Too Broke For Afterlife

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Back in San Andy I feel motivated and ready.

I did it. I found Clemens and Nox. And that without any help from the others.

Just goes to show how great I work on my own.

The whole team mentality is so outdated anyway. One for all and all for one? I feel like it's always just been me, myself and I. Who would ever risk their comfort for someone like me? 

"Aphrodite, hotel and casino."

The man navigates his cab down the grand driveway and then stops in front of the marble stairs leading up to a glass entrance.

To our left I spot a white statute of a big breasted woman wearing nothing but a white toga. I guess that's our Aphrodite. 

To me the concept of religion has always been...questionable but for some reason when we learned about Greek and Roman gods in school, it suddenly became really interesting. And you know how hard it is for me to find something interesting. 

"Wow," slips out of my mouth as I gawk at the building. Through the door I spot a very fancy reception.

"Looks like I'm gonna enjoy a vacation soon."

"There's no time for us to laze around. You can relax after...you know." Nox turns to the driver. "How much to you get?"

"470," he answers after a look at his monitor.

'-470' the deep voice announces.

The others get out of the cab so I do the same.

470 KP for a 15 minute walk. What a waste.

I shake my head over this stupid decision as we climb the stairs.

An employee greats us with a wide smile. "Welcome to the Aphrodite! Do you have any bags you would like me to carry?"

"No, we don't have any luggage," Nox replies and walks past him.

"So just a night at our casino? May Fortuna be on your side."

I just nod with an awkward smile and then quickly follow my friends.

I've never been to a casino before, why would I? 

Gambling is one of the dumbest things one can do. Everyone knows that games at casinos are rigged and almost impossible to beat.

In the end you leave without money but instead with newly won frustration. I'd rather invest in stocks or something. 

The entrance hall of the Aphrodite is very impressive. Modern, sleek furniture is mixed with elegant and playful elements such as chandeliers and huge ornamented flower pots.

Must have cost a lot of money. Or, well, a lot of KP. And as I've explained how casinos work, we now know where those KP came from.

"Go to the reception and find out where the others are."

"Why me?" I cross my arms.

Nox rolls her eyes. "You're the one who told them to stay here so you know best how to approach this. Now go, we don't have time for discussions."

"Fine."

I trot over to the reception but take my time on purpose.

If Nox is in such a hurry, let's make her suffer a bit.

A brunette woman wearing a uniform and lipstick smiles at me.

"Welcome! Are you checking in?"

Okay, here goes nothing.

"I have an appointment with a friend who is staying at your hotel. Her name is Isabella Green, could you please give me her room number?"

Damn, that was smooth. Good job, dude.

Sadly, it doesn't seem to convince the receptionist though.

"I'm sorry, I can't just give out room numbers. If you'd please tell me your name?"

"Parker Jones."

She nods and then picks up the telephone.

She types in a number that I assume connects to the room and then holds the phone against her ear.

As she is waiting for an answer, she keeps smiling at me.

I instead use the time to figure out whether she is an NPC or a real person. She doesn't have that purple aura like the beaver pastor but from where I'm standing I can't check her neck for a microchip. The arms are covered as well. 

"Hello Ms. Green, this is Celine from the reception. We have a request from Mr. Parker Jones to receive your room number. Is this- Oh. Okay. Thank you, enjoy the rest of your day."

She ends the call and puts down the phone.

"You're lucky, your friend happened to be on her room and is waiting for you. It's room number 22, second floor. The elevators are over there."

She points to them.

"Thank you, Celine."

I smile shortly as a goodbye and then make my way over to the elevators.

After a little while, Nox and Clemens come walking over as well. They are discussing Indian food, probably to look unsuspicious and make the present staff believe that we don't belong together.

The ride on the elevator is short and before I know it the doors in front of me slide open again, letting me step into a well-lit hallway.

Room 22 is only two doors away and I waste no time knocking against the wood.

No five seconds later it swings open. Judy stares at me.

"F*cking finally! Where were you?" 

She doesn't even look at Nox and Clemens and pulls me inside.

The door falls shut behind us with a loud bang and I wonder if this is her version of being on a secret mission. 

"We have a giant problem. No, bigger than giant. It's enormous."

"What's wrong?"

Inside the tiny hotel room I pull out a chair and sit down. 

I examine the space. "There's only one bed, did you guys share it?"

"This hotel is f*cking expensive. You own us at least 1k," Judy hisses.

Oh god, someone's in a bad mood today. I look at Walter for help but he is looking down at the ground with a quite somber expressjon on his face. 

"Yeah, that won't be a problem. Now, what's wrong?"

"Well, look around. Do you notice anything?"

Not really in the mood for such games I sigh but do as Judy asks. 

There's a bed in the middle, a wardrobe, a TV and the chair I'm sitting on. A window with curtains, a ceiling lamp. The furnishing looks normal. 

What is Judy trying to tell me here? 

I'm getting more and more frustrated. I look at Walter again but this time he is too busy staring at Clemens and Nox. He doesn't seem pleased to see them.

And yeah, that's basically it.

Wait...that's...it.

"Where is Isabella?"

I look at my friends and as they don't respond, I quickly get up.

"Did she go to the casino?"

"No."

"Then?"

Judy looks at Walter. He shrugs.

"If we knew where she was, we'd tell you."

I try to process the information but before I can say anything, Nox chimes in.

"What do you mean? Be more specific."

She sounds very upset. But I know that she only worries about the mission, not Isabella's well-being. 

"She left the room a few hours ago and hasn't come back yet."

"Did you check the casino already? Maybe she's there," I suggest.

Judy steps forward. She looks like she is ready to punch me in the face.

"We did, Einstein. We searched this entire place and the area around it. We asked a good hundred people if they've seen her but-"

"Wait," Clemens interrupts her. "You asked others about Isabella?" 

"Yes?"

"Okay, that's not good. The mayor has already picked up Parker's track. Her people control all the NPCs, chances are she already knows where you guys are hiding. We have to leave." 

"NO!"

Everyone stares at me.

I hold a hand in front of my mouth, I hadn't even noticed myself screaming.

Oh my lord, I'm turning insane. It's official.

My friends look at me for an explanation and I clear my throat. 

"I was just hoping we could relax for a minute before we'd have to run again. I've been on autopilot for these past few weeks, I'm f*cking exhausted! I'm beyond my limits, I can't do this anymore."

A tear crawls up my eye.

Fantastic. This is officially my end.

I'm crying in front of others, might as well shoot a bullet through my head. 

Oh wait! I forgot. I'm basically immortal.

Lucky me.

"Wow." Judy stares at me. "I don't think I've ever seen you this vulnerable before. I'm sorry."

"Don't feel sorry for me, that's the last thing I want."

I lean against the wall and cross my arms as I try to avoid any eye contact.

"But as much as I understand your feelings, we can't stay here. If Clemens is right then we are in great danger. And so is Isa. We have to find her before our enemies do. There is no time for a break."

"Actually, there is."

What? I look up at Clemens.

The German thinks for a second and then nods to himself.

"I have an idea how we might be able to find Isabella.. It's our only chance."