SWNOVELXO Chapter 7: Cratersville
Dante helps Killen as Colin approaches and pulls his arrow out of the dead Ratclaw.
Colin: Stonequest, you always were a slippery bastard.
Killen: It's good to see you still have your crossbow, Colin....where's your nephew?
Colin: James is making sure the children are safe...though I guess this will be mating season with the Ratclaws....Fucking beasts....
Colin: Damn it.....
Colin turns his head to notice Dante.
Colin: Who the hell's the caveman?
Killen: This is the guy that helped me get here....the running crew sent with me didn't make it....
Colin: Bo?
Killen nods his head.
Colin: I'm sorry to hear that....
Colin approaches Dante and shakes his hand.
Colin: and you are?
Dante: Dante.
Colin: Colin....It's good to see new faces....some that survive that is.....this world, its hell....
Nathan: Well, it's hell for people who don't know how to kill or shoot.
Killen: Nathan...it's good to see you (shakes hands with Nathan).
Luke arrives.
Luke: Killen, you crazy motherfucker....I thought you were dead for sure....three whole fucking days, man....
Killen: Yeah, I know....I wasn't able to find anything in the Marshlands....
Walter and Jacob remove their masks and armor. Luke looks around.
Luke: Bo?
Killen: Got bit...Zeus Corps killed him....if not for (looks at Dante) this man, I wouldn't have made it here....
Luke and Nathan notice Dante. They then walk up to Dante and introduce themselves.
Luke: I'll be goddamned....we're always welcoming new faces around here...Luke Stahl. The town's mayor.
Dante: Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mayor.
Luke: Oh.."Mr. Mayor" Haven't heard that one in a while. I see we'll get along just fine. You treat my people politely and you can stay here as long as you please, sir.
Dante: Understood, sir.
Nathan: Glad we understand each other. That way I won't have to arrest you.
Luke: Forgive my boy. He's always on edge.
Killen: Luke here has been taking in people who can't defend themselves....we help give them a chance....
Nathan: While we can give them a chance...(shakes Dante's hand) Sorry. Nathan Stahl, the town's deputy. I keep the peace around here.
Luke: And my oldest son.
Walter: Stonequest, we're about to head out of town....were there many Ratclaws around?
Dante: We were pretty lucky to get here....there's some kind of nest in the building by the wrecked plane....it's their mating ball...I'm Dante by the way.
Walter: Heard....Walter Smithson.... I'm the barber when I'm not doing this shit. this hairy motherfucker over here is Jacob.
Jacob: Yeah, yeah, keep making your jokes, Walty....I'm still getting the most kills of Ratclaws....I'm the reason cocksuckers like Blood Hogs are fearing nightmares like me....
Killen: You want a nightmare, Jacob? It's outside waiting for you....look there's some kind of nest near all those shopping centers....try there. It's where they were all coming from.....Hey, Dante....maybe you should get settled in....there's a shack in the north you can rent for a few days...(Killen pulls out a bag of caps and tosses it to Dante, who then pours it out onto his hands).
Dante: Bottle caps?
Killen: Trust me....they help around here...if you plan on getting a haircut tomorrow, you'll need em....I'll see you tomorrow....
Killen walks with Nathan, Luke and Colin. Dante enters the shack office as he spots a man smoking a cigarette at the desk.
Ian: Can I help you, sir?
Dante: yes...(approaches Ian) I'd like to rent a room....(pours out a ton of caps on his desk) How much?
Ian: Fifty caps....
Dante: Fuck me....
Ian: too much?
Dante: No, it's just cheap....that's all.....
Ian: Everything's cheap in the wasteland.
Dante: that right? (Dante hands Ian fifty caps) well, what's not cheap in the wasteland?
Ian: Your life.....
Dante: I'll have to remember that.
Meanwhile, in Washington, three helicopters appear flying to a Kronos Industries Facility, where in one of the offices, a general wearing his uniform is looking out the window. Ryan, who is now in his late forties', walks in.
Ryan: William.
Burton: Doctor, to what I owe the pleasure of you visiting my office?
Ryan: I'm working on a cure.
Burton: (scoffs) Like the last couple of cures you've tried.
Burton turns around
Burton: and have failed?
Ryan: This one won't fail.
Burton: Python was a failure.
Ryan: Just hear me out.
Burton sits in his chair as Ryan presents his documents on Burton's table.
Ryan: By using the cells of some other volunteering subjects, I've deduced that the cells from venom were foreign and ....
