Chapter. 17. Preparation for travel (7)
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Crunch crunch crunch crunch –
A quiet time that is too early to be called night and too late to be called evening.
In the old-fashioned office, only the sound of ice being cut could be heard quietly.
Click.
Gurgling –
When the ice gets close to a cube, put it in one of the familiar glasses lined up on one side of the office, and then slowly pour the golden liquid over it.
Alexander Young, a middle-aged man, could not take his eyes off the golden liquid flowing sensuously across the ice, with the scent penetrating his heart.
In terms of value, it is a pearl that is incomparable even if actual gold is melted and poured into it. The sight of melted ice flowing and sparkling in high-purity alcohol containing nearly a century of history was truly a sight I never get tired of seeing every day.
After enjoying it with your eyes, enjoy the scent of whiskey with the right amount of water in it, and carefully take a sip in your mouth as if you were kissing your first love.
A dizzying scent that travels from the tongue to the roof of the mouth and back up the nasal cavity, swirling close to the roots of the eyes. The feeling and thirst that seemed to disappear before I could drink it.
And only then did my shoulders lose strength.
“…It’s exhausting.”
President Young laid his weakened body a little deeper into the chair and let out a sigh.
For him, who barely eats or even sleeps, a drink in the late evening was the only rest of the day and his way of managing his health.
“Um, no.”
Look at this. Even now, as I feel tired for a moment, my eyes are scanning the documents scattered on the desk. His brain, which had become a workaholic under pressure and responsibility, became unable to rest properly unless it was steeped in alcohol.
He has not yet found a replacement for Dom and cannot leave this position during a turbulent time, so President Young himself had to live as long as possible. For Young, who is used to overworking himself, rest is the best medicine.
Therefore, drinking is good for your health.
“Churchill was British like me, so you could say that some of his blood flows through me.”
『I got more from alcohol than alcohol took from me-』
British Prime Minister Churchill, who lived with strong drinks and cigars in his mouth, led the country from the center of a turbulent time, and lived until the age of 91.
It was a name that was both his role model and a good excuse to ignore the doctors who advised him to quit drinking every time he met him.
widely.
“…It would be perfect if I just drank half a bottle more.”
President Young stood up, enjoying the feeling of the words such as raptor, dome, refugee, crime rate, and corruption lining up in his head dispersing with the intoxication. Choosing a drink to drink is also one of the joys of drinking alcohol.
Tiriririk-! Tiriririk-!
Just as he was about to enjoy his rest, a sudden ringing sound in his office tightened his sanity.
It is not the sound of a typical communicator. A secure communication device provided only to a small number of people in the inspection department. Why is the hotline that can directly contact the president ringing at this hour?
Dome. Raptor. badlands. sport. Press. War. sacrifice.
Words as sharp as an awl pierced through the dim veil of intoxication. Even his face, which had relaxed even a little, returned to that of a cold-hearted president.
“This is President Alexander Young. “Tell me who contacted me and for what reason.”
“….”
A heavy silence tightened President Young’s chest. What on earth is going on that makes executives so hesitant to use the hotline?
“I…”
And the familiar voice that followed made President Young’s face frown.
“you?”
“This feels really weird, huh? “The human body has real functions, right?”
“…If you’re going to say hello, I think it would be better to do it face to face.”
“No, he didn’t just put his hand on my chest and wave it around to say hello. “I… have something important to tell you, but… are you sure this is secure?”
“…Is it that important?”
“I guess it’s a bit…”
Professor Park. I definitely ordered him to be provided with a communication device. It goes without saying that he is a suitable person for receiving the ‘most important and reliable communication device’, regardless of his ability or status.
But already? You recovered during the day and it’s only nighttime, and you’ve already found out something important to convey to the highest authority? Something so important that a person like him would even hesitate in such a secret voice?
Since he was clearly the person at the center of all events, we could not treat him carelessly. President Young was mentally prepared. The hand holding the glass was sweaty.
“Say it. “This contact information is safe.”
“…Let me borrow some money.”
Cheer up!
And he dropped the crystal glass he really loved.
what? What did you just say?
Are you asking me to lend you money to make a hotline that is meant to be used only for large-scale mutant attacks, raptor surprise attacks, the worst sandstorms that exceed the capacity of city shields, or any other disaster? So you hesitated?
“It’s about money… I wish you could tell me I heard wrong.”
“Don’t be the first to do that, just lend me some. Let’s just borrow a hundred thousand… no, let’s just borrow a million or so. There’s a lot I’ve done for the Dome in the meantime. “Let’s borrow some!”
It’s even worth about a million shillings. Just a million. Even if he offered to borrow 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 won worth of funds, it would not be enough to even use a hotline, so he ended up borrowing only 1 million, filling the only break of his day with tension that made his hands sweat. That damn guy.
