man readily accepted.
To Bao, Rock was a new guy, who knew nothing about the city, and who could handle the shitty customers that showed up there while he rested and handled his whores, a much more pleasant and relaxing business. It seemed like a good idea to him, even more so if it only paid him "minimum wage."
If the guy got shot in the head afterwards, it was no longer his problem.
And so, that's how Rock started working at The Yellow Flag. Everything seemed to go well for a few days, until ...
She arrived with a heavy suitcase, and dropped it on the seat next to her. She settled into her seat upright and interlocked her fingers. "A glass of milk, please."
"Um, excuse me miss, but we don't serve milk.". -Responded Rock, smiling forcibly. A woman dressed head to toe in a strange maid's uniform in a bar that reeked of cigarettes, blood and who knows what the hell else. He was beginning to think that maybe someone was playing a joke on him.
The maid tilted her head slightly to the side. "My apologies. I'll have a glass of water, then."
"I don't recommend it, the water here tastes funny. Can it be that you don't drink alcohol?"
"No."
'Then what the fuck are you coming to a bar for?' -Rock thought, keeping his smile. "I see. However, customers here are served alcohol..."
Again, she bowed her head. He thought it was kind of a cute gesture, and she was attractive. But her expressionless face and tone of voice made him lose that charm, and even made him a little afraid. "I see. In that case, give me a beer please."
"He'll be right out." -After a moment, Rock handed her a well laden glass of beer. "Here you go, miss..."
"Roberta. My name is Roberta." -said the maid, then taking a small sip of the drink. "I've just arrived in town and I can't quite place myself. I have to meet some Colombian friends, do you know where I can find your office or..?"
Rock shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I've only been here a couple of days myself, so I don't know much about the city either. I'm sorry."
"I see..." -Roberta let out a small sigh. "Since I got here, I've had people try to steal my luggage, I've been insulted, and a man tried to grope me."
'I'm not surprised.' -Rock thought bitterly. Roanapur was a mousetrap filled with criminals of all kinds. "I'm sorry to hear that, this town is very hard on outsiders."
"Yes, it seems so." -Roberta looked straight at him and gave him a small smile. "You are the only person here who has treated me kindly. Thank you."
Rock could only laugh awkwardly. That was a low blow. She'd been there the whole time with a face worthy of a statue and suddenly she comes out with that smile. Hell, she was cute.
"Oi. If you guys are done flirting..." -said a woman, abruptly appearing and hitting Roberta in the process. "I want a pe...ah."
"Ah!" -Rock exclaimed as he recognized her. It was impossible for him to forget her. She was the woman of his nightmares. "Revy!"
"...Frog?"
"My name is Rock!"
"Oh, ooh, yeah. The guy from the... the one who was...yeah, Rock."
"Damn, you don't even remember me!"
He growled under his breath. He didn't want to see her again, any of those three stooges, but since they lived in town it was only natural that he'd cross them from time to time. Rock just hadn't expected it to be so soon.
"I'm surprised to see you still around.". -Said Revy. "I thought you'd already taken off back to Japan. Or that you died out there in a ditch."
"I'm tougher than you think."
"Sure. Whatever, give me a Pepsi, will you?"
Rock scowled at her for a moment, then went to get the order. During that moment of absence, Revy noticed the look Roberta was giving him.
"Don't bother the clients.". -Said Rock, appearing with a can of Pepsi. He tossed it to her, she caught it easily. "There you go, anything else?"
"Nope. how much do I owe you? I got twenty-five cents and a crushed candy."
"No need. It's on the house."
"Hey, look at you. Quite the experienced bartender. If Bao hears you say that, he'll kick your ass."
"Whatever. I'll tell him to pay you back for a favor he owed you."
Revy looked at him with a raised eyebrow, then looked at the Pepsi and back at him. "I save your life from that damn helicopter and you pay me back with a Pepsi? Sheesh. Fucking cheapskate." -He said to then walk away.
"Send my regards to Dutch and Benny!". -Responded Rock. 'So if you remember me.'
'You guys know each other.' -Said Roberta, after making sure the rude woman didn't hear her.
"Something like that. We have a little history."
"This jerk got kidnapped and he was dumb enough to stay. That's the story." -Commented Bao, appearing on the scene. "Shift change, Ricky, you can go rest. Or go with the whores upstairs, whatever suits you best."
"My name is Rock."
"You think I care? Beat it."
Rock nodded. He wasn't upset with Bao, the man had nothing against him, he just talked like that to anyone.
And just as he's about to leave...
"Hey, bitch dressed as a maid! We heard you've been poking your nose into our business."
"Oh hell no." -Bao lamented as he noticed some men armed to the teeth show up. "Man, not another shootout please."
"Shootout!?"
"You better take cover, Richard, this shit's gonna get intense."