Burton: Ryan, I've heard this before.
An older bald African-American man in his Zeus Corps uniform with the rank of Captain appears in the room.
Cole: He's just trying to find ways to bore you, General.
Ryan: Captain.
Cole: Doc. What are we discussing here?
Ryan: a new strain that could be used as superhuman strength or accelerated healing that I've found in one of the subjects. He has a very special cell.....from my brother's cells actually....
Burton gives a look that he seems interested.
Cole: his blood was accepting the symptoms of the Python, Cobra and Venom drug, but they're not killing him like all the other subjects.
Ryan: For twenty years, I've kept this in cryo-stasis, studying a way to cure his infection. You see; he was clawed by an infected while trying to escape the city. I injected him with the Python strain to fight off the infection, but in process, not only did the serum cure him....his cells are regenerating.... they were evolving...our other test subjects just died, but with his blood, we can make a vaccine....this could be our answer....to reversing the effects of the Python Virus....
Burton: Who is this subject?
Burke looks his pad at the names.
Ryan: Subject 19. My brother.
Cole: You put your own brother in a refrigerator for twenty years, Doc?
Ryan: yes....It was the only way to save him.
Cole: That's what I was coming in here to tell you about, General.
Burton and Ryan look at Cole.
Burton: What are you talking about, Captain?
Cole: At about 2:18, yesterday afternoon, someone hacked into the systems, and released Subject 19. From where we heard from our scouts, he escaped with two other wastelanders. We managed to kill one of them, but the target and the other wastelander disappeared in the subway.
Ryan: We need my brother... With his blood, maybe we can create a cure....
Cole: You're working on silly potions trying to make a cure, while my men are trying to remind those animals that we run shit here....why don't you do us a favor and create a serum that makes us like your brother?
Ryan: my silly potions are the reason some people are still alive....and a superhuman serum would take days! Weeks even!
Cole: yeah, and I remembered when Python was the "Number 1" product, it was supposed to be the beginning of us winning wars across the country. It was supposed to bring strength, power and order. Instead, it brought us sickness, chaos, and madness. Society, justice, law, and order are history. Hell, if we asked these assholes who John F. Kennedy was, they'd say "the guy who freed monkeys".
Burton: Doctor, if you'll please give me and the Captain a moment.
Ryan walks out of the office to leave Cole and Burton.
Burton: You should be nicer to him.
Cole: Yeah, I should be nice to the man who created the shampoo of death.
Burton: Captain.
Barnes looks down. Cole nods.
Cole: I apologize, sir.
Burton: did you find anything?
Cole: We searched near a settlement in the deathlands where your son may have been, but placed had been raided and picked clean.
Burton: Damn it.
Cole: Sir, with all due respect, why are you still searching for them? I mean; how do you even know if you're other your brother or your youngest son are still alive? You offered them food, shelter, and hell, books. But no, they'd rather live in the Crazy ass Wasteland with the trash.....
A young African American male soldier appears in the room.
Burton: Ah, Lieutenant Desipich. Report.
Kyle: Just returning from a west settlement, sir.
Burton: Excellent. Razor's running out of men soon.....
Kyle: Sir, if I may add concern to the matter, there were...um....families in that settlement we captured...teenagers.....kids
Cole: Bloodhog families....Bloodhog children...Bloodhog kids...wasteland trash....expendable....
Kyle: I understand that....but...they all didn't need to be killed....We could've....never mind, sir.
Kyle leaves the room, before Cole speaks to Burton.
Cole: Why do you keep that boy around?
Burton: Because his father was one of our most brilliant scientists....and a good friend of mine.
Cole: He hesitated to execute a wounded wastelander and Blood Hogs. The boy is a liability.
Burton: Our families have history.
Cole: History that fucked up the world, General.
Burton: You worry about your men and the missions I had to you, Lieutenant. Not my personal life.
Later on, Kyle is in his room, sitting in a chair and thinking before Burton enters his room. Kyle stands up.
Kyle: Sir.
Burton: As you were, son.
Kyle: If this is about earlier, sir....I just had my concerns....I mean, I hate Blood Hogs as much as anyone here and I know they keep messing with our operations, but...when there's children and families involved...
Burton: I know....but Blood Hogs aren't the only threat out there in the wasteland...Kronos is slowly taking the world back and it's up to Zeus Corps to help them take the world back.
