novelxo Chapter 19: Compromise
Chapter 19: Compromise
It will work. I am a marketing genius.
- Paris Hilton
Erasmus and their attorney, Frank, had brokered a meeting with the regional council, including Tom Carluccio, to inspect the soup (Chemical Computation Centre).
“…You see, Santa Cruz County can become the ‘Silicon Valley of Chemical Communication.’ We can attract new businesses into the area. If we are successful, we could be in the forefront of recycling landfills.”
One of the councilmen muttered, “So we can be the worst smelling county in the country and have machine to tell us so?”
“This could be our future! Our Renaissance!”
You know what I think?” Carluccio ventured, “I think you are a bunch of con men, who do not give a crap about the future, society, or anything else. You are just a bunch of Shysters, trying to work the system.”
Mel paused, and then offered, “That might well be true, but why should that matter?”
“You think this is all fun and games!’ Looking directly at Buck, like an errant child, “You two have hooked yourselves up with a bunch of pimps and drug dealers, and you want our consent? I have been hired to protect the people and the taxpayers. You are educated men! How did you get mixed up with these low lives?”
This hit Alberto hardest of all, “It’s none of your fucking business.”
They had seriously misjudged Carluccio. Mel was right the first time: the guy could not be bought in any currency: ideologically pure, for those on his side, or a pure Zombie from their side.
Sam was spitting mad, throwing things, screaming, “What the fuck is wrong with you? I pay your salary, maggot!” This, of course, is about the worst thing to say to a civil servant. Sam had turned raving mad.
Sensing doom, Erasmus leapt behind Sam, pulling him back by the shoulders. “Boss, calm down. Ignore this fuck.” Looking directly at Carluccio, he warned, “You have fucked with us too many times, we are a family here. We know how to hire lawyers. And we will never run out of money.”
Zeke looked down from the rafters, baring his teeth.
“You gangsters don’t scare me. I will have you examined and investigated until you can’t pee straight.”
Something about that turn of phrase set Zeke off. Maybe it was from the War, shrieking, Zeke swung off a support beam, landing with all four claws into Carluccio’s face. The group was helpless. Zeke was stronger and faster than any mere human.
Carluccio was blinded and bleeding profusely, stumbling back, he tripped and fell into the soup.
[Protein- General]
[Fat – General] …