Chapter 10

The colony had secrets and it was not going to give them up willingly. If I wanted to learn what the cult was hiding I was going to have to work for it, dig deeper.

I wore my coat everywhere I went with my contraband firearm nestled securely in an inner pocket. The strange neon strips sewn into it cast an odd illumination wherever I went. On this particular night late April after a full two weeks of dead-end investigation,that somewhere was Nellie's restaurant.

A sign on the door announced a special dinner theatre. It turns out this particular day was the day the farmers drove their skiffs into the neon jungle to sell their produce(I know because I'd been reassigned to inspect the quality of the surplus going to Earth).

Therefore the entertainment was for the benefit of the farmers. I entered Nellie's and was accosted by the sounds of hooping and hollering and the occasional vulgar remark following in the wake of a cat call. One of the waiters showed me to the private table, explaining that the staff had been ordered to hold this one for me anytime I came here, a fact which shocked me considering the terms the lady and I had left off on.

I took my seat and put in an order for something on the lighter side. Then I discovered the sources of the whistles and vulgarity. Nellie–or maybe one of her A.I. robots– was giving the clientele a glimpse of her other business. To the rhythms of cosmo-jazz she was dancing and wearing a barely legal, navy blue outfit that sent hormonal thrills surging through the farmers like tidal waves.

I wondered how many of these men had families, wives but it wasn't my business. She caught a glimpse of me and halted her voluptuous gyrations. “Well boys,” she began in a honey voice, “We've got a newcomer among us tonight who doesn't care much for this cosmo-jazz. Darnell, play something he might like more!”

Darnell who I guess was in charge of the musical accompaniment bathed that restaurant in up beat jazz music. It wasn't quite big band but it was dang near close and Nellie resumed her one woman cabaret. Her skimpy evening gown offered tantalizing views of her features and I began to sweat especially when her routine brought her over to my table and she stopped just shy of giving me a lap dance.

An eternity later she ended her routine and kicked off a lusty firestorm by making an announcement, “Now fellas, whoever puts up the highest amount of money tonight gets me all to themselves for the rest of the evening in my private chambers.”

All the farmers and even a few non farmers yelled out extravagant amounts until one man in plaid and overalls yelled “$670!”

The blonde bombshell settled on him. I knew he'd be knocking up a robot tonight. “See you later tonight, handsome.” she purred while caressing the man’s face with a velvet finger.

I thought the poor lug would melt into a gooey puddle. Then with feline grace she approached me.

She leaned over the regal table and I noticed a trickle of sweat snaking down my back as I tried to keep my eyes fixed on hers. She noticed my efforts and remarked “Hey, pal my cleavage is down there.”

I gave in briefly. Wow. Her chest was ample and finely shaped. I let out a sigh and returned my gaze to the upper portion of her body. She spoke again. “There, isn't that better? Nice to see you again, Tom.”

“It has been a while hasn't it?” I replied. I polished off a final bite of my meal and then added, “I can't figure out if you like me or not given how our last encounter concluded?”

That mountainous chest of hers heaved with a heavy release of breath and she answered, “Can you blame me after you traipsed through my business without invitation?”

“No I can't.”

“Good then that's settled! You just use that side entrance,don't be such a gloomy gus, and we'll get along swimmingly.”

She signaled the waiter and ordered for herself a choice beverage.

Then she asked me what brought me to her establishment.

“Same thing as last time.”

“Of course why, Tom, why would you make a social call?”

Bernie brought Nellie her liquor and she downed a sip as I replied, “I thought you said I couldn't afford you.”

“You can't,” she said sitting down her glass, ”but swing by here more often and we'll see how things progress. Anyhow, what sort of information can I cough up for you tonight?

“I attended that wacky service the Abe worshippers held the other day. It's all rubbish but I'm curious about the founder of their faith, some dude by the name of Daniel Johnston.”

Her face wrinkled “I can't tell you anything about him . I came to Grifter's long before the cult was founded, I was one of those women who came to…. keep the men occupied.”

Another dead-end. I glanced at the farmer who'd won his prize, “You know Nellie you are slick. That poor guy thinks he's about to rearrange your guts and it's actually going to be a bunch of circuits.”

“I guess you'd admire that sort of thing in your line of ‘work’,” she replied.

We said our goodbyes and I departed her restaurant with my head spinning, my temples pounding like drums. Feelings that died with my girlfriend during the war had suddenly been resuscitated. That was not necessarily a positive outcome.