Kyle: We're taking back a barely functional world....a dying world.....a world I don't think is worth taking back...with all due respect...
Burton approaches Kyle and pats him on the shoulder.
Burton: You're a good soldier, Desipich and I do understand your concern....with all you've seen....but you're going to be apart of a future where Kronos will help rebuild our damaged planet and our society.....
Kyle: A future as what? A soldier who just follows orders to pull the trigger wherever he points the gun?
Burton: For now....but eventually, you'll be a leader....of something....I can see that in you...in your father.
Kyle: Can I speak to you as a family friend?
Burton: Permission granted...
Kyle: Do you ever wonder about your family? Your brother and your sons?
Burton: Shawn's on leave right now....
Kyle: What about Colin and your nephew?
Burton: I hope they're still out there...still alive...Get some rest...think about what I said.
Burton leaves the room as Kyle stares out into the distance of his window. In Cratersville, in Colin's house as he puts his crossbow next to his bed. Colin then hears a noise and pulls out his knife, before he then thrusts his hand back as his knife stops at the throat of a younger man wearing a black beanie and goggles. Colin lowers his knife.
Colin: Sneaking up on someone making noise can get your throat cut. Where were you?
James: checking on the kids with Sarah like you asked.....you think you can look at this?
James presents a compass to Colin, who takes and examines the compass.
Colin: You've been buying stuff from Justin and Blaine again?
James: Yeah, why?
Colin begins to laugh with James confused.
James: What?
Colin hands James his compass.
Colin: It's fake, man.
James: Bullshit.....
Colin: I'm not bullshitting you.
James: What do you mean it's fake? I spent 40 caps on this thing and when Blaine demonstrated it worked well.
Colin: Well, when Justin sells it. It's true quality and when Blaine sells it....it's a fucking dud or just plain bullshit....you got fucked, little nephew...
Colin laughs as James begins laughing too.
James: Fucking A, man....well, least, I can add it to my collection.
James pulls looks under his bed to find his created projects.
James: Like this?
James grabs a robot he created.
Colin: That thing? You build that when you were about seven.
James: Yep. Mr. Jax. He's going to be of use someday to this world.
James tosses the broken compass aside.
James: So what happened earlier? How come Nathan needed you at the gate?
Colin: (sighs) Killen's back....him and someone else...some guy....Bo's dead.
James: Damn. I mean, I'm glad Killen's back and it sucks about Bo. He was a cool dude, but why can't he bring a girl home for once....that's single....and in peace.....
Colin: Yeah....(sits down on the bed as James sits down with him) I've been thinking...been listening to the radio.....there's a settlement up north...good people....hard working people....strong people....strong walls....maybe, next year, after the winter, we can start making our way up there.
James: why do you want to move from here?
Colin: because it's not safe here.
James: And you think up north is safer?
Colin: Yes, but right now...this town; they need us....any word on your father or Shawn?
James: I'm not worried about Shawn and Dad.
Colin: James....
James: They wouldn't even help us after my Mom died....they won't help us now....you forget...(stands up) they work for Kronos for Christ sakes.....
Colin looks down. James then looks for something under his bed.
Colin: looking for something?
James: No, no, just...uh....trying to get my shoes under the bed.
Colin: or looking for your bong?
Colin pulls out a bong on the drawer as James looks at Colin.
James: Fuck! (stands up) Colin-
Colin: Don't tell me....you were getting shitfaced high again with Josiah....Nathan said you've been smelling like pot for the past two days....now I see fucking why! (tosses bong into the floor, shattering it)
James: What the fuck, man?! That's not mine! It's Josiah's!
Colin: What did I tell you, man? huh? what the fuck did I tell you, man? This shit is bad for you! If Luke knew about this, you would be thrown in jail and I won't bail you out again like last time.
James: it's a way to relieve stress, man.
Colin: Stress from what?!
James: "Stress from what"? look around you, Colin.....we've been doing this shit for the past twenty fucking years and got nowhere....so yeah....this is a good excuse to try and forget that I'm living in a goddamn nightmare that I can't fucking wake up from....
Colin: You have a great imagination, James. You build things just like that. You create them, but you waste your talents with petty shit like this....I know I'm not your father, but I made a promise to your mother I would look after you as if you were my own flesh and blood, son.
James: I'm going to go take watch...
Colin: James, wait....James!
James walks out of the room.
Colin: Shit.....
James walks over to his friend, Josiah, who is outside smoking a cigarette taking watch.
James: Sup, man.