“I came out right after the physical examination, but when I tried to pay at the market, I didn’t bring the Shilling payment terminal! There is no scrap or other valuable items! Let’s do a real favor! I’m at Zeus Valley with Dana, and on our first date, I said I’d buy it for her, but she said, ‘Haha, you don’t have a wallet? You can calculate it yourself, right? Oh, please do mine too.’ “You can’t say the same thing!!”
“No, what on earth do you think the president of the Dome is-”
“They planted a lot of agents from the Inspection Department here, right? Please send just one person! It’s ‘Bena’s Dress Shop’ in the upper part of the valley, so please help me as quickly as possible! “I’ll buy you a drink soon.”
Pop.
“…Professor Park. Professor Park? Are you listening?”
It was cut off.
President Young looked down at the unanswered security communication device with blank eyes, then turned his attention to one of the documents scattered on the desk.
[Based on the depth of the track marks, it appears that it passed through this area about two weeks ago, and the speed of movement is -]
There is no problem reading the text. I don’t really have any faint thoughts.
“…It’s not like I got drunk and lost my mind.”
This means that what you just heard through the secure contact network created for the most important moment is not nonsense, but the truth. I go shopping with my girlfriend but I don’t have any money. Ask someone to lend you some money. ASAP. It’s so shocking that it makes you wonder if there’s some kind of mental defect.
“…At least he’s similar to alcohol in that it takes your mind off things.”
The president looked back and forth between the floor, which was dirty with broken glasses and melted ice, and the Zeus Valley in the distance, bright even at night, and then, swallowing an inexplicable laugh, picked up the communication device used for general communication.
There was definitely someone there who would have been Zeus Belli.
Dang. Dang. Dang-dakkak.
“President Alexander Young I. Is that Ezel Raiden? So, was life worth living there? ah. It’s not that important…”
Strangely, the voice was sly and teasing, and the absurd voice was coming from the other end of the communicator.
Sweet.
After giving the general information about the situation, the president put down the receiver and walked towards his desk.
My previously complicated mind became strangely clearer, so my intended goal of rest was achieved.
…Now that I think about it, you said you bought alcohol in exchange for lending money.
“Professor, did that friend tend to drink a little?”
The president thought about tomorrow’s schedule, remembering the professor who had died a long time ago and had written a masterpiece in front of him.
There was nothing unimportant in his work, but there was nothing that would cost him four months if he postponed it for a few hours.
Since we are friends with whom we can communicate, perhaps drinking can become a workplace.
Thinking like that, the president mentally cleared out all plans after lunch tomorrow.
I was thinking about getting really drunk for the first time in a while.
With that faint smile, only the sound of a pen crunching was left quietly in the office.
****
“You idiot.”
Those were actually the first words that came out of Ezel’s mouth after meeting him for a long time.
“The president contacted me. My brother is begging for money at the market, so go lend him some money. “Here.”
“Thank you!”
An item that Ezel threw away as if he felt pathetic. Portable terminals are items that people commonly use to watch broadcasts while working. A downgrade version of the connector that does not connect, does not chat, and only receives.
Dome people are used to using this to enter their accounts and make calculations because the dome supplies it, but individual survivors are unfamiliar with this type of item. If we had an offline transaction, we would take things like refined scrap or car parts and exchange them. It’s not that I was stupid and didn’t bring it. It’s a cultural difference.
As he said that while waiting for Dana in the locker room, Ezel’s face became even more frustrated.
“It’s so frustrating that I feel like I’m going to search around.”
“what!”
Teook-
“Brother. There is a topic that we people in District 47 talk about a lot. Are you pretending not to know? Are you pretending not to hear? Or are you at a stage where you need medical help?”
“huh?”
“It’s no one else, it’s me. Let me ask you this one time. Brother, can’t you see that something is wrong right now? really? “Why are you here at this time?”
As expected of an agent from the Inspection Department, Ezel conveys his angry emotions in a very secretive voice.
Wrong? Hmm… is something wrong? what?
“Uh…is one million not enough? Do you want to look scruffy?”
“Not money, but disease!!! ….Shin….!”
Ezel thrust his face, half-covered with a hood, at me and lowered his voice as he looked towards the dressing room.
“I told you to stay together just because I got out of the way! I don’t get it?”
The sight of him lashing out on a chair prepared in a corner of the clothing store, waving his hands wildly, made me feel like I was a high treason criminal.
“Wouldn’t we be happy for you? Right now, Bex has mastered the art of scribbling the professor’s face with the tip of a knife to a level close to painting, and Ian has even created a warehouse where he has organized mutant by-product weapons by category, saying that he will have to teach him when he gets out!”
“Uh… huh?”
“There were a lot of things we wanted to do when our brother came out! Drink too! Just like in the old days, we stayed up all night talking at my brother’s shelter! But everyone got out of the way! why? In fact, let’s give some time to two people who just broke up after meeting each other! Everyone was like, ‘Hey, I guess I’m busy so I have to go?’ Just make up some flimsy excuse and let’s go! “And you got away with it!”
