Chapter Fifty-Nine - Popularity


    Chapter Fifty-Nine - Popularity


    This cask behind me contains thirty-seven point four litres of fermented fruit wine. None of the fruits used in the fermenting process are available on Earth. The cask has been aged six thousand years in a sealed vacuum.


    This wine, which we are assured is appropriate for human consumption--though we hold no liabilities on such matters--has a providence which can be traced back to the samurai Blitzo, who purchased it directly from the Protectors. It is Lan Igiro wine, cultivated as an alcoholic beverage by an extra-terrestrial species.


    A treat for any amateur or professional sommelier, and a unique and daring addition to any collection. Please note that our next item is a remarkable cheese, also of extraterrestrial origin.


    We will begin the bidding at 1,000,000,000 credits.


    --Excerpt from the 2050 Rarest Goods Auction


    ***


    Hey, I said as I approached the table. The main hall was, surprisingly, still full of people. Some waiters were going around and filling peoples cups with champagne. Some people had left, but theyd been replaced by an equal number of additional guards hanging out by the edges of the room.


    Lucy was sitting between Gomorrah and Frannie, looking rather relaxed with a long champagne flute pinched between her fingers. Hi Cat, she said.


    Hows Burringham? Gomorrah asked.


    Alive, I said. Whyre there still people here? They stopping folk from leaving?


    Oh no, Lucy said. She shook her head. This event went from a cool event to like, the most talked about one. Come on, the host almost got assassinated, the assassin was shot by a samurai, another samurais sitting here, as if she doesnt care about it all. Not that Gomorrah doesnt care, Im just saying.


    So... what? Its become a sort of bigger event because Burringham almost died?


    Lucy nodded. You know how we used to run out to the nearest corner store? Which times do you remember best, when nothing went wrong, or when we had to run away from some angry muggers?


    Alright, fair, I said. Still fucky.


    Some people left, Lucy said with a shrug. I bet a few of the people here are spamming their media feeds with news about whats happening. Drama chasers. Others are just happy that theyre here. You know theyre showing up in a lot of camera shots, thats food for any celeb.


    And I bet the media are swarming this place, I said.Fo?llo?w new stories at novelhall.com


    Lucy nodded. Oh yeah. I bet this will have more airtime than the next ten school shootings combined.


    I dont much care for the media stuff, Gomorrah said. But having a small amount of renown can help with some things, or so Ive been told. So, did the gunman survive?


    I never interacted with him. But the way you spoke of him made him sound mostly reasonable. If in a less than civil way.


    Yeah, that sounds about right. Fine, Ill find out if he really did call out the hit on Burringham, then if its Dupont, maybe Ill pay him another visit. I shifted so that I was sitting straighter. That all?


    I think so, Gomorrah said. She ended the call before speaking to the others. Sorry about that.


    Lucy grinned. You know, if you insist on having alone-time with Cat so much, I might insist on the same with Frannie here.


    Down girl, I said.


    I was about to comment a little more when I heard a shuffling across the room. People were still whispering and talking to each other, but the pitch and tone changed, like a wave across the entire hall.


    Glancing around, I saw a lot of heads turning towards the stage, so I followed the collective gaze and found a familiar face walking up onto the stage. Burringham, looking a pinch pale, and in an entirely new suit, hair obviously still wet and freshly brushed.


    My augs told me he still had the nano-regenerative suite on him, tucked under his partially-open jacket. He walked up to the podium and cleared his throat. So, where was I? he asked.


    There were some nervous chuckles and genuine laughs from the people in the room.


    Im truly sorry about the interruption. I assure you weve heightened security quite substantially. It should prevent anything like that from happening again. At least, I hope so, the last lesson was on the painful side, so I hope it sticks.


    He grinned at everyone, as if he was talking about stubbing his toe on stage instead of being shot.


    Ah, I really have forgotten where I left off. I think I was thanking our guests of honour for tonight? The valiant samurai, Gomorrah, and especially Stray Cat, to whom I now owe my life, I suspect. He started clapping, and soon everyone else was clapping along too.


    It felt at once hollow--these people, with maybe three exceptions, didnt give a flying shit about me--at the same time, I felt an unfamiliar warmth rising to my cheeks.


    The clapping died down soon enough and Burringham took to talking again. Now, tonights hero isnt the only one I want to thank. All of you deserve a round of applause for not panicking. Ive been informed that you were all quite restrained and empathetic, and I appreciate that. As this city moves forward,especially so soon after a disaster like the incursion that we just survived, its important that we all try to come together and especially work together to fix our home.


    I sat back and half-listened to Burringham as he worked the crowd. His miraculous return was working in his favour, I suspected.


    You might be interested to know that your ranking in the popularity charts has changed quite substantially. Welcome to the under thirty-thousand bracket. Though you are still behind Gomorrah.


    I blinked. Id become more popular? For the stunt we pulled?


    But that begged the question; how had Gomorrah stayed ahead?


    ***