Josiah: Sup, bro.
The two form a brotherly handshake.
Josiah: What's wrong, man?
James: My uncle found the bong you gave me.
Josiah: Shit, man...you tell him why you're smoking out of it?
James: Yeah and he says it's no excuse. I should be doing something positive like helping with the kids and making sure everyone is safe...what's fucking positive in this damn world anymore?
Josiah: Apparently....nothing now....you hear there's a new guy in town?
James: I heard...
Josiah: girls are already drooling for him.
James: Already, dude? It's been a couple hours.
Josiah: No offense, bro. I love you, but you'd get laid if you lost the beanie and the goggles.
In Dante's room, he is having nightmares of the horrors of the wasteland including Zeus Corps and Bo. Dante falls out of bed before blacking out again. Dante awakens in another bed as he notices a pint of blood and medical equipment. A blonde woman approaches Dante and checks his fever.
Nora: Well, the good news...you don't have a fever....
Dante: And the bad news?
Nora: Bad news...none....you're absolutely fine...you have post traumatic stress disorder.
Dante: What's that?
Nora: It's when you tend to not be able to forget things...traumatic experiences like death....you would've slipped into a coma if Ian hadn't noticed you on the floor....I'm Nora by the way....I'm the nurse around here.
Dante: Nora; what a pretty name...I'm Dante...
Nora: Word of advice, Dante....walk around town....meet some people....it'll help ease with the memories.
Dante: Does it help you?
Nora: It does.
Meanwhile, Billy and another man wearing a cap, and mechanics suit work on the sprinkler and water system.
Ben: Dude, it's gotta be the fountain system. It's sprained a leak.
Billy: No wonder the water smells like piss. You got in the set in the damn lake again, man. You trying to poison us, boy?
Dante approaches Billy and Ben.
Dante: excuse me?
Billy and Ben turn their heads towards Dante.
Ben: Hi....new guy...and I'm in my work clothes....(licks his hand, takes off his cap and wipes his hair)...
Billy: Son, you're wearing a goddamn cap.
Ben: Hey, sir....
Dante: I'm looking for Walter....he's the barber around here.
Ben: ...why you lookin for him?
Dante: Long hair and beard gotta go...looking like a caveman.
Billy: Ben, stop harassing this poor guy and fix the fucking leak....(approaches Dante and shakes his hand) Sorry about that, son. Billy Creed...this dumbass is Ben...I'm the sniper...he's the plumber.
Ben: Uh, expert plumber. I'm also the technician around here. I'm Mr. Fix it in a way.
Dante: Uh-huh. (to Billy) So you were the one who took out most of those...things...
Billy: There called Ratclaws....
Ben: but I saved this town from flooding.
Billy: (laughs and whispers to Dante) only to stop the toilet from plumbing....
Ben: I heard that....
Billy: Anyways? You said you're looking for Walter? His shop's over there.
Dante walks away as Ben starts talking to Billy.
Ben: dude, what the fuck?! I could use some help with those toilets. Plus, he's big. He can get me laid.
Billy: He's got more important things to do than to help you get your dick wet, boy. Stick to hookers.
Ben: Nancy was not a hooker, man....she was special.
Billy: Nancy was not that special, Ben.
Ben: She was very special.
Billy: She had a tail that penetrated your asshole.
Ben: Wasn't that bad.
Billy: You took eight stitches to your asshole and couldn't sit down for two months....Nancy got a bullet to the brain from yours truly...
Dante walks into Walter's barbershop, where Jacob sits in a chair and listens to country music on his ipad.
Walter: Ah...welcome. Welcome. Welcome. Please. Step into my office and have a sit. Be right with you.
Dante: Hey, it's....Jacob, right?
Jacob: That's right. Glad you can remember names so easily, friend.
Dante: So....I hear you're one of the best barbers in town, Walter.
Dante sits down as Walter puts a white neck piece and a cloth around Dante.
Walter: Well, look at this. New guy in town and already complimenting the barber. I like you already, my guy. Let's just say I'm an artist when it comes to hair.
Dante: Really?
Jacob: He ain't lyin.
Jacob removes his cowboy hat to reveal his haircut.
Walter: Trust me, my man. You're in good hands. This brotha can make art out of any mans hair, even a white mans.
Walter preps up his electric barber and washes his razors in the sink.
Walter: So, what's the story with you, man?
Dante: The story?
