"Give our fine gentleman and ladies a drink, will ya bob?" the shady man said.
The dim lighting of the tavern shone on shady man's scruffy face as he gestured to the burly bartender who responded with a nod and proceeded to fill four glasses with a dark, frothy liquid. The tavern was warm, filled with the background noise of casual conversations, laughter, and the occasional heated argument – a stark contrast to the quiet desolation of the world outside.
"Name's Cody," the man said, leaning back in his chair, and gesturing to himself with a thumb. His voice had a noticeable gravelly quality to it, worn by years of talking above the constant din of the tavern. His eyes twinkled under the brim of his worn-out hat as he extended his hand towards us. "Best scrapper in town."
Both Cassidy and I took turns shaking his calloused hand, his grip firm and sure. The man had the air of someone who's seen it all, his weathered face showing the telltale signs of years spent scavenging and surviving in this post-apocalyptic world.
Once we'd taken our seats again, Cody leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table, a serious expression replacing his previously jovial demeanor. "Now, I brought you here for a reason," he began, his gaze shifting between the three of us. "You all look like you can handle yourselves. I've got a job coming up that could use some extra muscle. A scavenging trip into Calgary."
He paused, taking a sip of his drink as he watched our faces for a reaction. The silence stretched out for a few heartbeats, our minds quickly assessing the potential risks and rewards.
"Scavenging in the city ain't no walk in the park," Cassidy finally broke the silence, her voice measured, "So, what are we talkin' in terms of compensation?"
Cody smiled at that, his eyes sparkling with a certain admiration. "Sharp and straight to the point. I like it." He leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming on the wooden table. "Well, let's just say it's a job that pays well for the risk involved."
The 3 of looked at each other then back at Cody again, with a weighing look on our faces.
Cody's hands drummed a rhythmic beat on the table as he took a measured sip of his drink. "Now, I'm not gonna send you three out there empty-handed," he began, pausing for a moment to set his glass down on the scarred wooden table. "I'll provide everything you need for the job – guns, ammunition, even a ride."
His voice was low and gravelly, words spoken with a level of authority that spoke of years spent surviving and leading in the harsh post-apocalyptic world. There was a spark in his eyes, a light that was a blend of excitement, anticipation, and a hint of fear – the typical cocktail of emotions when one was about to embark on a dangerous journey.
"We've got a good selection of weapons at our disposal, and we'll let you pick out what you're most comfortable with," he continued, gesturing with his hands to emulate the size of the imaginary arsenal. "Pistols, rifles, shotguns... even got a couple of crossbows if you're more of the silent type."
He chuckled at his own joke, the sound echoing off the tavern's wooden walls and melting into the hum of other conversations happening around us. Cassidy remained impassive, her gaze never leaving Cody as he spoke, evaluating the man and his proposal.
"As for the ride," Cody said, his eyes glinting with a hint of pride, "we've got an old school bus. She's not much to look at, but she's sturdy and can carry a good load. Got her all decked out for these types of jobs."
The conversation then shifted to the topic of compensation, a subject that caught all of our interests. Cody promised a 'generous' pay – a vague term in this new world order. But he quickly elaborated, ensuring us that it would include a fair share of the spoils and enough goods to ensure a comfortable living in Banff for a considerable time.
"The job's dangerous, no doubt about that," Cody said, his gaze serious, "but if we play our cards right, it'll be worth it. We'll all come back a whole lot richer."
"What's the pay?" Cassidy asked.
Cody leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he assessed Cassidy. He seemed to understand the gravity of her question and responded with careful deliberation.
"Well, you all seem like a smart bunch. You must understand that money, in the traditional sense, doesn't hold much value anymore. No, what we deal in now is far more practical." He paused, taking a moment to let his words sink in, his gaze never leaving Cassidy's.
"Food, water, fuel, ammunition... those are the currencies of this new world. As such, your payment would include a decent share of our spoils, enough to keep you comfortable for quite some time."
