The Quest for Sunriseinsurance Day 11
Day 11
It’s been over a week since I left Casino City. A week of riding. And barely sleeping. And barely eating. I’ve been shacking up in abandoned houses mostly: trying to stay off the grid. I called Shift once, from a pay phone. I’m close. I can smell the sea.
I’ve had a lot of time to think and I understand how much things have changed. I will no longer work in the house of the enemy as a model inmate – showing them how to play fair. I guess this is war. War against the unjust, the greedy, and the violent… Sunriseinsurance is a good player – that doesn’t make him a bad man. What happened to Sunriseinsurance? Why didn’t that online casino pay out?
… 3 hours later …
It’s coming up on midnight and I’m catching my first glimpses of the ocean. It’s been a long day on the bike and my joints ache. It’s a relief to feel the rise and fall of the gentle hills. It’s a break in the monotony of the straights of the highway. The GPS is quietly signalling directions through the Bluetooth situated in my helmet. I know the cops can track me down if it’s on too long but, I just need 3 minutes and I’ll find Shift’s place…
I turn off the GPS.
I find myself situated at the bottom of a steep hill. The bike won’t make it up. I hide it in the dense vegetation and start walking up. The full moon hangs heavily over my head, my only companion on this lonely walk. After what seems like an eternity, I reach a run-down cottage. There is a string hanging outside the door – I pull it. I don’t hear anything but I hear the locks turning. The door slides open. Presumably, this is Shift I am looking at. He is so pale. He has a cigarette in his mouth and too many tattoos to count – I think I just counted all his teeth though: 12. He beams a smile: “Welcome home sister! Like the do? Just did it myself. All work at the front and party at the back! Now, give me your GPS. No doubt you used it to get here?” I nod and hand over the GPS somewhat blown away by the stench that came from his mouth. “Yeah, sorry ‘bout that. First thing’s first: we’re working on a trade basis. Ya got toothpaste in that there backpack of yours?” Again, I find myself nodding. This is incredulous! Toothpaste for his services? But for some reason I trust him. “Well come on in pretty lady. You look like you need about 3 days’ worth of sleep.”
His house is a palace! I don’t know how he managed to do this to this little cottage. But, I don’t care right now. “Your room’s down the stairs sweet cheeks and to the right. Don’t worry about them tracking you here. You came in to town at night. I know you hid your bike. I’ll get to work on yer GPS. Don’t worry pumpkin pie, I have my ways. I been doing this a long time. Yer safe.” I am so happy to be able to sleep.
“One more thing. You been carrying a phone?”
“No, Shift.”
“Good girl.”
“Goodnight Shift. And, thank you.”
Maybe I am finally one step closer to Sunriseinsurance…