The Partying had continued through the Night but as time was coming short people had started to go home.
Lizzy's was closing soon for they were only open at Night.
Yet Rich remained as he had spent most the time sipping his Lemonade and pondering of better thoughts then the current problems with Maelstrom.
Rich had thought about all the new recruits that had joined recently and saw nothing but young people with all the talent in the world.
Some of these young guns were straight up genius's that could have succeeded by starting up they're own companies, they could have gone to college and gotten degrees in Cybernetics and Ripping.
And they simply joined up because they wanted a life full of excitement and adventure.
Well he couldn't wrong them for that, everyone has a calling for adventure even himself at one point.
Others wanting to dable in the Cyber Occult aspects that no other group in Night City is better tuned with then Maelstrom.
If only they knew what they were in for.
Lucky for Rich he had 2 days off for the week and he would probably come back later to enjoy himself again.
The club had died down significantly then earlier in the night.
Most people were off the dance floor, others were having fun in BD porn.
And there was the few like him just sitting down and having a drink just more conversations with others then themselves.
"I have to be honest, out of all my time working here, I've never seen a person just sit down and say nothing and do nothing for 5 hours straight" said the Bartender starting up conversation.
"Apologies, it's been a long time since I've come to a place like this" spoke Rich explaining himself
"No need to explain, I just find it refreshing among the usual" spoke the Bartender as he offered a kind smile to lighten the mood.
"I'm Mateo, it's not usual that people order Lemonade around here" spoke the Bartender not really knowing how to continue the conversation.
"Rich" spoke the maelstromer offering his name.
"I knew about the drink for a long while I just haven't been around to have it again" spoke Rich introducing himself and again explaining himself anyways.
"Besides the Lemonade, what made you decide on Lizzy's for tonight?" Spoke Mateo as he leaned on the counter a bit.
"Trying to forget some things" said Rich now choosing not to explain himself.
"You may want a little something stronger to forget, Lemonade is more refreshing then blasting" spoke Mateo with his experience with drinks.
"Not into Alcohol" said Rich as he sipped his Lemonade.
"Ah I see, for being in a bar your tastes fit more with street vendors and fast food joints regardless staying clean is hard, Respect." spoke Mateo as he crossed his arms for second to show his respect.
"Never had the will to stay clean from such things for long" spoke Mateo now explaining himself.
"How long" spoke Mateo losing to curiosity again.
Rich had to think about it this time because he honestly didn't remember when he started all he knew was that he had manged to stay clean for a long time now, but he felt he had to give an answer to Mateo so he just randomly came up with a number.
"4 years" spoke Rich which caused Mateo to shake his head in acknowledgment.
Eventually they're conversation would be cut short as the Bouncer came in and announced to the whole club.
"Ok people, it's closing time, Hit the fucking road" spoke the Pale women with the word Mox on her chest.
And with that Rich downed the rest of his lemonade and stood up from his chair.
"See you around, next time is on me" spoke Mateo as he began working to clean up the bar.
"I'll hold you to that" spoke Rich as he walked away from the bar and exited Lizzy's after retreaving his DR-5 Nova Revolver.
It took him some courage to respond because he was lost in that convo he had nothing to add to it and probably should turn down the offer.
Despite the frustration he enjoyed himself after stressing himself out.
Why did being in Maelstrom have to be so God damn stressful he wasn't even an active member with shit to prove to anyone anymore.
Just simply being part of Maelstrom brought heat.
Rich was making his way back to his ride and he was met with something he wasn't expecting to see at 6:20 in the morning.
Tyger Claws sitting right on the roof of his yellow Thorten Galena (Gecko).
There was about 5 of them all.
2 of them holding Nowaki Assault Rifles.
1 of them holding a M251S AJAX Assault Rifle.
1 holding a G-58 DIAN submachine gun.
And the other with only a Katana.
He didn't know why his car among all other vehicles in this part of Watson his just had to be the one.
They saw him and made a move.
That's a bad sign.
He moved before they had the chance as Rich locked on and aimed for all 5 of they're heads and pulled the trigger.
His Cybernetics kicked in as time slowed down, he moved quick, and he watched as they pulled they're guns and aimed at him.
At the end of the day he had no room to judge Maelstrom.
Because there was a valid reason why he was even part of the group to begin with.
Simply he was just like them.
Madly Brilliant, yet tragically violent.
That is who Rich was, a Killer who acts like like a Doctor.
This was a Commonality of living in Night City.
Sex, Drugs, Death, and Destruction.
That was what made this town, and that is what Maelstrom feeds off of.
And Deep on the inside, that drive is what he wishes to feed.
Rich was not a good person.
But he wanted to be.
For what Rich truly desires.
Is to find peace away from this life style.
But as long as he's in Maelstrom that can never be.
Because Maelstrom didn't believe in peace.
Violence was the dictator that simply demanded more, it didn't used to be like this, but at the end of the day.
People Don't Change.
To Be Continued.