He then leaned in closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "But I'll sweeten the deal. Alongside the spoils, I'll offer you all a month's worth of rations up front – a mix of canned food, dried meat, bottled water. Plus, a steady supply of fuel for the next two weeks. And that's just the start. If the run proves successful, and I believe it will, you'll also get a cut from the major loot."
Cody's words filled the air, creating a tangible picture of a life that went beyond mere survival - a life of comfort and security, however relative those terms were in a post-apocalyptic world. It was a compelling offer, one that took into account our needs and went a step further by providing an opportunity for a more stable future.
"Mind you," he continued, pointing a finger in the air for emphasis, "this isn't just a one-time gig. If things go well, we can make this a regular thing. A constant flow of resources in exchange for your protection. Sounds fair, doesn't it?"
"We need a minute." I said, then I turned back to Kaya and Cassidy.
Cody nodded in understanding and took a step back to give us some space. I ushered Cassidy and Kaya to a corner, away from prying eyes and ears, to discuss our options.
"We have two days left before we run out of resources," I started, my voice hushed but laced with concern. "Two days before we are back to square one. And let's be honest, jobs here are scarce. We don't have a lot of options."
Cassidy crossed her arms over her chest, her eyebrows knitted together in deep thought. "I get that, Chang," she began. "But isn't this too risky? We'd be going back into the heart of chaos. And for what? For promises from a man we barely know?"
I nodded in understanding. Her concerns were valid. We had escaped from the horrors of Calgary once; going back meant willingly walking back into the lion's den. It wasn't a decision to take lightly. But I also knew that desperate times called for desperate measures.
"Listen," I responded. "I understand your concerns, and they're completely valid. But we have to look at the bigger picture. Right now, we're not just surviving; we're slowly dwindling away. His offer... it provides a chance. A chance to secure our future. To ensure that we don't just survive, but thrive."
Kaya, who had been quiet all this time, chimed in. "Chang has a point. Yes, it's a risk, but it's a calculated one. We have skills, we have experience... if anything, we stand a better chance than most. And let's not forget, we have each other. We have proven time and again that we are stronger together."
Silence fell over our huddle as we all considered Kaya's words. She was right. We had faced unimaginable horrors together, survived them together. If there was anyone who could pull this off, it was us.
"But what about Yan-Hua and Hazuki?" Cassidy suddenly asked. "We can't just leave them behind."
"No, we won't," I assured her. "We'll talk to them. Maybe they can stay here, keep working. Keep a roof over our heads. We'll figure it out, together."
I looked back and forth between the girls one last time. A silent agreement passed through us. A moment later, I broke away from the silence, then turned to Cody and said:
"Alright, we will take the deal."
Our decision had been made and I could feel the heaviness lift from our shoulders. It was replaced by a burgeoning anticipation of the path we had decided to tread. Cody's hearty cheer echoed our sentiments as he turned to the bartender. "Another round for my newfound compatriots, Bob!"
Bob, the bartender, smiled and began preparing our drinks, his movements as smooth as the aged whiskey he poured. The amber liquid glinted under the dim lights, dancing into the glasses with a comforting familiarity.
Cody's wide grin was infectious. He slapped the counter in approval, and the hearty thud resounded in the tavern, stealing glances from the other patrons. "Awesome!" he exclaimed, the simple word filled with genuine excitement and camaraderie.
His hand was outstretched once again, inviting us to seal our pact. His grip was firm, the callouses of hard work evident against my skin. I felt a strong sense of commitment and couldn't help but mirror his enthusiasm.
"We'll see you tomorrow, 5am at the town square," Cody laid out the plan as the handshake was shared between us. There was a newfound respect in his eyes that made the uncertainty of our venture feel a little less daunting.
Cassidy and Kaya followed suit, shaking hands with Cody. The deal was now sealed with the time-tested tradition of a handshake, binding us in our collective commitment.
As we toasted to our new partnership, the tavern buzzed around us, blissfully unaware of the crucial pivot we had just taken in our journey. The potent liquor burned a trail down our throats, searing the pact into our consciousness.
I really fking hope this is the right decision...
Q: What you take up a scavenging job in a zombie apocalypse?