Hope and Undead Elvis - By Ian Thomas Healy Page 0,78
wondered if she should risk not mentioning the pistol, but then considered what might happen if they discovered it anyway. "I have a pistol that's mostly empty. That's all."
"Any illnesses, injuries, or medical conditions?"
Hope almost burst out laughing. "I'm pregnant."
The man's eyes widened as he looked down at her belly. How he'd missed that, she had no idea, but it was like he was truly seeing her for the first time. "Pregnant," he said as if trying out the word. "How far along?"
"I don't know. Pretty far, I think. Is there a doctor here?"
The man took a radio from a pocket and spoke into it. Hope couldn't hear him over the wind, although she did catch the word "pregnant."
By the time he finished his conversation, her teeth were chattering. "Go on up to the main entrance," he said. "A valet will meet you, inventory your vehicle, and confiscate your weapon. He'll issue you claim receipts for items you wish to retain and chips for items you wish to relinquish. Your dog will have to go to the kennel, but you'll be permitted visitation. Do you understand these instructions?"
"Yes," said Hope.
The man waved his arm and the other two lowered their rifles, although they kept them at the ready. "Welcome to the Graceland Casino."
Hope drove through great swaths of snow-covered pavement that she assumed were parking lots, following a plowed track all the way to the casino's main entrance.
Brilliant electric and neon lighting illuminated the front of the huge building. Heaters mounted underneath the great carport glowed with ruddy warmth, keeping the blowing snow at bay. Armed guards awaited her, their weapons held at high point. She must not have been a credible threat. That suited her just fine; all she wanted was a hot bath and a meal. A man in a red jacket motioned for her to stop the car and get out.
"Welcome to Graceland Casino. Here we will take inventory of your possessions and issue you claim receipts for those items you wish to retain and chips for those you are willing to relinquish to the Casino."
"Chips?" asked Hope.
"We operate on a token-based economy in the Casino," said the man. "You may use tokens to purchase specific items or services. Or, if you wish, you may gamble to increase your wealth." His smile was pleasant and warm. "Just because the world has ended doesn't mean we can't maintain a civilized way of life."
Hope smiled back. "I suppose not. It's been awhile."
"Step out of the car, please, Miss. I'm Josh, in charge of valets and inventory."
"I'm Hope, and this fellow is Fidel."
"Pleased to meet you, Hope. Oh my God!" Josh's eyes widened as he took in the unmistakeable bulge of Hope's belly. "Is that… I mean, are you…?"
"Yes, I'm pregnant. Is that such an oddity?"
"It is here. Mr. Duce has been worried about it."
"Mr. Duce?"
"Zane Duce. He's in charge. He'll want to talk to you."
Hope's teeth chattered in spite of the overhead heaters. "That's fine. Can we just get this part over with? I'm freezing."
"Oh. Of course."
A middle-aged woman in a wheelchair with a manual typewriter in her lap rolled over to The Way as Josh and another man rifled through it. They called out items they found and the woman typed them onto a list. Fidel barked at them from inside the car. During a pause while Josh sent for someone with a collar, leash, and muzzle, the woman with the typewriter stared at Hope with tears in her eyes. It made her feel awkward and uncomfortable.
Fidel made no move to leave the car when the door was opened. He lowered his head and growled at the man with the leash. The man pulled a pistol from his belt and leveled it at the dog.
"No!" Hope grabbed his arm.
"Lady, settle him down or he eats a bullet, and that comes out of your credit. I ain't going to get bit."
"Give me the leash."
Hope approached Fidel. He lay down on the seat and put his chin on his paws. She could tell he was upset. She spoke to him in soft, reassuring tones. He cowered but let her collar, leash, and muzzle him. His posture of misery broke Hope's heart as the man half-led, half-dragged him away.
"Nothing better happen to him," Hope told Josh.
He smiled. "Don't worry. We're not a bunch of animals here. He'll have a warm, dry place to sleep, food and water. You've got enough credit already to see to his upkeep for a long time."