Mardock Scramble

He realized that he was desperately thirsty and went into the bathroom to wash his face and drink some water.

As he returned to the bedroom he noticed a ringing noise. Not the hotel room phone. Shell jumped for his jacket and scrambled for his cell phone, which he found after a couple seconds’ fumbling. “Boiled?”

–Yes.

That sturdy voice. Shell smiled and put his sunglasses back on.

“I’ve just had the worst dream. Like a bad trip. A girl was on fire and she tried to strangle me,” Shell said, relieved that help was now at hand. “Have you prepared everything as I asked you? I’m going to head upstream into a different state. Once I’ve crossed the state borders, I’m a new person. I’ll play it steady from now on. I’ll use my money to set up a legit business. No more gambling for me. That’s all over.”

–I’ve received a new commission from OctoberCorp. I need to explain it to you clearly. On top of that—

“What are you talking about, Boiled? Who cares about OctoberCorp anymore? I’m leaving this place, saying goodbye forever to the whole damn city. I’m heading back to my roots.”

Boiled considered this in silence for a minute before answering.

–I thought that you were born in this city, on the East Side.

“What? Forget about that for now. Home is wherever I hang my hat. If I succeed there, that’s where my roots are. I don’t know where to, but I’m heading back home now. And I’m grateful to you, Boiled, I really am. If you hadn’t been there for me, that girl would have crushed me. Strangled me with her bare hands. I really am grateful. You’re a true friend.”

–Is that right?

“It is! My only real friend. You’re my rock—there’s no one I can rely on quite like you. You’ve saved my neck so many times. Let’s stay in touch. Right, Boiled?”

–The PIs for the other side are looking for you right now. We’ve had to publish your rough location, so they’re most probably already in your area. Try not to make yourself too conspicuous. It’s probably best you wait until dawn—any ships leaving your area may be tailed. Everything changes if they find you.

Shell’s brow furrowed, as if he didn’t quite understand Boiled’s meaning. “Are you saying you’ve been feeding them information?”

–Information Disclosure. Unless we publicly share certain stipulated pieces of information, our opposing case won’t be approved. I wouldn’t be able to work for you.

Shell frowned, rubbing his forehead with his other hand.

“I’ve got a bit of a headache, and I don’t think I’m following you. Here I am telling you that you’re a valued friend to me, one I know would never betray me…”

Boiled was silent again. This time the pause was a long one. Shell thought he could hear the faintest of murmuring from the other side of the phone, but then suddenly the line was cut off. Shell looked at his cell phone with an uneasy expression.

The phone rang again. Surprised, Shell put it to his ear. “Boiled? What are you playing at?”

–I don’t want to die.

It was the voice of a girl. Shell stopped breathing. He felt as if the blood had frozen in his veins.

–But still you kill me.

Shell’s mouth was agape and his heart beat furiously.

The image of the girl in flames came rushing back. The girl who took his precious chips, her face ablaze. Her name too flamed back into his mind.

There was a noise at his ear that gradually came together in the form of a man’s voice.

–Mr. Shell…

It was Boiled. Tears of relief flooded Shell’s eyes. “What was that voice just then? Was it trying to scare me?”

–You’re listening in on this line, aren’t you, Oeufcoque? You’re near Shell right now, right?

“What? What’s that? God damn it, I’m asking you a question, Boiled, answer me!”

–I’ll take care of you, Oeufcoque. Go and retrieve your bait. Then I’ll appear. That’s how we’ll do this.

Shell shook his head. The area at the back of his head and neck throbbed with pain.

–Very well, Boiled. We’ll secure Shell’s person from our side.