Chapter V: Friendly Tips

Tom makes a new friend.

I woke up slowly the next morning, stretching. Alex was already up, making eggs. I threw on my shirt, pants, and mask and went into the tiny kitchen. I’d developed the habit of always having my mask on, except when eating or showering or stuff like that. I don’t really know why… I just feel weird without it on.

“Welcome back to the world of the living, sleeping beauty.” Alex teased me.

“Why thank you, Prince Annoying.” I teased back. She flung hot bacon grease at me playfully. I laughed. It was good to see her in good spirits, after the talk we had the previous night. I wouldn’t have blamed her if she was suspicious or cautious, or just generally acted differently around me, but she wasn’t, and I was grateful for that. So much s**t had been going on lately, I didn’t want anything to change between Alex and me; I couldn’t handle any more stress.

I got some plates out of the cabinet and set them with some silverware on the table. I poured a glass of orange juice for each of us and sat down at the side of the table that was against the wall. Alex finished making the eggs and set them on the table. I slowly started to eat them.

“So,” Alex began between bites of food. “What we doin’ today?”

I took a big gulp of orange juice before answering. “Today we’ll be gathering a little bit more intel before we move on. I know a source who lives around here that will be… willing to telling me what I want.” I smiled. Alex smiled too.

“Oh, what fun!” She said sarcastically. “Where do I come into this?” She asked, a little bit more seriously.

“I need you to cause a minor distraction and then stand as lookout while I do my interrogation.” I explained, finishing my breakfast.

Alex shrugged. “Easy enough.” She finished eating as well, and went into the bathroom to get changed. I stayed in the front room and got into a disguise. I kept my mask on. This informant worked at a ski resort, so I wouldn’t be out of place with it on. I put on a beanie with my glasses, and a long, thick coat. We both grabbed our ski bags, I wrapped my scarf around my neck, and we walked outside of our hotel to the bus stop.

We didn’t have to wait very long. The bus was right on time. Alex and I moved all the way to the back of the bus. I sat in the middle of the long seat, with my arms spread out on top of it. I crossed my left leg over my right and sighed deeply. I rested my head back against the seat. Alex sat with her back against the window and her legs spread out in front of her on the seat. She looked around at the people on the bus with an odd expression. I looked over at her. “Spill it.” I said to her.

“Hm?” She replied with a small start.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked again.

Alex sighed. “All these people here… They go about their lives so normally. They believe whatever lies are told to them blindly. They struggle to fit in and to comprehend things in a simple way… They don’t look under the surface…”

I nodded my head slightly. “I know what you mean, but… sometimes it’s better that way.” I began to explain. “If I were to reveal everything about the Ahran, and about the origins of the Multiverse, it would break their minds. It would call into question everything they know; everything they’ve been taught. It would likely cause an existential crisis that would cause many of them to go insane.” I said grimly. “Yes, they are ignorant, and follow false beliefs that are corrupt and unfaithful, but it is better than the alternative…”

Alex nodded and looked around again. We spent the rest of the 15-minute bus ride in relative silence. I could tell Alex was still uncomfortable with the situation, but I could understand. Here was a man, who had essentially gained the powers of a god, walking amongst mere mortals. And no one had any idea. It was hard to digest, even for me. 

 

Finally the bus pulled to a stop at the gates of an old ski resort. It was still so fancy, so ‘elegant’. It made me want to puke. Just the fact that such a presumptuous, superfluously expensive place could thrive in the world that we lived in made me sick. People were disgusting sometimes. I was almost glad to be a fugitive; so I didn’t have to identify with anyone here.

Alex and I made our way to the concierge; the information desk. I found it ironic that our target would be working as someone who provides friendly tips. Alex and I stepped into space between the pillars so that we could check our gear. In my bag were some ‘medical’ supplies- bandages, alcohol, tweezers, a stitching kit, and scalpels. Added into this mix were some… different materials, such as lemon juice, zip ties, matches, and materials of that sort. Inside of Alex’s bag was all the fun stuff; extra magazines, a small gasoline can, a full extra quiver of arrows, a few extra pistols… We had everything we would need in case this job went south.

I pulled out my cell phone. It hadn’t been turned on in years. I never used it anymore; too many risks. I pulled out a single match from my pack, and zipped it up. I struck up a conversation with the informant. “Hello there, Mister…” I pretended like I needed to check his name tag. “Paul, is it?” I managed to force a friendly tone, which was the only emotion to be shown through my ski mask. As I distracted Paul, Alex poured the rest of the gasoline can discretely around the desk. Paul managed a smile at me.

“Good afternoon, Sir. What can I help you with?” He folded his hands on the desk professionally.

“Thank you, I was wondering if you had any cigars or cigarettes. I’m dying for a smoke.” I said convincingly. Paul nodded, handing me a signature sheet so he could put it on my tab. I signed it with my real name, as he came back to the desk with a box of cigarettes. I pulled out one of them, striking the match on the table. Paul took the sheet back.

“Now, is there anything else I can do for you, Mister-“ He paused, his face turning white as he read the name the name on the paper. “S**t…” he cursed to himself. I dropped the match.