Walter: Yeah, man. I mean; what brings you into town? I know you're new and shit, but I like getting to know my customers. Makes good conversation....For example, what's with this caveman get-up?
Dante: Well, for twenty years, I was locked up in cryo-tank.
Walter looks at Jacob, who laughs.
Jacob: Okay.....
Walter: We got us a man out of time here.
Jacob: And how'd that happen?
Dante: Well, as the world went to shit, I....I got shot....
Jacob: You were put on ice, because you were shot?
Dante: Uh...yeah.....
Walter: Alright...tell me a memory of before you put in the box.
Dante: Okay...well, there was this one time when me and my wife went to the amusement park to celebrate our fifth anniversary....she had always wanted to spend time with me ever since she graduated nursing school...then the saddest moment was when her grandmother got cancer....she collapsed....Harry didn't understand death at first...but at the funeral, I told him his grandmother was going home to be with her creator....
As the conversation continues, Walter puts shaving cream on Dante's beard and brings out a blade, cutting Dante's beard in a clean shave.
Dante:....my wife always had a theory; that life is not for granted. That living is worth dying for. My son and wife made it seem like the death I witnessed in Afghanistan was worth it.....
Walter cuts Dante's hair with his electric cutters, leaving a piece of hair on top with skin on the side.
Walter: Shit....you've got one helluva story, Dante.....married man...army man....ice-man....shit....
Dante: What about you, Walter? What made you want to cut hair?
Walter: Well, I wanted to be a high school teacher, but I also had a passion for cutting hair...it's another gift of mine.....anyway, I ran a small shop to take care of my sick grandmother.....went the world went to shit, she was one of the first to turn....
Dante: Fuck...sorry to hear that....
Walter: It's cool, man...happened a long time ago....
Walter removes the cloth around Dante's neck and torso, before showing Dante his new haircut.
Walter: Well?
Dante: Amazing. Never had a haircut like this.
Walter: I told you, bro. I call this my "Urban Ranger" haircut....
Dante pulls out his caps bag, but Walter raises his hand.
Walter: Naw, bro. Consider this one on the house since you're new.
Dante: Really. Thanks, Walter.
Walter: Thanks for the talk, bro.
After the haircut, Dante enters the bar and spots many pedestrians. Nathan and Ashley is sitting at a table. Sarah, Nathan's other sister, is waiting on tables.
Sarah: Hey, Nathan...who's the new guy?
Nathan: That is Dante....
Dante looks around as he spots Killen talking to Colin about his journey.
Killen: So then Bo turned out to be infected...then he gave his life....
Colin: Fuck man....(pours Killen a glass of water) and you barely made it here, because of that guy?
Killen: Yeah....
Colin: Speaking of the old man.....(points at Dante)
Killen turns to spot Dante.
Killen: Dante.....looking clean, man.
Dante: Killen, can we talk please?
Killen: Yeah....I wanted to thank you for saving my life....I wouldn't have made it here without your help....
Dante: You're welcome....Killen, I need to---
Nathan: Hey, Killen!
Killen turns his head to notice Nathan gesturing his hands to come over to his table.
Killen: Excuse me....
Killen gets up from his seat and walks over to the Stahl's table. Dante begins to talk to Colin.
Dante: So....what do you do around here?
Colin: I'm the bartender. I own this bar. It's the most place where people in the city come and chat....
Dante: Ah....how many employees do you have?
Colin: three.... One's on break. The other is late... (looks to the front door to notice James walking in the bar, wearing an apron) and speak of the devil, here he is now....
James: (approaches Colin and Dante) Colin....I'm sorry I'm late....couldn't find my goddamn apron....
Colin: Again....you need to place your apron somewhere you can find it....as much as you can find your hat....and goggles.
James: I place my hat under my bed....along with some other shit....
Colin: ugh.....Dante, this is my little nephew, James....
James: Hey, nice to meet you, man.
James and Dante shake hands.
Colin: This is the new guy I told you about last night...
James: This is the new guy?
Colin: yep....
James: (quietly to Colin) dude, he's fucking ripped....he can get me laid.
Dante: what is it with this "I can get everyone laid" rumor?
James: You heard that?
Dante: Yeah...
Colin: I've told you, you cannot whisper...
James: As your nephew, I'm going to let that slide with a "Fuck you, Uncle"....
Colin: (laughs) Go get ready, shit sniffer.
James walks to the back of the bar.
Colin: Dante, we're pretty busy. We'll get back to you in a few hours.