"Wait! Why a Shootout? And my name is Rock!"
So, in just one week, Rock had another near-death experience.
Rock was running as fast as his legs would let him and breathing hard. He was not used to exercise, as he used to be a businessman who sat in front of a computer for hours at a time in his office.
It also didn't help that he was carrying a boy about ten years old and half his weight, nor that the bar he was in had become a battlefield. Of course, having bullets whizzing furiously across near his head was good motivation to keep running, but it was still tiring.
"Why is this bar so fucking huge!?" -Cry Rock to no one in particular. It was only about 10 meters from the bar counter to the entrance-exit, but to Rock it seemed like 100.
"No, the size is normal. It must look bigger to you because you're scared." -Replied the boy Rock was carrying.
"You are too calm despite this situation, Young Master!"
"My name is Garcia and no, I'm not. I'm so scared I might throw up!"
"Don't!"
"Too late...! Bleeaaghh!"
"Gaaahhh!"
The kid, Garcia, had been left alone in the middle of the shooting, then used as a hostage by Revy and a bunch of other stuff that Rock didn't pay attention to because he was taking cover. When things were getting worse and there was no sign of ending, Rock seized an opportunity and fled for his life.
Rock really regretted leaving Bao behind, but if somehow Bao managed to survive, he would apologize to him later.
Then he saw the boy standing stupidly still, as bullets and blood flew around him, instead of running or hiding. Rock couldn't blame him though, he was just a kid and probably scared.
He almost left the bar when his conscience prevented him from leaving the boy to his fate, and he had to go back to rescue him. Then he carried him as if he were a sack of potatoes and started to run again to the exit like the devil takes the devil.
Finally, they were both able to get out onto the street, miraculously without being shot, and Rock promised himself to start exercising. But as the gunfire still continued, he had no choice but to keep running in search of safety.
"Oh, look, that's Rock.". -said someone inside a car passing right in front of them. "Hey, over here Rock!"
"Benny?, hold on a second!". -shouted Rock, thanking whatever deity took pity on him at that moment.
Wasting no time, he walked over to the car, inwardly thanked Dutch's noble heart for stopping, as he was driving, and opened the back door, but froze at the sight of Revy, bloodstained, lying on the back seat.
"She's dead!?"
"No, just unconscious. Are you going in or not?" -said Benny in the passenger seat. "Everything's gone to hell here, so get in before that shit catches up with us." -Benny realized who Rock was bringing." ...What the hell are you doing with that kid?"
"I found him alone at the bar." -Rock roughly tossed the kid, who let out a small scream and landed on the unconscious Revy. "His name is Garcia. Garcia, these are-"
"The idiots who kidnapped me!" -the boy exclaimed.
"... What!?"
"Oh, boy. He remembers us." -Said Benny, smiling nervously.
"Of course he does, you fools! Why did you leave me there!?"
"Sorry, kid. We thought it was for the best, you know, we didn't want any trouble with that demented maid." -Responded Dutch. "Nothing personal."
"I'll tell Roberta to kick your asses, you idiots!"
"What the hell's your problem kidnapping people!". -Rock exclaimed, indignantly. "Are they crazy or what?!"
"Hahaha, it's a family business!"
"It's not funny Benny!"
A huge explosion shook the car. The three men and the boy saw how the bar had been blown to bits, while out of the smoke and dust emerged a figure. Her maid's outfit was intact, and she showed no injuries. She fixed her gaze relentlessly on the car, specifically Garcia, and began to run in his direction.
"Ah, hell." -Said Benny. "It's that psycho bitch. Dutch, get our asses out of here."
"Wait! Just hand her over to Garcia and everything will be taken care of!". -Said Rock, but Dutch ignored him and sped up the car, quickly leaving the maid behind.
"Sure, then she'll kill us as thanks.". -Dutch replied. "We kidnapped the kid, remember? No fucking way I'm going anywhere near that crazy bitch."
*Thud*
The four looked back, and watched in horror as the maid was hanging on to the trunk of the car, using a large, deadly knife to keep hold of.
"Okay, I admit, that was cool.". -said Dutch to then start zigzagging the car in an attempt to break free. But Roberta was still firmly clinging on and was slowly starting to climb. "Damn This broad just won't quit!"
"Bleeaaghh!"
"Stop, you're making Garcia puke!"
"No, man, my car!" -cried Benny. "I had it cleaned yesterday!"
Dutch ignored him and pulled out a revolver. "Get down, Rock!" -He warned before he started shooting.
Roberta made an impossible turn and climbed completely on top of the car, pulled out two guns and also started shooting. Rock and Garcia were more or less safe, as they were both lying on the floor of the car, while Benny was wriggling like a worm to avoid being hit by the projectiles.