Uh… I was definitely wondering why it suddenly disappeared. It was like that. Well, they seem like very considerate guys.
But am I doing well right now? After dinner, I was having a good time in a fun place.
“No! Oh really! The mood right now is a fun atmosphere where I can go out with friends! “It’s not the kind of atmosphere between lovers… where boundaries are broken down a little more!”
We had dinner at a cozy restaurant and quietly talked about what happened while we were away. We talked about difficult moments, difficult days, loneliness, and other things, and gradually revealed our true feelings to each other, enjoying a leisurely meal and conversation for about two hours.
The two, with a bit of alcohol, slowly walked down the street illuminated by dim street lights. When Dana, who was still weak, complained of fatigue, they asked, ‘Then shall we rest a little?’ There is talk about it. At the very ambiguous expression, each other’s faces turn red and the mood heats up!
“Is there an upper-class restaurant in the dome? I went ahead and told them to treat them properly when they come! Ian had polished the car that the professor had been using to a very shiny shine and parked it in front of it! Bex said he cleaned his shelter, which those BDSM girls made with rags, until it shines! For one thing only! For the night when the human Professor Park will write history! “I bought scented candles and left them at my brother’s shelter!”
“uh?”
“But what? You said you ate a bowl of soup and went out to look at the market? Bro, did you get seriously injured while serving in the military? Didn’t you make a leap forward and leave a genetic bag in the middle of the jungle somewhere? “Did you get hurt from being swept away?”
At that time, my face was as bright red as Ezel’s, which was furious. Is it possible for you to hear me say that much and not understand what I’m talking about?
So, doesn’t that mean that Dana and he… saved the place and prepared various things to give us time to spend a cozy and intimate night?
No, there is a limit to overdoing it, right? These guys?
“hey! Dana and I are still at a stage where we can get there…!”
“I heard that Nephew and Noru got married the day they saw each other! We met for a drink and the moment Jokas threw the roe deer, who said he was upset, on his back and into the house while grumbling, the roe deer got up and overpowered Jokas with a guillotine choke. ‘I’m sorry. I’m in a bit of a hurry right now. “The cub looks surprisingly good-” and just blocked it out… Ugh!! You know what I mean! “They said I started a house in less than a week after seeing my face!”
“No, that’s because they are a group of humans who have fallen close to true beasts-”
“That group of fallen humans is the average of the wasteland, human! In our eyes, the progress of the Park Professor-Dana couple seems to be progressing at a very snail’s pace! It’s obvious to other people that they have feelings for each other, but they both hesitate and end up breaking up, so just relax! mind! After spending several months in the wasteland, who has time to date? You never know when your opponent will fall behind! Ugh! This amount of sweet potatoes could feed an entire refugee population for three years! The rice is already cooked and turning yellow, but it looks like it’s not cooked yet, so it’s like waiting! My brother and Dana!”
Sweet!
Just as ‘Introduction to Wild Love Studies’ was about to pour out of Ezel’s mouth like rapid fire, Ezel closed his mouth at the sound of the locker room door opening and muttered one last time darkly.
“….do well. “My sister-in-law was really more worried than I thought.”
“OK.”
“Anyway, today’s mood has already passed, so I’ll just guide you through what happened. Because there are other people around here too. As I said in advance, if pleasant memories accumulate every time you meet someone, it will lead to good feelings. “It’s already come to this, so have fun.”
“okay.”
Ezel says that and her face turns bright as if it were a lie. Dana came out of the locker room and walked around looking around her body as if she was uncomfortable in the clothes that seemed a little tight.
“Ezel? “When did you come?”
“Oh my gosh, sister-in-law! The gatekeeper told me that my brother and sister-in-law were here, so I rushed over! Even though I knew it was a disruption, I couldn’t bear it! Sister-in-law, you don’t really know Zeus Belli, do you? “My sister-in-law was also in the hospital recovering from surgery.”
“I know enough to recognize it as a community. And that sister-in-law… can’t you show some restraint? It’s a bit burdensome…”
“If that’s the case, let’s do it as Dana, just like in the old days! Let’s go, you two! Zeus Valley started as an open-pit mine and then became a black market, so it’s so complicated it’s like an anthill! I will guide you very well for the two people who were stuck in the administration! “There are a lot of real stores in Zeus Valley that you can’t enter without a secret phrase!”
“Uh, okay.”
“It’s not a dangerous place, right? “I don’t even have a weapon right now.”
“What kind of weapon is that body? And it might be a bit dangerous for an average person, but it’s okay for us.”
“Where do you want to go?”
In response to my question, Ezel showed his characteristic crooked smile with a half-hidden face.
“Moby-Dick. Look forward to it. There will be a surprise waiting for you.”
Ezel grinned mischievously and pushed Dana and I back after finishing the calculation.
****
