by Michael Todd
JB laughed and grabbed an empty rocks glass, holding it up to her. “You up for another date?”
Holly’s face went straight. “Date?”
Paula walked behind the bar and popped JB on the ass. “Don’t toy with the girl.”
JB nodded at the seat. “Date for the chair. Don’t go breaking the rules already. I know I am one hunk of burning love over here, but you got to restrain yourself.”
Holly rolled her eyes. “Ha-ha. Actually, I think I’m done for the day. I really need to think about some stuff. Also, I want to get these stories down on paper, if that’s okay. I haven’t been able to sleep, with them swimming around up there. I end up wide awake in the middle of the night. I start writing because if I don’t, I’ll just keep replaying them in my head.”
JB sighed. “I know what that’s like, for sure. I think that’s why telling the stories is good for me. I’ve had two really good nights’ sleep lately. It’s like they build up in my head and are scratching to get out every once in a while. After I tell them, I always feel better. Of course, I have so many it would take a lifetime to get through all of them. I just came to an understanding with my brain that I would never have another full night’s sleep. It wasn’t in the cards—a nice parting gift from the Zoo after so many years of loyal service.”
Holly wrinkled her nose. “Sounds like the worst retirement plan ever.”
Toothless laughed. “Amen to that.”
JB smiled. “But as far as the stories, yes, go right ahead. As long as I can vet them for accuracy afterward, of course.”
Holly put up her hand. “I promise I will print out every illicit page of drunken debauchery.”
Paula walked onto the floor with a tray full of drinks. She yelled, “I better figure prominently!”
Holly and JB smiled at her. Paula paused and pushed her chest forward, shook out her blonde hair, and stomped into the bar. Holly turned to JB with raised eyebrows.
JB shrugged. “Paula is…Paula. I keep it safe for her, and she is able to act however she wants in here. Outside, you wouldn’t know she’s the same woman. Sometimes it helps to be a little crazy here. That way you might be able to forget that on the other side of this Wall death is walking, stalking, and trying like hell to eat you.”
Holly kept her eyes on Paula. “I guess I get it. You do what you can to block out the bad, so you can focus on what you do have. I know when I was a bartender I used to flirt for tips. I suppose if Death had been waiting for me, a few guys getting my mind off it for a few hours would be a pretty good tip. I kind of wish I could see her outside of work.”
JB picked up the glasses on the bar and began to wash them. “Oh, I think if you stick around long enough, you’ll get that chance. She may act and dress differently, but she is still the same old gal. She cares about people a lot. She cares about these guys in particular. Sometimes I think that the deaths here hit her worse than others. Sometimes she is the only one who sees the fun and relaxed side of these guys. She gets to peek under the dirt and sand and see who they really are. That makes it personal to her. But she never cries, or not yet, anyway. She’s tough, at least in public.”
Holly understood. “I don’t blame her. I have always been that way. I was in a village near New Guinea once and was caught in a guerilla raid. A lot of people died. I had worked beside many of those people for months, but I kept it together. Not just for them and their families, but for myself, too. Sometimes I would lay on my cot and stare through the thatch roof at the little twinkles of the sky and think that if I cried, if I let it out, I might never stop. So, I keep it all inside. Probably why I’m still single.”
JB stared at her, startled. Then he tilted his head back and laughed loudly. “That is quite a bit of baggage.”
Toothless motioned for another drink and looked at Holly. “Just drink it out. How much do you suppose Jens would drink when he was getting ready to take on the Zoo?”
A man scowled from the end of the bar. “I reckon at least a bottle.”
The guy next to him whistled. “Nah, he drank way more than that. You remember how many bottles were in that bag? He sat there wounded, drinking and fighting until he ran out. Then, when he sobered up, he died.”
Holly shivered. “That’s a terrible thought. That might have taken days.”
Toothless shook his head. “I’d say fifteen hours at most.”
The guy next to Toothless shook his head. “There is no way in hell someone could drink that much that fast. That’s a bottle an hour. His body would have given out. If you haven’t forgotten, he wasn’t actually a superhero. He just had a gift with alcohol. His heart would have exploded after that much liquor.”
JB smiled. “Hell, that would be nothing for him. He would be in here drinking for hours. When everyone else had passed out, he would still be standing right there, ready for more. But then he would have to take a piss. He would go to the john, and with his gun in his hand, he’d decide he was going to go on into the Zoo. Fucker would march right out, and we’d know exactly where he was going.”
Holly snickered. “That had to have been some conversation in his head.”
JB chuckled. “Yeah, but you know how it is. When you are drunk and you get an idea and it sounds good, you have to do it right then or it will never happen. I’m pretty sure that’s how he was. There was no one but me left to talk to; all the girls were either passed out or gone and he was ready for action, so instead of being bored and drinking more, he would buy a bottle of Stoli and go out to the Zoo.”
Holly put up her hand. “Wait. Are you saying between trips he would go out there by himself?”
“He would take an NLTV out and just meander through the jungle, drinking his liquor. He would come back the next day ready for drinks, covered in dirt and blood. He never told us what happened out there.”
