Chapter 11

           Whenyouhavenofriends,andthewomanyousleptwithlastnighthasleftyouwithascreamingheadandwithoutaword,youhavealimitednumberofoptions.WhenIwasyoungerIusedtogooutlookingforsqualidbrawlsinthestreetsofNewpest.Thisgotacoupleofpeoplestabbed,neitherofthemme,andledinturntomyapprenticeshipinoneoftheHarlan’sWorldgangs(Newpestchapter).Lateron,Iupgradedthiskindofretreatbyjoiningthemilitary;brawlingwithapurpose,andwithmoreextensiveweaponry,butasitturnedout,justassqualid.Idon’tsupposeIshouldhavebeenassurprisedasIwas—theonlythingthemarinecorpsrecruitershadreallywantedtoknowwashowmanyfightsIhadwon.

           ThesedaysI’veevolvedaslightlylessdestructiveresponsetogeneralchemicalmalaise.Whenaforty-minuteswimintheHendrix’sundergroundpoolfailedtodispeleitherthelongingforMiriamBancroft’storridcompanyortheMergeNinehangover,IdidtheonlythingIfeltequippedfor.Iorderedpainkillersfromroomservice,andwentshopping.

           BayCityhadalreadysettledintotheswingofthedaybythetimeIfinallyhitthestreets,andthecommercialcentrewaschokedwithpedestrians.Istoodontheedgesforacoupleofminutes,thendivedinandbegantolookinwindows.

           AblondemarinesergeantwiththeunlikelynameofSerenityCarlyletaughtmetoshop,backontheWorld.PriortothatIhadalwaysemployedatechniquebestdescribedasprecisionpurchase.