Rochester Inn

[Knuthetal]

Noam came back into the bar. Things were looking better already - after a few precise wreck runs he had a new ship with a better kick. For now, it would have to do. He bought himself a drink - he could afford it now.

Looking around, he saw the girl he met before - poor thing, being a slave is probably none too entertaining. Well, her mistress was here now, so steering clear was probably a good idea. He wouldn't want to get her into any bigger of a mess, now would he? She reminded him of himself a lot. "If I can make it, so can she.", he thought. "You're being irrational now.", his thoughts followed.

Slavery. Drugs. Like it or not, if he was going to be a Lane Hacker, he should get used to those. "Still, there's no reason to like them.", he thought, sipping his tea. Indeed, tea was the definition of a drink for him. He just wouldn't try to get addicted - it made sense in his mind. Some girl - quite the attractive girl, he noticed, was busy... ah, yes. Drinking herself silly. What is it with people these days?

He tried to force himself to look around for the cyborg, but decided not to. That deal he made with Boris should take quite some time, there's no reason to hurry. For now, he can rest. He grabbed around for a book in his backpack, and fished one out at random.

He read the cover - "House of Leaves". Now, just to find a place near a wall, with some light...

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