Dante prepares to walk out of the bar as Sarah washing a table with a clothe. A man walks over to Sarah.
Thomas: Sarah....
Sarah: (turns to Thomas) What do you want, Thomas?
Thomas: I-I just want to talk....
Sarah: I'm busy....
Thomas: you been getting busy?
Sarah: None of your damn business. I'm working.
Thomas: Sarah, please, look, I-I want us to work things out....you know get things the way they used to be....
Sarah: It will never be with you again...not after I caught with that whore....now, do me a favor and fuck off?
Thomas: (grabs Sarah's arm) See, Sarah? That's the shit that caused the fights....you think you're so goddamned smart, but all you really are just another dumb bitch like all these other whores around here?
Dante steps into the conversation.
Dante: Scuse me? You want to stop that....
Thomas: can I help you, bro?
Dante: notice you getting a little loud around here.
Thomas: I think you need to mind your goddamn business....this is between me and my girlfriend..
Sarah: Ex-girlfriend.
Dante: Noted....(to Sarah) Are you okay?
Sarah: I'm fine...
Dante: You sure?
Thomas: What if she's not? You going to make me back off, old man?
Dante: No...(sniffs) But it smells like you've had one or two beers....so maybe I'll just report you to Luke or Nathan.... Now I'm going to ask you politely to walk away, kid.
Thomas: You think you're the fucking big shot just because you're new here or some shit....Damn...the balls on this fucker.
Thomas attempts to punch Dante, who blocks the strike, before punching him in the face and pinning him to the table, grappling onto his left arm.
Thomas: Get the fuck off me, man!
Sarah touches Dante's shoulder.
Sarah: Hey...please...stop...he's not worth it.
Nathan walks in on this confrontation.
Nathan: Hey! Dante! Let him go!
Sarah: Nathan...
Dante releases Thomas.
Thomas: (coughs) Arrest this prick, Nathan! He just assaulted me! You saw that!
Dante: I didn't even kill you, you pussy....
Nathan: Shut up, Thomas....(to Dante)and you...I'm gonna let you off with a warning, because you're new.
Dante: No charges.
Nathan: (turns to the pedestrians who are staring) Cratersville Sheriff Business! This is none of your concern, people! Get back to your conversations and your drinks!
The bar pedestrians turn their backs and mind their own business.
Nathan: As I said, you're new so don't let this happen again...or next time, it's the slammer. Understand?
Thomas: This is bullshit! He assaulted me!
Nathan: Thomas, shut up!....I'm placing under arrest!.
Thomas: For fucking what?!
Nathan: You know for fucking what! Turn around!
Thomas: Fuck you, man. You ain't your dad.
When Thomas prepares to leave, Luke arrives, standing in front of Thomas.
Luke: I'd do what he says, boy.
Thomas, aggravated, turns around as Luke handcuffs Thomas's wrist.
Nathan: I had that.
Luke: Uh-huh. (to Thomas) Move it, Thomas.
Nathan escorts Thomas out of the bar as Sarah looks at Thomas for a moment, before slapping him across the face.
Sarah: Fucker....
Luke: Sarah! Watch your language!
Luke escorts Thomas out of the bar as Dante looks at her drink.
Colin: goddamn Thomas....I hate when this shit fucking happens in my bar....you okay?
Dante suddenly feels faint and sweaty. After a few moments, he falls to the ground.
Colin: Dante! (checks on Dante) Dante! (talks to pedestrians) Someone go get Nora!
At the nurse, Nora is checking Dante's condition. Nora's expression changes.
Nora: hmm....
Dante: what?
Nora: Apparently...you haven't been poisoned...
Dante: What?
Nora: Hmm....your drink wasn't tampered with....you're not playing a prank on me, are you?
Dante: No!
Nora: Maybe, you just can't hold your liquor.....
Nathan walks in.
Nora: Hey, babe.
Nathan: Hey, honey.
Nathan and Nora share a kiss.
Nathan: I see you've met our new guy.
Dante: Uh....
Nathan: Oh, yeah, forgot to mention; I'm in a relationship. Dante, this is Nora. She's our nurse and my girlfriend.
Dante: Hi. Pleased to meet you, ma'am.
Nora: "pleased to meet you, ma'am". I like this guy. If only I knew someone with that type of manners.
Nathan: I have manners....in some way.
Dante walks out of the nurse with Killen waiting for him.
Killen: Dante....
Dante: Killen, hey....
