Part 3
Sammy was nearing the bridge: a fifteen mile expanse of covered metal and bolts. To the right were the crumbling remains of 21th century buildings and oases of domes. Under the bridge and for miles to the left stretched the deceptively beautiful blue-green expanse of bay waters encasing the city—toxic and deadly poisonous to anyone foolish enough to drink or swim in them.
The homeless in their rags wandered along the bridge... among the buildings or huddled inside them. Aside from the deadly weather, pollutants gradually formed sores on their skin. They were clothed in rags, some with makeshift oxygen masks.
Sammy was crossing the bridge now, where homeless clustered together in packs of two and three or shivered in their boxes. It was near midday when the temperature dropped to 20 degrees. Late that afternoon, it would shoot up to 80 or 90 degrees— if they were lucky.
They saw the car, and shuffled toward it, hands outstretched, begging for money and food. Chamberlain's creased in annoyance. I'll be glad when they all die out. It shouldn't take more than another ten years. Might not take that long.
He looked down at his watch. I got a little time to kill. Even if I'm an hour late Schuyler wouldn't dare leave. I could stop by my favorite cathouse...
Then he saw her.
Just ahead she leaned against the railing, her head uncovered, despite the cold. A honey brown nymph with dark eyes, and two long braids flowing over her shoulders. Her rags were draped around her voluptuous frame, like gift wrapping.
She turned her head and looked directly at him, a tiny smile playing about her lips.
“Slow down!” Chamberlain ordered.
“Sir, I don't mean to be impertinent,” Sammy hedged in his bass voice, “but it's never a good idea to pick these people up.” The chauffeur had seen the woman too, and he knew his master's tastes.
“Sammy?”
“Yes sir?”
“Shut the f*** up, and pull alongside that woman ahead.”
“Yes sir.” Sammy answered meekly. As the sedan slid up beside her, the homeless gathered about the car.
“Please—I'm so hungry!”
“I haven't eaten in days!”
Sammy lowered the window on his right. “Get back! Or I'll electrify the car!” They backed away, their eyes wide and desperate. The chauffeur made eyes contact with the woman, and unlocked the back door. “Get in!”
Without a word, she slid in beside Chamberlain, pulling the door shut behind her. The sedan edged back into the street, moving slowly through the crowd.
She gazed at Chamberlain. “Hi... I'm Natalie.” Her voice was low and musical.
“Natalie...” He repeated, smiling pleasantly, tasting her name on his tongue. He stared at her... her eyes were large and almost black, her lips full and luscious. The rags she wore were nearly transparent. ..
Copyright 2012 Valjeanne Jeffers all rights reserved
read the rest at smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/159250 absolutely free :)
and check out more of my titles at amazon, barnes & noble and http://www.vjeffersandqveal.com
Comments