Note: When I wrote this chapter, I made an educated guess as to when the Cubs would win their next world series. I figured them winning it all would be a sign that the world was about to end. Then again, as I write this, we might be less than three months away from Donald Trump getting the nuclear football, so that might still be true.
.
Chapter 88
.
Eve tried to sleep late on Sunday October 16th. This was more difficult than she'd expected. Her body was becoming used to getting up early, and this was her only day to sleep in. She had quite a few responsibilities, school, Ravenwood, side-walk counselor, and black-market footsoldier while doing these other jobs. The first week was an adjustment. Typically people just went up to Eve, said what they wanted, Eve sold it to them if she had it. Eve got more customers the second week as she became better known. Although Eve ate better and got to enjoy shampoo, she felt somewhat guilty. Nadia didn't neccessarily judge Eve's choices, but didn't partake herself. This was difficult for Eve. Although the food shortage ended there was still tensions between christian and muslim students. The situation in Saudi Arabia, and reverand Walker only helped fuel these flames of hatred. Both groups tended to stick with each other more than usual. It hurt Eve that Nadia dissaproved of her activities. While grateful to Nadia for everything, Eve found herself drawn more to Amy. Amy said that the Sons of Liberty were running a candidate for congress in next year's mid-term elections. Eve should come hear what this guy had to say. Eve declined, at least for the moment.
.
On Sunday October 23rd RJ hosted a barbeque at his mother's place. The main purpose was to watch game seven of the world series, Chicago cubs against New York Yankees. There were secondary purposes as well. RJ wanted this as a show of power, to keep people knowing who had resources. Police officers were invited, this made them happy enough to let RJ continue his business. And with police stations closing, or not being open past 8pm, hour response times, RJ needed some cops on his side. This party was also a good way to keep track of his employees during their off-hours. And providing them with free food and drink made them hungry to do more work for the boss. RJ said he didn't have employees himself, but he clearly had some power in the organisation. Eve was happy to be here, one of the perks of being involved in the black market. Tomorrow there was a week-long conference at Ravenwood. They needed all hands on deck. Zack was taking Eve out of school for the week so she could work here. It was important, Dole was negotiating details with oil tycoons for fuel for Ravenwood shelters. This barbeque was neccessary, a good way to have fun before the conference. But like most things these days the barbeque was related to survival. These were a holdover from the end of the last ice age. The whole tribe worked together to hunt. Those who worked well with others survived longer, produced more offspring. Their genes survived, eventually resulting in these barbeques. With ELE coming, humans might have to learn to hunt together again. Eve enjoyed wathing the game, but feared it could be the last world series game ever. It was held at Wrigley field, the oldest baseball stadium still standing. Going into the bottom of the 9th the score was tied 2-2. The cubs had a man on third, and only one out. The batter swung away, and the yankee outfielder caught it, the second out. But this allowed the man on third to steal home. With one sacrifice fly the cubs won their first world series championship in over a century. Eve joked that that the world must really be ending if the cubs had really won the world series. She was only half joking.