Then, Benny noticed how the car went through a metal fence. "Watch out Dutch, we're going to crash!"
But the warning was too late, the car hit a dumpster head-on.
Of everyone in the car, Dutch got the worst of it, as he hit his head on the steering wheel.
It wasn't a serious injury, but it still hurt like hell and would surely leave a bruise. The seatbelt had kept Benny from flying out the front windshield and getting shit on. Rock and Garcia were apparently okay, and Revy was still unconscious, but no other damage.
"Fuck, you can tell there really is a God in heaven, because it's a miracle we're even alive." -said Dutch.
"What happened to Roberta?" -Garcia asked.
"She's fine." -Answered Benny, breaking out in a cold sweat as he watched the maid land perfectly on the ground. She was unharmed. "Maybe too well. What the hell, is she a robot or what?"
"I told you, Roberta is strong.". -Garcia said proudly.
"Wryyy!" -Revy suddenly stood up, startling the men and the boy.
"Whoa! Revy?"
"That motherfucker's dead, you hear me four eyes, you're dead!"
"Aw, shit." -said Dutch. Her Berserker button had been activated, if he didn't stop her now, there would be a massacre. "Don't let her get out of the car!". -Revy kicked open the battered car door, sending it flying, then got out. "...Never mind."
"Wait Revy, what do you think you're doing?" -Said Rock, following her.
"What do you think, asshole? I'm going to fill that bitch's ass with lead."
"No! No need for that, she just wants Garcia back! If we-"
Revy interrupted him by putting one of his guns right on his forehead. "Listen Frog, I'm not in the mood to argue with an asshole like you. I'm really pissed off right now. Don't mess with me, or I'm going to-".
But Rock swung the gun away, causing it to accidentally go off and almost hit Garcia, who let out a small shriek.
"What you're not in the mood? Don't fuck with me!" -Rock exclaimed, grabbing Revy's shirt collar and pulling it close to his face. "I'm the one who's truly pissed off here, I'm trying to live like a normal person and all you idiots do is drag me back into one of your crazy shits!
"Hey... you're the one who came running to our car carrying that puking machine."
"Don't push me, Benny."
"Right. I didn't say anything."
Revy was momentarily stunned, as she hadn't expected that kind of reaction from him. But she quickly recovered and pushed him back to free herself from his grip. "I don't give a shit about that Frog...!
"My name is Rock, learn it already, you stupid asshole!"
"Grrr, you're seriously looking for me to kill you idiot!"
As they argued, Dutch, Benny and Garcia quietly got out of the car and started to drive away. "Young Master!" -But Roberta's voice stopped them, as well as Rock and Revy. "Come with me, please, so I can get you to safety."
Revy pointed her guns at her and prepared to fire. Roberta instantly mimicked her. "You should worry about yourself, you crazy bitch, and not that worm."
"You better watch your mouth. I don't allow anyone to talk that way about the Young Master."
"Yeah, go ahead and fuck yourself. Besides being a lunatic, you're a horny pedophile whore for that little shit."
Roberta frowned and began to slowly approach. She stopped when they were face to face. "I was planning to just shoot you dead, but I better cut out that filthy vulgar tongue of yours and shove it up your ass, surely sluts like you like it that way."
"Try it four-eyed bitch. The only thing dirty and vulgar here, is that thing between your legs that you're so eager to give to that brat."
Dutch covered Garcia's ears, and he looked at him confused. "What is horny? And what does Roberta have between her legs that she wants to give me?" -asked the boy.
"Maybe you'll learn that when you're older.". -Responded Dutch, shaking his head. 'This is not for a kid to hear.'
The tension was on edge, so much so that it could be cut with a knife. Then Rock stepped between the two of them.
"Wait!"
"Move out of the way, Mr. Rock."
"Yeah, get out of the way you idiot. This isn't your problem."
"Of course it is. It's become my problem from the moment the two of you fucking psychos set foot in the bar." -Rock replied. "Enough of pointing your guns in each other's faces, you stupid women, or do you think we're in the Wild West?"
Revy clicked his tongue. "I warned you, asshole."
She pulled the trigger, releasing a furious bullet. But to her surprise, Rock grabbed her hand and pushed it down a second before, causing the shot to impact the ground. "...!" . -Revy fired again, only with his other gun. But Rock pulled his hand away again, only this time upwards, making it shoot into the sky.
Roberta took the opportunity and fired as well.
"Uh!"
However, she lost her balance when Rock pushed her by kicking her in the stomach and her shots hit some containers.
"He's got good reflexes." -Benny pointed out.
"Quickly, someone stop Revy!". -Shouted Rock to the others as he struggled with Revy. Garcia was just a kid, so there was no way he could help. But Dutch and Benny didn't move from their place, they just watched everything in silence. "Somebody stop her dammit!"