Holly tapped the bar with her fist. “Dang. Those would have been some awesome stories.”
Toothless scoffed. “Or he went out to the Zoo to jack it and fell asleep in the NLTV.”
The guy at the other end of the bar pointed at him. “Not a chance in hell. Jens was not a coward. If he looked like that, he earned it in the thick.”
Before Toothless could respond, JB put his hands up to stop them. “All right, guys, enough. We don’t want to start another fight over this story, do we? You remember five years ago when the two of you went at it and I had to throw you out?”
JB looked at Holly. “They get a little emotional about that story, and then there’s an argument.”
Holly took a deep breath and stood up from her stool. “Well, I think that’s my cue to leave. Thank you for the story. Here’s another twenty to hold my seat for tomorrow. Hopefully, I will be here at a decent time.”
“Decent?”
“Not before eleven, but it all depends on whether I actually get some sleep tonight.”
JB took the twenty and put it in a box behind the bar. “Thanks for listening to the story. I’ll hold your seat tomorrow.”
Holly smiled and turned to Toothless. “It was a pleasure. Don’t get in any fights. You are better than that.”
Toothless snorted and glanced at JB. “She isn’t a very good judge of character, is she?”
JB snickered. “She’s hopeful.”
“That’s right. And I don’t want my stool messed up. I’m starting to break it in.”
JB smiled. “You know, normally people would say that was a bad thing, breaking in a stool at a bar.”
“Are any of those people here?”
JB scanned the room. “Fuck, no. No judgments here.”
Holly waved at Paula as she walked toward the door. When she reached it, she looked over her shoulder at the scene. Everyone had gone back to their normal behavior: drinking, joking, and relaxing. Taking a break from their trips into the Zoo. For the first time, even though she had never gone and wasn’t sure she would ever go, she felt like they were accepting her into the fold. She opened the door and stepped outside. It had go
tten dark out. Holly hadn’t realized she had been there that long. She stuck her hands in her pockets and shivered slightly in the cold desert night.
Walking down the street toward her hotel, she saw the French soldier she had met that morning. He was coming toward her with a group of friends. He stopped and smiled widely at her. “Did you hear more stories of the great warriors of the Zoo?”
Holly chuckled. “Man, did I! I think I heard the whole story of the guy you were talking about. His name was Jens Schulze, and he used alcohol like a superpower.”
The guy snapped his fingers. “Yes, Jens…that’s him. We were actually just talking about that. Four of us are coming up on reenlistment. We are thinking about turning it down and joining the mercs. I figured, why not give the whole drunk-soldier thing a try?”
Holly’s face went serious and she put her hand on his shoulder. “I would advise against that.”
He wrinkled his forehead. “Why?”
Holly turned him toward a hill in the distance. “In the morning, take a walk up there, and look for a fat glass Stoli bottle. You will find your answer there.”
Author Notes - Michael (Todd) Anderle
December 23, 2018
THANK YOU for not only reading this story but these Author Notes as well.
(I think I’ve been good with always opening with “thank you.” If not, I need to edit the other Author Notes!)
RANDOM (sometimes) THOUGHTS?
How are you enjoying the stories so far? This series (Soldiers of Fame and Fortune) is a test of how well we can sell in a wider market. For some of my fans, it sucks because they can’t get the books in another way they are familiar with.
For others, they are seeing a book by me for the first time.
The next set of four books (5 to 8) are half-finished (we are in editing on book 06 and book 07 is almost finished, words anyway, so we are close.)
I still need to write the beats for book 08.
Then I decide which direction to take Holly. I think I know, based on what happens in books five to eight, but I’m just…undecided…about how to push it forward at the moment. If I go where I think I want to (based on enjoying the character from book 04 so much) I’ll be veering off into a new direction.
I guess time will tell what I choose.
I write the beats and outlines for these books in sets of four (4). Eventually, we will box the sets of four and we’re currently producing audio for the series.
I’m even thinking of how to produce a ZOO YouTube channel with the audio, kinda making them free (except for the advertising—have to pay for the $8,000 doing the audio will cost somehow.)
HOW TO MARKET FOR BOOKS YOU LOVE
We are able to support our efforts with you reading our books, and we appreciate you doing this!
If you enjoyed this or ANY book by any author, especially Indie-published, we always appreciate if you make the time to review a book, since it lets other readers who might be on the fence to take a chance on it as well.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
One of the interesting (at least to me) aspects of my life is the ability to work from anywhere and at any time. In the future, I hope to re-read my own Author Notes and remember my life as a diary entry.
Christmas Eve 2018,
I’m sitting at the table in the La Puente, California location enjoying a semi-green backyard. It’s semi-green because the ryegrass (winter grass) has grown, but only in splotches.
It was nothing but hard black ground just two (2) months ago.
In fact, I would say the backyard looks like my face when I let my whiskers grow. Which is to say, I shouldn’t.
I can grow a mustache and a small beard… But that full face thing is nothing but hair with splotches of non-growth (like I put down weed killer on areas of my face.)
One of these days, I’ll grow a big-man’s beard (I’m 51, so I doubt it, but I can hope.)
