Adrian Jackson Steele had never before been so glad to see civilization.  The sensation he experienced must not have been too much unlike that experienced by old mariners when they finally spotted land after months at sea.  Finally, the trying journey was nearing its end, and he would finally be able to rest comfortably.

Perhaps he was exaggerating, for at least AJ, as he was better known as, at least had a guide this time.  The only thing worse than a grueling trek through the desert is getting lost in a desert, and that had nearly happened to AJ toward the end of the prior year; he had felt pretty much the same way then when he had finally stumbled onto civilization.

On the other hand, there was something to be said about how atrocious travelling the desert in the summer could be.  AJ had done it before, but in times past he had been with friends or family who had helped him through it.  This time around, he was a lone drifter travelling with a caravan.  He had attempted to befriend a few of the caravan guards and travelling merchants, but at most he had earned a few chips and meals for his efforts.  None of these people had expected him to stay, and he had been an outsider the whole journey.  They weren’t bad people, but AJ would not miss their company either.

So it was that AJ arrived at Sully’s Rest worn, tired, hungry, dirty, parched, sunbaked, nearly penniless, and no doubt stinking to high heaven as well.  With any luck he could use what chips he had left to rectify some of those conditions, and from there, he could get a job that would earn him enough chips to live another day.

After passing through the gates to Sully’s Rest and saying goodbyes to his late travelling companions, AJ made his way to the general store, where he was greeted by a homely middle aged man behind a counter, who noticeably wrinkled his nose as AJ approached.  Yep, he definitely needed to do something about the smell.

[color=f7941d]“So, uh, I’m new in town, obviously,”[/color] AJ stammered.  [color=f7941d]“Do you know where I can get a bath and food?”[/color]

“The Inn that the traders stay at has lodging, food, and baths, although if you want a more filling meal, you might want to try Stella’s Dine-Out,” the merchant replied.

[color=f7941d]“I see, and how much does a night at the Inn cost?”[/color] AJ inquired.

“Well, I haven’t had to stay there recently, mind you, but I do recall one of my customers griping about the place price gouging.  I think I heard him say it cost him forty chips.”

AJ counted his chips.  [color=f7941d]“Shit… um, that will be a problem.  Say, do you happen to need help with anything that you might be able to, um, pay me to do.”[/color]

“I don’t need no protection.  Bessie,” the merchant gestured toward a shotgun on the wall,” and the town guards are enough protection for me and my establishment.”

[color=f7941d]“Oh no, I didn’t mean like that.  I uh, I used to be a scavver by trade.  I don’t have any good salvage on me right now, but, um, if you happen to have any salvage here, I guess I could appraise it for you.”[/color]

The merchant studied AJ for a few moments, then pulled out a screw driver from behind his desk and asked, “alright, how much do you think this is worth?”

[color=f7941d]“Old world, standardized phillips head screwdriver… Not too much rust, although with the right cleaner, you might be able to get more luster out of this.  All in all, it's a pretty good quality tool.  I’d sell it for about 10 chips as is, with a nice shine I think you could sell it for 15,”[/color] AJ answered.

The merchant nodded approvingly.  He quizzed AJ on a few other items and seemed suitably impressed with AJ’s responses.  “Alright, I’ll make up a list of items I want you to go through, and I will pay when it's done.  In the meantime, you can use my tub.  I don’t want you scaring away my customers.  And don’t try nothing.  I know my stuff.  If something goes missing, I’ll notice, and I’ll let the guard know you have it.”

[color=f7941d]“Understood, thank you so much for this opportunity Mister…”[/color]

“Jacobs,” the merchant replied, sticking out a hand.  And yours…”

[color=f7941d]“AJ.  Pleasure to meet you, Mister Jacobs.”[/color]

Mister Jacobs guided AJ to his bathroom and showed him where his soaps were (and asked him not to use too much).  AJ filled up the tub, took a quick bath, and subsequently felt like a million chips.  There is nothing quite like a good bath after one has become utterly disgusting.  After emptying the now filthy bath.  AJ returned to the merchant, who handed him a list, a pencil, and a notebook, and then showed AJ where the stock he wanted him to review was.  AJ then spent the rest of the morning reviewing salvaged goods and writing up his analysis on their value.  He still had a ways to go as noon rolled around, and his stomach growled angrily to remind him that he hadn’t eaten at all that day.  As he stood up, he felt light headed, reminding him that he hadn’t had anything to drink either.  Seeing a customer departing, AJ approached Mister Jacobs, who was muttering something about ‘damned mutants’.  [color=f7941d]“Would it be okay if I take a lunch break?”[/color] he asked.

Mister Jacobs took his list and nodded appraisingly.  “Good work AJ,” he handed him a few chips.  “There are more to be had when you get through the rest of the list.  Stella’s Diner is just around the corner from here.  You can’t miss it.”

[color=f7941d]“I appreciate it chief,”[/color] AJ snatched the chips.  [color=f7941d]“I’ll be back.  Thanks again for the job.”[/color]

Mister Jacobs had been right about the diner being easy to find; there wasn’t all that much competition, and at this time of day, the place was pretty busy.  AJ got in line to place an order, and after asking for something that sounded edible, he found a small unoccupied table and made himself comfortable.  He was very much looking forward to his water arriving.  He would have to be careful to pace himself.  Out here, he doubted they did free refills, so he would need to make it last.

As he waited, he scanned the room.  There were several looking eclectic folks in the establishment.  One guy was clearly a mutant.  AJ hadn’t had too many interactions with mutants.  He knew that a lot of people didn’t like them, but he hadn’t found any reason to dislike them himself yet.  In some ways he felt like he could empathize with them regarding being discriminated against because of how they looked, although they likely got it even worse than he did.

Another guy had a weird looking eye.  At first AJ thought it might be a cybernetic implant of some sort (he’d known a dude with one of those) but before he could get a good look, the man turned away.  It occurred to AJ that the eye could just be a filler glass eye or something if the man had lost his eye somehow, although he would have thought that a simple patch would meet the same purpose and would doubtlessly be cheaper.  Who knew?  It wasn’t his business…