You know, I thought about it the other day. Just for a moment... A fleeting thought.
What the hell am I doing this for?
A good question right? One that deserves to be answered. I'm sitting in a dead end job, ferrying food to supermarkets around Erie. In a freaking Van. My mother's in a home, which might I add is quite expensive - I couldn't stand the thought of her being in some dump, and I haven't had a partner in at least three years. Does that come as a surprise to you? Hell, I'm pretty sure I'm not that bad looking, but a van driver doesn't exactly get paid top dollar, if you know what I mean. And man, I get no spare time... You wouldn't think it's a demanding job right? Wrong. You spend hours sitting in the drivers seat, either sitting on a boring long straight road, or not moving at all in a traffic jam. It takes a lot out of you. I get so tired at the end of the day, I just eat and then sleep.
I know what youre thinking. Change jobs Robert! Well I cant. You know why? Because there is nothing else I can do. Unemployment is so high on Erie, all because the amount of jobs available isnt keeping up with the birthrate. So I do my job. And do it well. Or lose it.
So that brings us back to the question. Why am I doing this? Its actually quite simple.
Money.
Its what makes Erie go round. Its what makes Pennsylvania go round. Hell, it makes the entirety of Liberty space go round! Everyones scrambling for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. And guess what? Ninety Five Percent of them wont find it.
Well, two small ones. That can be invested in to make one big amount of cash. The first? Its a nice tale actually.
Okay, I lie. Its a boring tale, but hell, I enjoyed it.
Sector 41-B, Dawson road. Uncle Raymonds Used Vehicle Shed. I needed a new van, and I didnt have nearly enough money for a new one. So I poked my head in on the way back to my apartment, asking if he had anything cheap. His eyes lit up like Congress Square on Liberty Day. Oh, Ive got something youll love! he says, so very confident in his words. He leads me out back, to a shed filled with old hunks, things Id never think about buying. Im about to say as much when we stop by a large object covered in tarp. Its about as big as a large truck cab, but I cant tell the shape from under the cover.
He Grins, pulling off the tarp.
I just stare. I know what it is, I just never thought Id see one in a Used Car lot. Its a CTE 750AE Starflier! He says, quite unnecessarily. Its a bit dinged up, but its yours for Eight grand! Im amazed. Eight thousand is a lot I only have Fifteen hundred saved up But hell, its too good an offer to pass up.
The next few days are frantic, going back and forth between banks, trying to secure a loan. Its while standing in line at one of those banks that I find my second pot of gold. DEEP SPACE ENGINEERING! A man in a suit yells at me from behind the TV screen, as explosions go off in time with the syllables of the words. DO YOU WANT ADVENTURE!? He shouts, turning to watch some superimposed Patriots dogfighting. A large D stamps itself out with a shout. DO YOU WANT EXCITEMENT!? he yells, once again turning to watch a Space station explode. The D is followed by an S. DO YOU WANT MILLIONS!? This time he doesnt turn, but is joined by two bikini clad women, who drape golden jewelry all over him. An E joins the D and S. Suddenly theres another explosion and he steps from the light in a white suit. Deep Space Engineering he says quietly, walking up to the camera until only his face is visible. Its explosive. The ad fades out after a good ten seconds of explosions and contact details.