3.       Elektra.

 

We must’ve made a wrong turn somewhere.  I don’t see any ships around, just some weird structures on a fenced, paved field.  Doesn’t matter.  There’s an inn and there’s a room, and Scarlett has some paper and a few pencils among her things.  I arrange it all on the table while she’s preoccupied with a strange waterless shower - sonic she says.  I suppose they know more about these things in Amber than I do.  I resolve to read more on technology if… hmm… when I make it back home.

 

My immediate task is a little spring by the grove of old pines.  An artist I am not.  I still remember Dad’s face when I brought him my first set of watercolors.  I’ve seen him more upset, but not very often.  When I finally finish the trump, it’s already dark outside.  Fortunately, Scarlett eventually realized what I was doing and didn’t interfere much.  Her flask in my hand, I concentrate on my creation.  Not much happens at first.  Then the drawing starts losing its clarity turning into a kind of a jigsaw puzzle as the Pattern glows brighter in my mind, superimposing over it… then suddenly it gains depth and I see delicate little branches blown in the wind… then running water caresses my submerged hand as I fill the flask in the spring.  Guess we were both quite thirsty, I have to make three more “trips” to the spring before we’ve had enough.  Now some food wouldn’t hurt either…

 

“Leta, would you have that sorry excuse for a man at the front desk send us the best diner he can find in this forsaken place, and I don’t care if he has to snatch it from Bubba’s table.  I got to go… do some things.  It better be here by the time I come back.”

 

I refill the flask once more and walk outside.  As I expected, there’s a tavern right across the street.  Not much better than the first one, but fortunately empty, the hour still being rather early.  I walk to the counter.  The proprietor is a dirty old man, and not only in a sense of a grooming neglect – they all seem this way around here – but I feel blood flashing into my face as his eyes wander all over my body.

 

“A glass of water, please.”  I do my best to ignore his looks; looks like touches of filthy paws…

 

He hesitates for a moment, apparently considering if he should demand a payment upfront, but then pours from a dusty bottle into a small glass and slides it along the counter toward me.  I bring it to my lips, take a small sip and with a grimace of disgust spit the water on the floor.  Then I empty the glass on the counter right in front of him.

 

“What a yuck!  How dare you bring me this camel piss, you worm?”  I hope there’re camels around.  It’s a desert after all.

 

It’s not for long he’s at a loss for words.  “Lady, I don’t give a darn if you like my water, but you owe me 10 credits regardless what you do with it!  And I’d watch my tongue round here if I were you!”

 

I can’t help but notice some missing teeth as his mouth forms a rather threatening grin.  “Well… I don’t have any… hmm credits.”

 

His grin becomes even broader.  “Ah, in this case… we have other ways to collect from wenches…”

 

I don’t really care to know what those ways might be.  “Why don’t you try this, and perhaps we’ll be even,” I interrupt handing him my flask.  He looks it over, smells it, pours a few drops on his dirty fat finger and licks it.  Then he empties the flask in one huge gulp.

 

“I’d be son of a bitch!  Where did you get this from, lady?”

 

“That’s not important.  What is – there’s a lot more where this came from.  Is it worth something to you?”

 

“Ugghhh… how much can you deliver, lady?”

 

I’m not really interested in their credit riches, but we need to pay for the room, and I do want the word to reach Bubba.  “Hmm… as much as you may want I suppose.  Would a small lake suffice?”

 

“I’ll give you 40 credits per gallon… err… 45 credits!”

 

He would make at least 150 selling it by the glass… “I think I shall take my business somewhere else.”  I make a move as if to leave.

 

“Hold it, lady.  You smuggle stuff in, do a quick wholesale, and are gone off world, but I’m the one to take all the risk!  You know as well as I do, the water distribution is strictly controlled on Tatuine.  Alright, 60 credits!”

 

As a matter of fact, I didn’t know.  Didn’t know this place was called Tatuine and not Tattoo either.  Still I need to make a proper impression.  I start walking toward the door.  He’s faster than I thought for someone his size… by my side in no time, grabbing my arm.  As he flies into the wall, I already regret having yanked my hand too forcefully.  Now I have to run back, fill the flask again and start all over at another place…

 

“Who the hell are you, lady?  Were you not a woman, I’d swear it’s a Jedi trick!  Darn!  75 credits, take it or leave it!”

 

“Don’t you ever lay your hand on me again, Shadow man, or I’ll fix you better than any…uhh, Jedi!”  I impassively watch him crawling by my feet trying to get up, his fat belly wobbling.

 

“Now, I’m staying at the inn across the street.  Have containers brought into my room.  Ask the inn clerk for Ele.  In the morning come with payment and the means to transport them out discreetly.  When this transaction’s complete, we’ll discuss the next one.”

 

I walk back to the inn hoping the dinner has arrived by now.  I need to regain my strength.  Scarlett shall have the huge bed all to herself tonight.  I’m going to be busy filling bottles.

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