Descending Road - READING POINT by Dana W. Paxson

READING POINT

1560 4D

Now I can sit here and look pissed off, and mean it. I took another pull on my brew; it seemed better-tasting. At least I had the arma virida, but no, it was back in the dressing room with my clothes.

I’d have to go all the way back to get it, and then trudge the stairs, make Teshill Slope again, get to Brownhollow Score, and then make peace with my father. And this at midnight, and in the Fest, when even the main streets weren’t safe.

“Thringe.” It was the same male voice and accent; the man was standing by my table again.

I pretended to ignore him.

“Listen, the connection didn’t work. The shipment was traced, and the coll had to drop it off downcity, in Rumchi Zone, Fourth Ring. The location is in the usual reading point.”

I looked up at him very slowly. He was tall and muscular, but not broad like Drasstar. His skin very dark, his head was smooth to the scalp, and he wore a tight zigzag-stripe skinsuit. He glanced around and then out to the crossing. Watching for enemies. And he thought I was Thringe.

I nodded, my mind racing. Nobody had told me what to do in this situation, so I decided to play it. The police block I’d hit earlier dropped into place. I tried to lower my voice to match Thringe‘s. “The blues in Barrow Arc?”

“Yes. They screwed the drop. If we’re going to make the pickup, you’ve got to get over there. I can’t go –– they’ll make me in a second. It’s only a few shops off Tyrae, just down that street.”

I wanted to tell him I wasn’t Thringe, but now I knew something I shouldn’t know. Reading point? “Which reading point?” I hoped I could carry this off. If the drop location was in code, I’d be dead.

“They change them every day, didn’t you suss? It’s the last left-side pillar in the back of Nexi Harren‘s shop. Just look at the violet Third-Dynasty Kai Ren armor set, then reach around the pillar with your right hand. The reader is there.”

“What do I do with it now, once I get it?”

“Get back with your band, at Joovlies. You’ll get a call, maybe a chatbird.” He turned and left.

My head spun. I’d just started a twisty masquerade, in total ignorance. Illegal, I knew. It had to be. I raised the brewtank to my lips again, then set it down.

No going back. I wanted my money, and Thringe was in trouble. I didn’t have much choice. And Thringe liked me, and in spite of myself, I liked Thringe.

Story List	SURPRISE ME	Author Page
USER SURVEY	PUZZLE ME	MAKE ELM MARK

HOVER Lucida Bright BARE	HOVER Lucida Bright FULL	HOVER Palatino Linotype BARE
HOVER Palatino Linotype FULL	HOVER Times New Roman BARE	HOVER Times New Roman FULL
PAD Arial BARE	PAD Arial FULL	PAD Lucida Bright BARE
PAD Lucida Bright FULL	PAD Times New Roman BARE	PAD Times New Roman FULL


	READING POINT 1560 4D Now I can sit here and look pissed off, and mean it. I took another pull on my brew; it seemed better-tasting. At least I had the arma virida, but no, it was back in the dressing room with my clothes. I’d have to go all the way back to get it, and then trudge the stairs, make Teshill Slope again, get to Brownhollow Score, and then make peace with my father. And this at midnight, and in the Fest, when even the main streets weren’t safe. “Thringe.” It was the same male voice and accent; the man was standing by my table again. I pretended to ignore him. “Listen, the connection didn’t work. The shipment was traced, and the coll had to drop it off downcity, in Rumchi Zone, Fourth Ring. The location is in the usual reading point.” I looked up at him very slowly. He was tall and muscular, but not broad like Drasstar. His skin very dark, his head was smooth to the scalp, and he wore a tight zigzag-stripe skinsuit. He glanced around and then out to the crossing. Watching for enemies. And he thought I was Thringe. I nodded, my mind racing. Nobody had told me what to do in this situation, so I decided to play it. The police block I’d hit earlier dropped into place. I tried to lower my voice to match Thringe‘s. “The blues in Barrow Arc?” “Yes. They screwed the drop. If we’re going to make the pickup, you’ve got to get over there. I can’t go –– they’ll make me in a second. It’s only a few shops off Tyrae, just down that street.” I wanted to tell him I wasn’t Thringe, but now I knew something I shouldn’t know. Reading point? “Which reading point?” I hoped I could carry this off. If the drop location was in code, I’d be dead. “They change them every day, didn’t you suss? It’s the last left-side pillar in the back of Nexi Harren‘s shop. Just look at the violet Third-Dynasty Kai Ren armor set, then reach around the pillar with your right hand. The reader is there.” “What do I do with it now, once I get it?” “Get back with your band, at Joovlies. You’ll get a call, maybe a chatbird.” He turned and left. My head spun. I’d just started a twisty masquerade, in total ignorance. Illegal, I knew. It had to be. I raised the brewtank to my lips again, then set it down. No going back. I wanted my money, and Thringe was in trouble. I didn’t have much choice. And Thringe liked me, and in spite of myself, I liked Thringe.