Killen: You alright?
Dante: Yeah....I'm okay...just thought I was going to be examined....
Killen: You didn't tell anyone here about-your
Killen gestures to Dante's claw mark on his arm.
Dante: No. No. I haven't.....
Killen: Good....look, I know you're trying to look for answers, but for right now, just keep your head down and try blending in....
Dante: Blending in...so start some more bar fights.
Killen: (scoffs) Not that much at blending in....
In Cratersville, Nathan and Luke are seen looking over a map.
Nathan: What's this about, Dad?
Luke: Winter's among us and we're almost out of rations. We're going to have to do a lot of runs soon and before the blizzards get in. So the markets in the south settlement's may be willing to do a trade network if we give them 20% of our caps. Also, we're going to have to add 40 % of caps for our meds and ammo.
Nathan: Dad, we're in the middle of California. I don't think it's going to snow anytime soon like it does in the North. Something tells me this isn't the only reason you wanted to see me.
Luke: You're just like your mom. You catch on quick. (looks at Nathan) What do you think of that new guy?
Nathan: The one who fucked up Thomas.
Luke: Language.
Nathan: Sorry.
Luke: and yes, that man. He sure can handle himself.
Nathan: Well, yeah...why? What are you thinking?
Luke: The guy with a mean swing like that could be useful as a runner....be on the crew with Colin, Walter....could be useful, especially with the loss of Bo.
Nathan: I don't know, Dad. That guy's new...and you know how I am with new folk in town...and with Zeus Corps Soldiers....he could be an ex-Raider or an ex Blood Hog.
Luke: Son, the winter season's coming....and we need to gear up for the winter...which means we're gonna need some more hands on deck.
Dante goes into the store labeled the shell shocker as walks inside and sees a Caucasian man, yelling at the owner, a African American male, with a younger African American male sweeping the floors with a broom.
Bart: Dammit, Justin, you said this gun could shoot fuckin ten times farther!
Bart angrily slams the rifle on the table.
Justin: Hey, I sold you a good rifle there, and it's got a good scope. I don't know how it broke. You must not have put the safety on or the clips not slipped right.
Bart: Man, your kind always has been selling us hard working fellas bullshit items ever since the bombs fell and even before that.
Justin: My kind?
Bart: Yeah, I mean niggers are always judgmental seeing as how whites are able to keep a job for over a couple years without welfare.
Blaine puts his broom into a batting mode.
Blaine: Hey, we don't use that type of language in our store, Bart.
Bart: I'm not talkin to you, boy. I'm talkin to this spear chucker here.
Justin: you're gonna be talking to my gun in a couple minutes, you redneck prick. Get the hell out of here, Bart.
Bart: You don't you make me, boy?
Dante: Hey! Why don't you stop talking to him like that and fucking buy something?
Bart: Who the fuck are you? Obviously, you're a race traitor piece of shit.
Dante: Does it matter? Now, just buy something or leave, man.
Bart: (scoffs) Figure's you get a white man do defend you....
Justin: Hey, Bart....on the bright side, my bruises make me look tough...you still look like a feminine bitch. You still look like a faggot.
Bart: Fuck you, nigger.
Blaine and Dante laugh as Bart angrily walks out of the store and brushes past Dante.
Dante: What a dickhead.
Justin: Thanks, buddy....I didn't get your name....
Dante: Dante....Justin, is it?
Justin: Yeah....new guy, right? I want to give you a discount on everything in here....
Blaine: You won't get paid that you're already given either way, Justin.
Justin: Hop off, dog....that prick is Blaine. Pardon my French, the cracker you just saw giving me shit is Bart....I'm going give you a discount.
Dante: For what?
Justin: For getting Bart out of here.....he's been harassing my store for weeks.
Dante: Thanks....Can't stand pieces of shit like that.....so what do you have around the store?
Justin: Well, we have a Harpoon gun, a boom-gun, breaker bullets...those bullets kick ass.
Dante: Hmm.....what about this compass?
Dante picks up a compass and walks over to the cash register. Justin checks the expiration date on the compass. He nervously laughs.
Justin: The Compass is expired.
Dante: Oh, well, I think I should buy something from the old days.....
Justin: I can give you that compass for free....time may have stopped, but we keep reminding ourselves of the old times....Uh, well, I've got fresh mags though for 50 caps. I'll give you two for 20 caps for getting Bart out of here.
Blaine: Oh, man, I told James that compass was a day off.