It Was 2052 Read Online Free PDF Page B

two rooms faced each other, slightly larger spaces than all the singles that lined the main walkway. Couples were given those rooms.  Across from Jason and Larry, who both worked in the cafe, were two sisters. In the second hall,  two more couples resided.  John had often squeezed a full bed into a single's room because no larger was available.  It left barely room to walk, but at least beat two sharing a twin size bed.
    He didn't turn the light on in his room, scanned the spotty glows of night from the window.   His mind filed through the residents that he knew on his level, room by room.  Some were more friendly and likable than others, however, he couldn't think of a single person that made him uneasy or seemed suspicious. He was going to have to pay closer attention to all the residents of Brewer's he made contact with, perhaps even make an effort to meet the ones that he didn't know.  That somewhat settled in his mind, he fell asleep with thoughts of Mamie and how much he had enjoyed the evening.
    Over the next three weeks, he and Mamie shared a meal at least once a week and often an early morning cup of coffee in the cafe or an evening drink.  Her story was similar to so many in these times. No family left and came to the city to be around more people and work.  She actually was a well trained nurse, her father had been a doctor and she worked with him for several years after the event, until his death from an infection that they couldn't get the right medicine to cure.  The woman never felt like she had the heart for being a nurse and that wasn't what she wanted to do here in the city.  There was a big hospital and some smaller clinics, she could've lived in a medical village. She had declined and was happy working in the market.  John was a nice and interesting man, she enjoyed spending time with him, thought he felt the same.
    The old friend of John's often worked beside him and sometimes would join the new couple for a drink.  He hadn't said anything else about the serious exchange that had taken place, in the weeks that followed. One evening, there was a tap on the door and John opened it to find his friend there, a small bottle of bourbon in his hand. “Got time for a little nip, bud?”
    “Sure, come in,” said John.
    The two sat at the small table, a shot of liquor in front of them. The friend said, “Remember our talk? Have you had eyes on anything unusual?”
    “Not so far.  There are a lot of people here that I don't know. They come and go pretty regular.”
    “Yeah, like Mamie.” He smiled, “She's a nice lady, I like her.”
    “I'm rather attached to her myself. Truth is, it's really nice to have someone to share some things with, talk to.”
    The drinks disappeared, “Do you know the couple on the second level, the Pendeltons?” asked the friend. 
    “Don't think that I could say I know them. I've joined them for lunch a time or two. You know, folks on the second level usually work only short hours, not any of the manual labor jobs. I believe the two of them work in the market at various jobs.  Mamie might know more of them. Is this Pendelton of interest to you?”
    “Nothing definitive, yet. A hint or two of outside connections, away from Brewer's.”
    John said, “Now that you mention it, something I nearly forgot. Eric told me that on the day that he and Rose and the new friend, Jackson went out on a shopping and lunch trip, they thought Pendelton was in the back regions of the Luciano Village Pizza place. Thing was, a recognized street thug was also there with a young woman and was admitted through a door by Pendelton. They all wondered why the old guy would be in private areas of that village and have contact with a known criminal.”
    “I'd say that is of interest. Since you're at least on familiar terms with the couple, if the opportunity arises again, join them in the cafe. See if you can get a read on the guy. Listen, I still don't have an idea if there is some deep