Joe Pitt 1 - Already Dead by Charlie Huston Read Free Book Online Page A

like this, we could change everything, man. Like,
     for instance, my problem is this thing last night, this whole hassle over at the, well it
     used to be a community center, man, but pretty soon it's gonna be another yuppie co-op.
     But anyway, this thing over at the old center, this hassle with the kids and the zombies.
    Tom jumps out of his chair.
    --That's what I'm talking about, that right there. We rejected that term, man. We voted.
     They're not
    
    
     zombies.
    
    
     That belittles their status as victims, man. They're infected, not in control of
     themselves, and creeps like this stooge are still going around slaughtering them.
    Terry bobs his head.
    --Well, you have a point there, Tom, the term
    
    
     zombie
    
    
     does put the onus for their actions on them and implies blame. So what was the term?
    --VOZ. Victim of Zombification.
    Lydia finally pipes in.
    --I'm still opposed to the use of the word
    
    
     victim.
    
    
     It suggests weakness, helplessness.
    Terry holds up his hand.
    --I think you may be right there, Lydia. But for now, as regards the conversation I'm
     having here with Joe, could we agree that VOZ is a valid term?
    Tom and Lydia look at one another and nod.
    --Good, good. See, Joe, people solving problems. So anyway, this hassle with the NYU
     students and the VOZs. Something like that happening right in our backyard is cause for
     concern. We can't really afford that kind of noise when we're trying so hard to integrate
     into the community, you know? So what can you tell me, you know anything about all this?
    I sigh with regret and shake my head.
    --Sorry, Terry, wish I could help you, but I really don't know anything.
    Tom is back on his feet.
    --Bullshit! Bullshit! He was there, man. He was poking around when I got there with Hurley
     to take a look. So what were you doing there, stooge? What were you doing there?
    --He has a point, Joe, what were you doing there tonight?
    --Same as you guys, taking a look. I live down here too, and I've done as much as anyone to
     keep this neighborhood a quiet place; more than my fair share. Do I do some favors for the
     Coalition? You know I do. Just like I do favors for the Society when you ask me. This
     thing last night, that kind of mess is bad for all of us. So yeah, after the cops cleared
     out I went over there to take a look.
    --And what did you find?
    --Well I don't know, Terry, I didn't really find anything. Which is not to say I wouldn't
     have found something if this joker hadn't popped up and had Hurley clock me. Far as I know
     it's like the cops said and that kid Singh did it.
    --Really? Does that sound reasonable to you? I mean, knowing what we know about the world
     and the way it works? I mean, being an open-minded kind of guy, does that sound like a
     reasonable story?
    I look him in the eye.
    --Terry, I got no reason to lie. Far as I know the kid did it. But could this be, and this
     is what I think you're asking, could this be a Coalition deal? A setup? Well you know as
     well as I do it could be. Hell, it could be a Coalition op all the way down the line from
     the zombies.
    --VOZs, please.
    --Right, from the VOZs right down to the frame on the kid. But as far as I know . . .
    --It's just like the cops say.
    --Far as I know.
    Terry looks down at the floor and nods his head.
    --Well, Joe, that's fair enough. I respected you and asked you a straightforward question,
     and I can only hope that you've respected me and given me an honest answer.
    --You know how I feel about you, Terry.
    A slight smile visits his mouth and he looks at me from the corner of his eye.
    --Yeah, I guess I do at that.
    He gets up off the cot and gestures toward the door.
    --Well that's it, you can take off.
    I get up and brush off the seat of my pants as I head for the door.
    --You mind if I get my guns back before I go?
    --Hurley has them. He'll walk you out and give them to you on the street.
    --Thanks.
    Tom is glaring at