Dutch scratched his head. "Yeah, listen Rock, Revy's not going to die, she's pretty handy with a gun. So don't worry and let them fight."
Benny agreed. "Yeah, it's not like we could really do anything either, I mean, we can't against her."
"You two are useless!"
Lights suddenly appeared. Revy stopped trying to retrieve his weapons and Rock was able to get a few meters away from her. His arms were sore and tired, one more minute and he would have lost, she was either stronger than she looked or he was just another good-for-nothing. Rock thought it was a little of both.
"But what a racket you were all making.". -Said Balalaika, appearing on the scene, along with a battalion of his men. All armed and in position to shoot. "But you'd better calm down, the three of you, fighting will gain you nothing."
"...I was trying to stop them.". -Said Rock.
"And you failed miserably, yes, you're welcome for intervening.". -Balalaika turned her focus back to the women, specifically Roberta. "You know, Miss Maid, I have some good news for you-."
"Yeah, I really don't care.". -interrupted Rock again, shrugging his shoulders. "I mean; my intention was never to get into this mess...so I'm leaving now."
"...Ahhh? But if I have a really cool, detailed explanation ready to stop this conflict." -Balalaika complained, while making a gesture with his hands to point at his men. "We've been here for a while now waiting for the right time to go in, you know, to make it an epic entrance. And you're just going to leave like this, without hearing anything? What's wrong with you man?"
"I'm tired and worried about Bao, I left him alone in the middle of a brutal shootout. And his bar blew up."
"Tch. Bao's fine, besides, he's a side character and nobody cares about side characters. I mean, he appeared a few seconds on screen in all this time. The guy was just filler."
"...I'm not getting anything you're saying."
Balalaika sighed. "Whatever. Just stay to listen to the explanation and then you can leave, in fact, anyone who leaves before I finish talking will be shot." -Sentenced the captain, leaving those present shocked. "Very well, as I was saying, I have good news for you, Miss Maid..."
Rock looked at the others. Dutch and Benny also looked at him and shrugged, while Roberta, Garcia and Revy were really listening to Balalaika. With no other choice, and afraid of getting shot, Rock sighed and walked over to where the other two men were standing.
"...Is she always like this?" -Rock asked Dutch, in a low voice, so the Russians wouldn't hear.
"Sometimes." -Dutch replied. "Especially when she's bored and with nothing to do. Just let her play 'commander' for a while and then she'll go to sleep quietly."
"Shhh. Look, there's a Garcia x Roberta moment." -said Benny, strangely enthusiastic, pointing to those two, who at that moment were hugging each other. "Will it be true what Revy said, does Roberta want to fuck the kid? Man, Garcia is lucky."
"...Benny, you're disgusting and degenerate."
"What's wrong with you, dude? He's just a kid."
"Oh come on, it's just a bit of healthy curiosity and perverted envy.". -Benny replied. "Or are you telling me you wouldn't like to see what's underneath that maid outfit?"
"S-she's not my type." -Said Rock, feeling his face heat up. "And look, now those two are fist-fighting!"
"That's right, Revy wouldn't accept that everything would be solved without a fight, and Rosarita agreed to come to blows with her.". -Said Balalaika, who walked up to them. "It was the most peaceful and least lethal solution I could come up with. Besides, it's entertaining."
"Rosarita?" -Dutch asked, frowning. "And who the hell is she?
"The maid. Her real name is Rosarita. Didn't you hear my...?"
"Ohh, ohh, right. Yes, I heard it perfectly. I'm sorry, I'm just still a little stunned by everything that happened, you know."
"Right..." -Balalaika looked at him suspiciously. "In any case, let them fight, let them release tension. And by the way, anyone interested in betting to see who wins? I'm betting $2,500 that Roberta wins."
"Are you kidding? Revy will tear her to pieces. I'm betting the same amount that Revy wins." -said Dutch. "Benny, Rock, your bets?"
"Nah man. I don't like bets, I'll pass.". -Responded Benny. "Besides, I'm unlucky."
"A tie." -Said Rock, who had witnessed the strength the maid possessed. But he couldn't underestimate Revy either, as she really strong. "$3,000 says it all ends in a tie."
Balalaika nodded. "Sergeant Komrade, do me a favor and take down the stakes. I don't want any regrets or fooling around later."
"Yes, Captain!"
"And what do I do with these things?" -Rock asked, sitting down on the floor to rest a bit, realizing he still had Revy's guns in his hands.
"Don't go giving them to him now, that would be cheating.". -Quickly Interjected Balalaika.
Dutch nodded in agreement. "That's right, you'll give them back to her when the fight is over."
Rock watched as the two women fought violently, and it didn't look like it was going to end anytime soon. He let out a tired sigh. "Can someone give me a cigarette?"
