My hand was on the knob. I partially looked back, just nodded and got out of the building. The nod could have meant literally yes or no. What work did Sam have that night?
The next morning, Sam came to my flat to pick me up. I had passed out on my sofa and realised that only when I heard the banging on the door and Sam cursing me to wake up.
"Get ready, fucker".
I quickly brushed my teeth and put on some trousers.
"Did you have breakfast?", I asked him.
"We will have it on the way", Sam said. He had the same glow of joy and happiness. But this time I was atleast sure where it hadn't originated from. According to Mr. Palladino, Zuschter was a long ride from here, around twelve hours.
The highway was mostly empty and the day was sunny and a bit windy. Huge clouds floated above us like ships. Usually, sunny days were a huge boost to mood my mood but the events of last night were too strong for my brain to get affected by the stupid sun.
I looked at Sam. He had worn black goggles and a white cap, completely oblivious of a secret rotting his life and my moral.
"I researched a bit about Mr. XY".
"What about the hacker? Just robs banks and blackmails international organizations".
"He is one of the highest donors to the cancer NGO in the city and is a philosopher as well".
"Philosopher?"
"Yup. He imparts his philosophy in many leading blogs and sites. There is a huge group in Zuschter following his philosophy".
"What is one of his philosophies?"
"I think read one on Reddit", he scrolled through his phone and then read from it,"So this is how it goes. 'We think that whatever we are now, is a culmination of our choices. Everything is to be blamed on us. Now, I don't completely dismiss this way of thinking since its logically true but through my experiences, I think everything in this world is already decided. The end, your future, everything's scripted. We are all just mere puppets, being moved by the tentacles of fate.' This is one of his core philosophies."
The road was so empty he didn't even bother reading and driving at the same time.
"Shouldn't we do a story on Mr. XY as well?"
"There have been many stories about him by other magazines. Mrs. Weasley won't be happy".
"Yeah even if we print bullshit, it's original bullshit".
We laughed. We stopped by a Taco van. Got some tacos and weed and then were set to go.
"What do you think of dinosaurs?", he asked. He was definitely one of those weird guys who would ask a random question out of nowhere. And what's worse? He expect an answer as well.
"What about them?"
"Are dinosaurs myth?"
"Well, they have found bones and shit", I said.
Sam nodded.
"Millions of years later, when another species finds our bones, fuckers will think that none of us had dicks", he stated.
"Why the fuck do you even think about these things?"
"What I am saying is that all the information we know about ancient animals are all either incomplete or untrue. You can't predict how a creature looks just by the bones, you know?".
"And why do you keep thinking about the future? Like after millions of years who the fuck cares? You keep dwelling in the future and the only thoughts that come to your head is of a potential possibility of your future", I burst at him. And most of my anger was justified though. Future and him were companions from a long road.
"Calm down, buddy. They are just thoughts, man. I don't think about them, they just come to me."
Five hours into the trip, we stopped by a restaurant to have our lunch. The restaurant was dilapidated but had that earthy smell mixed with smells of jalapenos and tomato sauce. It was run by an old couple.
"So, where are we staying?", I enquired,"At your uncle's house?"
"I thought about crashing at his house but that didn't feel right. So, I booked a guesthouse."
"How did you come to know of this news by the way?"
"Well, my uncle said it to my mother."
I nodded.
"And what about the organism?"
"Let's see."
"Are we writing the article like a travelogue?"
"A travelogue would be nice".
"Where are we going to search for the organism first?"
"I don't know. Maybe, starting from the temples on the hills".
"That jelly shit has temples named to it?"
"It's quite revered there, bro".
We reached the guest house late at night. We had taken turns driving but surely Sam had driven the mist so he was quite tired.
I almost carried him by my shoulder to the reception and kept him on the sofa. He curled up there like a cat. Embarrassed, I moved away and went to the reception desk.
"Hi, sir! How may I help you?", the receptionist sweetly verbalized.
This question right here. Why isn't it a default greeting in human beings in general? Why was it just a costomer-consumer formality dialogue? I showed her Sam's phone which had the email of the conformation of our stay there. She looked at it and began typing on her computer. The receptionist was a really pretty girl with thin glasses on. One of those clear faces which you can already imagine how it must look while crying, howling or laughing hard.
"Here is your key".
One key? Sisterfucker had just booked one room? Anyways, I took him to our room. I changed into some other loose clothes and went downstairs while Sam snored away peacefully.
The receptionist stood there emotionless, staring into dead air. I adjusted my hair and moustache and conjured up all the pre-flirting confidence.