Sprawled out in the courtyard, my ass in a luxury chair with a gin and tonic in my hand, I could see why every bum and survivor this side of the Old Mississippi wanted a room at Tenpenny's. Seriously, I had been around a bit. Nowhere else still had the Old World charm that Tenpenny's had. Many had tried, of course. After a nuclear apocalypse there are always bound to be some sad saps that suffered from a serious case of the Old World Blues. Me? That shit was in the past, and therefore useless. I had more use for a room full of Radroaches than I did a history lesson.
"Excuse me sir, but would you like your drink freshened?"
I looked down from the cloud I had been admiring to acknowledge the barkeep. I nodded, tossing him my glass.
"Sure I do, but if you make my drink this weak again I'll rip your skull out of your tiny head and use it as a shaker to make a drink worth drinking."
Turning pale, the barkeep rushed off. I chuckled. He would make me a nice, potent drink this time, I knew it for sure. Turning my head back to the sky, I wondered at what the agenda held for today. Since getting back to Tenpenny's several weeks ago, I decided to take a break and rest my newly mutated bod. After all, I didn't want to over-exert myself from all the work I hadn't been doing. And anyway, I deserved a vacation after being mutated against my will.
"Hmm…" I hummed to myself.
Maybe I had an idea of what to do with myself after all. I could definitely start going on a Mutie killing spree, and hopefully pick up some intel on my captors along the way. And from what I could tell, the killing would be good. Word had been spreading through the Capitol Waste that Mutants had started showing their ugly faces more and more often around the D.C. Mall area, and that the Brotherhood had started offering pay for anyone willing to clear out the green a little bit. Before I could think further, the barkeep returned, a newly poured (and hopefully, for his sake, stronger) drink taking up lone residence on a shiny metal tray.
"Here you are sir. I made it just as you asked."
Staring straight into his eyes, I swept the drink off the tray, taking a long quaff. Had I still been totally human, I dare say the drink might have killed me. The bitter alcohol seared its way down my throat, leaving a tingling numbness behind. I laughed a short, sharp laugh.
"Now that's more like it, uh… what's your name?"
"Hal, sir."
"Alright Hal. You know what? I was considering killing you a little bit ago, but this drink seems to have changed my mind. You get to keep your miserable life."
A look of pure relief came over Hal's face. Bowing low, he backed away, quickly disappearing from sight. Leaning back into my chair, I kicked my boots up. After I had shredded all my previous clothes in my transformation, I had to scrounge around to make myself look decent again. Luckily, several wandering caravans had clothing items in my size, along with enough scrap metal to build armor for my massive frame. It was no T-51, but it would work. After all, new body, new abilities. I could take much more damage than I used to, which would come in handy in a pinch. Of course, the new appearance didn't exactly sit well with many people, especially since Mutants had started going on killing sprees. It took charm and a quick tongue to make sure I didn't get blasted by everyone in the Capitol Waste, and those two traits were harder for me than they used to be.
Taking the last swig of my almost lethally potent drink, I rose, tossing the glass over my shoulder. I had made up my mind about what I was going to do, now that I was freshly rested and all liquored up. I was going to find Rachel. That little bitch left me for dead when those Muties cracked me over the head and dragged me away. Could she have used those two robots built for killing and saved me? Absolutely. Did she? Not at all, which pissed me off. What pissed me off more was the thought of her frolicking through the Waste, not a care in the world. But oh, what a nice little surprise she was in for.
I sighed. Unfortunately, I had no way of knowing just where in the fuck she was. She could have just up and left the Capitol Waste. She might still be here, but untraceable. I remember her being oddly skilled at hiding, a trait I had never had the desire to master. Why hide when you can kill? Heading to my suite, I began constructing ideas on how to find my little runaway. I could put out a hefty bounty for her ear. That would draw the scum of the Wastes to her like evil magnets.
I frowned. But that would take caps. And I hated the idea of parting with good caps just for Rachel's death. Besides, that would neglect me the satisfaction of killing her myself, something that brought a smile to my face and a hop to my step.
"Well, my boy, don't you just look cheerful!" a wizened, old voice quipped as I entered the stairwell.
My mouth curved into a grin as I shot a look upwards.
"Pops! How are ya?" I smiled back, throwing a wave up in the air.
Pops was my nickname for Allistair Tenpenny, the owner of the luxurious Tenpenny Tower. Several years ago I had done Mr. Tenpenny a small favor, which resulted in my addition to the Tenpenny family along with the friendship of both Allistair and Mr. Burke, two gentlemen that I had the pride to work with and live alongside over the years. Mr. Tenpenny soon found out that I had the skills and desire to murder, and therefore utilized my services in exchange for various gifts of varying nature. It wasn't a perfect friendship, but it worked.
"Just fine, my boy. Just fine indeed. What's got sunshine shootin' out of your eyes?" Tenpenny questioned, stalling on the stairs in front of me.
"Well Pops, I was just making plans to murder someone. You know, the usual."
"Ah, I see, I see. So, are you off to do the deed right now?"
I groaned.
"I wish it was that simple, but I have to find her first. It's been a long time since I saw her last. She could be literally anywhere."
Tenpenny crossed his arms, looking pensive. I stood, half standing, half leaning against the concrete wall of the stairwell. I knew better than to interrupt when Mr. Tenpenny was thinking. Minutes passed, several people making their way up and down the stairs, though they all turned back when they saw Alistair blocking the way. Every resident knew the wrath that could be raised from distracting Tenpenny during one of his thinking sessions. Finally, the silence broke with a sigh from Alistair.
"My boy, I will have Mr. Burke work his magic. Go see him and tell him about your missing woman, and I'll have her found within the fortnight and brought here."
I smiled. "Thanks, Pops, but I'd like to just know her location. I'll take care of the rest."
A brief look of mischievous joy lit up Tenpenny's face before it relaxed into an easy smile.
"You are just a treat, my boy. Just a treat, indeed."