Part 23: Ka-ching

The Promised Land: 

(Part 23) Ka-ching

The owner of Sparrow’s rested his arms on the counter and leaned on them. His moustache twitched as a corner of his mouth turned into a smirk. He tapped the clips and said, “This ain’t gonna get you very far.”

“What’ll it get me?” Caden obviously wasn’t pleased, but his tone was almost mocking.

Holding up both index fingers as a sign to wait, Linus went to the back and rummaged around. Eden could see boxes getting thrown around and heard what sounded like marbles spilling out on tile flooring.

“Ouch!” Linus returned rubbing a spot on his head hidden by a navy blue baseball cap. Reaching under the counter, he pulled out a red pouch with a white cross on the front and three suckers.

Now it was Caden’s turn to fold his arms. “That’s ridiculous. I traded in Forte last month for fives times the amount of supplies!”

“Inflation rates, Fireball.” Linus shrugged as he unwrapped one of the suckers and stuck it in his mouth.

Caden ran a hand through his hair. “What’s it going to take to get everything on that list?”

Linus took out the red lollipop and pointed it at the clips with a smirk. “A lot more than that.”

With his own smirk, Caden turned his bag over above the counter. Bullets, magazines, and ammunition belts in all sizes and for all kinds of firearms spilled out on the wood with dulled tinks and clanks. It was a good thing the sucker was in his hand because Linus’s mouth dropped open.

“Sweet sugar rush,” he muttered in amazement. Letting out a low whistle, he pushed back the cap on his head and stuck the candy in his mouth. Glancing from the clips, to Eden, Shiloh, then Caden, the shopkeeper began stroking the patch of beard on his chin.

After a long minute or two of thought, he took the lollipop out and asked, “You got any Bitcoin?”

“That’s all we have,” Caden replied, motioning to the pile on the counter.

“What we got here,” Linus said with a grin, “is an invaluably opportune moment. Not two days ago, Atari came through here and wiped out my supply o’ ammo. Nearly robbed me blind. Normally I’m not the type to trade without Bitcoin credit, but I think I can make an exception.”

“Did you supply the bullets before or after they were sent through the Infected?” Eden asked in a voice unintentionally laced with disapproval.

“Both, Sweetheart,” Linus answered. “Hence my swift departure.” Noting the sour look on her face, he added, “No regrets.” Taking the list, he retreated to the racks behind the counter and started sorting through them.

Eden came up to the counter and started organizing the ammo by size. “So bullets are used as currency in the future?”

“Something like that,” Caden muttered while keeping a suspicious eye on the shopkeeper.

“It’s a barter system, Honey!” exclaimed Linus from behind a shelf. “We trade for pretty much anything, but everything has a different value. All depends on stock and demand.”

Eden held up a clip. “I take it ammunition is in demand?” Caden gave a single nod.

“To Atari lemonheads, at least,” Linus sauntered to the front carrying three large backpacks. They were similar to the one Caden and Shiloh had before, only perhaps a little smaller. When he placed them on the counter, he licked his lips, stretched his arms out, and started hauling the ammo together. Caden grabbed Linus’ sleeve to stop him. “Hold it.”

Without looking away from the man with the mustache, Cay grabbed one of the bags and handed it to Shiloh. “Check them.”

Taking the other two bags, Shiloh plopped on the ground and started sifting through the contents.

“I assure you, everything is as it should be,” Linus stated, “…for the most part.”

Shiloh pulled out a banana, 3D glasses, and a bowtie with a very confused look.

 “I KNOW THAT ONE!” Eden exclaimed when she saw the articles. Cay, Shy, and even Linus stared at her like she had just lost her mind.
“S-sorry,” she muttered as a self-conscious flush enveloped her cheeks. “I just… I know what that’s… Never mind.”

Looking at his twin, Caden asked, “What’s missing?”

Shiloh proceeded to fingerspell, but he was going too fast for Eden to keep up. Apparently, a lot was missing.

“I’ll just be going now,” Linus grabbed an armful of magazines and made a quick getaway.

“Get back here!” Caden hopped over the counter in pursuit. The shopkeeper made it about five feet before getting tackled.

“ACK! Get off, you little sugar monkey!”

Eden and Shiloh both saw the clips go flying as they peered over the counter.

“CADEN!” Eden dare not attempt to actually stop the lad, but she hoped he would at least pay some attention. He didn’t. He was working too hard to get Linus in a chokehold. Significantly taller, Linus fought jabbed Cay in the ribs with his elbow. The recipient quickly let go with a grunt and hugged his side. As soon as Linus stood up, Cay grabbed his legs and brought the man down. Eden was about to shout again when she felt something tap her shoulder. Shiloh handed her a pair of what appeared to be cordless headphones and waited until she put them on.

“Stop.”

He only uttered one word, but it was loud enough to sound like an explosion in Eden’s ears even with the ear protection on. The struggle ceased with both opponents covering their ears in pain. Caden looked particularly irate as he stood up. Instead of yelling at his brother, as Eden expected, he turned and yelled at Linus. “Quit trying to rip us off!”

“Who’s getting ripped off? Don’t you want a good source of potassium?” the shop owner questioned as he sat up and rested an arm on his knee. Looking at Shiloh, Linus smirked, “The way I see it, you can do one of two things. You can take my offer. Or you can stay here until the Atari come back.”