FAN PRICING
If you would like to find out what LMBPN is doing and the books we will be publishing, just sign up at http://lmbpn.com/email/. When you sign up, we notify you of books coming out for the week, any new posts of interest in the books and pop culture arena, and the fan pricing on Saturday.
Ad Aeternitatem,
Michael Anderle
Nobody Remembers But Us
Soldiers of Fame and Fortune Book Four
Chapter One
Holly leaned over her hotel balcony rail a little, holding her coffee cup in one hand. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Another day near the Zoo, and another chance to figure out why her company wanted to send her in. The sky was clear, and warmth was replacing the cold desert night air. She could tell it was going to be another scorcher out there, but she enjoyed warm weather. The cold had never really suited her, which was why every winter she made sure to take a contract somewhere other than New York. Home was pretty, but freezing.
Down below, the JLTVs and foot traffic had started for the day, military and mercs walking and driving up and down the streets. Some were in teams, gearing up to head into the Zoo, while others were just starting their off days, inevitably headed for FUBAR. Holly looked into the distance, where she could see a huge bright green patch like a mirage in the desert. Along the edges the men were busy as usual, spraying it with flames as if that would help in the slightest. Plumes of dust and sand rose from the road, kicked up by the vehicles heading toward the staging areas.
Holly shook her head, imagining what it would be like if she took the contract. She would be suiting up and heading into the very place she had already heard so many terrifying stories about. She knew there had to be more to the company’s desires than possible ingredients for drinks. She knew the company had interests beyond that, and she had a feeling it was all just a front. But for what? Nothing was clear anymore, and it pissed her off.
“Don’t jump!” a voice shouted from below, taking Holly out of her thoughts.
She looked down and smiled, seeing Ames on the street, wearing his uniform. “Good morning, soldier. Working?”
He glanced at his jacket and nodded. “As usual. Did you sleep well?”
Holly shrugged. “I think so. I finished up some work and then passed out. Woke up still wearing my clothes.”
Ames chuckled. “Sounds like you’ve listened to one too many stories at the bar.”
Holly chuckled. “The stories weren’t the part that did it. Unless you consider drink-tasting a story.”
Ames smirked. “It totally could be, depending on what happened after. But I gotta get to my watch post. Just saw you standing up there and thought I would say hi.”
Holly waved. “Hi! Have a good day. And be safe out there!”
Ames flipped two fingers off his forehead in a salute. “Always.”
Holly straightened up with a smile on her face, watching Ames walk down the street. She was still surprised by how many people in the town were friendly. When she’d first arrived, she had been worried that no one would talk to her. She knew it had something to do with her being female and an outsider. In any case, she would take it. People in New York were closed in and usually grumpy as hell.
Her phone started to ring in the room behind her and she groaned, looking over her shoulder. Turning, she took a sip of her coffee and closed the sliding door. Rod’s face was on the screen, and she took a seat on her bed and put the ear to her phone. “Do you ever sleep? I mean, seriously?”
Rod chuckled. “I have to be able to talk to you, so I wait until morning and guess how long it takes to get the coffee in your system. How are things?”
Holly glanced at her laptop. “I’m going to go into official mode for a moment, so switch from friend mode to contact-at-the-company mode.”
Rod cleared his throat. “Right, give me just a second...okay. Yes, Miss Smith. How can I help you today?”
Holly drew a loud breath in and released. “How the hell did you think it was professional to offer me a contract to work somewhere that could very
well be considered the mouth of hell? It’s not the sand; I love sand. In fact, I’m going to go build a sand castle shaped like a middle finger in your honor. The heat isn’t that bad either, I’m a brown-skinned Indian girl, so I can take the heat.”
Rod was almost afraid to talk, so he trod lightly. “Okay, then what is it?”
Holly gritted her teeth. “It’s the danger this place represents. This isn’t some guided trek through the rainforest. This is not human, or Earthly. It’s like sending me to a new planet, only I can take a fucking plane and a scary-ass windowless white van to get here. There are creatures out there that want to eat you. There are people who are losing their minds, although they are pretty cool to hang out with.”
Rod piped up, “See, there is an upside!”
Holly snapped, “Shut it, Rod. Making friends is the least of my worries, with man-eating locusts on the prowl.”
Rod cleared his throat uncomfortably. “No one is forcing you to do it.”
Holly sighed. “I just don’t think this contract is straightforward, and I thought we were friends. Why would you offer me a contract to do something that could kill me?”
Rod put a serious tone in his voice. “You have to remember, Holly, that I am your friend, but I am also doing my job. I have put you up for tons of contracts that had some danger to them. My job is to offer the contract, do what I can to negotiate any change of terms, and get the job done.”
Holly rolled her eyes and groaned. “I know. I know.”
She looked at her laptop and jumped up, taking a seat and pulling up her email. “Here I am going to send you a few stories I wrote down about real things that happened in the Zoo. I want you to read the information between the lines on these, and you may start to understand my hesitation.”
“Okay, go ahead and send them over. It’ll give me a little nighttime reading before bed,” he replied.