CHAPTER 10

BUT I HEAR THE VOICES SAY

"Finally," Cris said. "I've been here for, like, a long time. And they don't let you play Final Fantasy here. And this fucker keeps spanking it." He looked over to his cellmate.

"Hey Geoff," RoboRico said. "I'd shake your hand, but I'm kind of busy here. Spanking it." To emphasize it, RoboRico clapped his fist down on his crotch a few times.

"I can't take a nap with him doing that," Cris said. "Faaaack!"

"Well," Reddington said. "It is Hell."

"Cut the shit, Cris," Geoff said. "Gimme my seven bucks."

"That's all you got to say to me?" Cris said. "Gimme my money? What the fuck?"

Cris sighed tremendously. He dug around in his wallet and came up with a ten. "Got any change?"

"No," Geoff said.

Cris shoved the bill at him. "Take it anyway. Just leave me the fuck alone."

Geoff didn't take it. "I didn't ask for ten. I just want the seven you owe me."

"For the love of Christ," Reddington said. "I'll take the ten. And here's seven bucks." Offering a five and two ones to Geoff.

"I want it from Cris, not you."

Reddington stared at him for a moment. "Why do I feel like I'm in an Abbott and Costello routine?" He sighed almost as tremendously as Cris. He took the ten and gave Cris the seven. "There. Now it's Cris's money. Cris, give him the seven bucks."

Cris did, and this time Geoff took it. "Okay, now you can go fuck yourself," Geoff said. He flipped his brother off.

"Oh thank fucking Christ," Reddington said. "It's over."

"Okay, take me back to the real world," Geoff said. "Come on! I don't have all day! Chop chop!"

The wall behind Cris slid away, revealing what looked like a stage and an auditorium behind it. A crowd cheered, and Reddington clapped. "Come on, Brothers Zim. It's time to finally finish . . ." He waved his hand around him. "Whatever this is."

RoboRico climaxed. Very loudly.

TO BE CONTINUED . . .