I needed power. Like 21% isn't desperate but I am in serious danger. When it's just a phone at 20% it's more like eh I can wait to charge it. but my life is at 20% and I don't want to risk it. In addition, I don't have a charger to even plug into.
Right now the only way I think I can earn money is at a pawn shop so I can pawn off the jewelry that I stole from the house that I robbed. I've been walking for 3 hours without finding one though.
Finally, I decided it would be better just to ask. I put on the ratty coat that I originally had on and walked up to a shady guy that I hoped would point me in the right direction. He was tall and muscular but only high school-aged which followed an interesting trend. Most of the poor looking and shady people looked like high school students.
No adults which probably means they all get shipped off to the government housing where they can scrounge the rest of their lives and live in squalor. Even the middle class cannot tolerate having homeless people around their houses. Hatred for the homeless must run pretty deep. I wonder though if the houses are jam-packed around here for that reason. sharing a room with 10 other people means you're technically not homeless but you would still live horribly. Any homework would be pretty impossible to do in such an environment too so I bet kids in these areas don't do as well in school as others.
In addition to the labor that they probably have to do to earn their keep as well.
I kept a knife in my sleeve just in case he tried to rob me or something.
"Whachu want"
"I'm wondering if I could sell something."
"What is it?"
"Some jewelry I found on the ground." I intentionally used a bad excuse so he knew how I really got it.
"Well Vally down at Higgs and 163rd might care but I don't. If you ever want some Claria or some Vassi come to me Ion always hang out here tho."
"I will." Well, the drugs wouldn't do shit for me so unlikely.
It took me half an hour to go to the location he mentioned and I peeked in nearby alleys. There was no one in them so I looked around and thought about it. There was the convenience store that was on the corner. Maybe under the table, he buys and sells stolen goods. I decided to walk in and thinking it would be better I walked straight up to the counter.
There was 1 other person in there but he was in the corner. I decided to lean over the counter and ask.
"I heard I could sell things here."
"Come back after this guy finishes."
So they do wait for everyone to get out before doing business.
I decided to look around and see what kinds of things they sold. Snacks, Drinks cheap clothes it's not a bad place I might buy some stuff.
I even noticed some brands albeit with different marketing and packaging that I recognized especially the chips and the drinks.
After the guy left I walked back up to the counter and he said.
"Selling?"
"mostly yeah if I see something I'm interested in I'd buy it but I'm almost broke so we'll have to see. I took out the box and took out a couple of things randomly all while monitoring his reaction.
It was obvious he was trying to have a complete poker face but seeing what i brought out he looked a bit shocked.
"Is that a pearl necklace"
"Yes." he seemed not to care much for the other stuff but the silver necklace with a large pearl in it captivated him even while trying to show a poker face.
"1,500"
"No way 2,500"
"I only have 2,200 on hand so that's the highest I can pay."
"Hmm, what are you selling maybe we could do money and an item."
"I'll show you." He went to the door put up an on break sign and locked it.
His cigarette selling shelf behind him opened revealing all sorts of stuff. Different chemicals and stuff are probably used to make drugs explosives or both. There was some jewelry too and some antiques that I've never heard of because they still came out after when I remember. And there were guns lots of guns and ammo actually.
Everything had a price tag. I looked at the guns. most were too expensive to ask for a trade. The pistols were quite reasonable though. I could have money left over if I play it right.
"How about the MK IIX Glock 19."
The small size would be useful for hiding it most of the time.
"Let me also get 2 extra 17 rd. mags and 100 rounds."
It totaled 2,214 and I was hoping I could get away with it when he pointed to the watch.
"And with that how about 200 now'"
"If you give me that watch you got a deal." The watch didn't seem to be that value and it's useless to me anyway so I agreed.
He gave me a $200 Cash card. I was glad they didn't have 100% digital payment now otherwise I would've been in trouble.
I finally had a weapon and some money. Now I might be able to contend with humans but I'm still far away from fighting those large robots that assist the police. They were far too armored and 9mm bullets would bounce off at most angles.
I wasn't planning on any direct conflict though I was close enough at the park I don't want to be in that kind of situation again.
After that, I saw a dingy hotel that was offering $40 a night a stay. It was as good a deal as I could hope for. I got a room checked in and looked for a plug I could use. The old TV didn't have one and I kept looking. I thought I was out of luck when I saw the AC had the same plug.
I plugged myself in and set myself to wake up when fully charged.