Dystopia Chapter 25: Barrio Hollywood

“Barrio Hollywood,” I said.

“You mean where we just recently ran from, leaving our mark in - ‘dust burger’?” Frank asked.

“No, beyond that, in the valley. Enough begging, seeking small game. It’s time to find bigger prey. If we intend to take a risk, there needs to be a larger payoff, something to show for our incursion. If we have a reputation, let’s use it to our advantage.”

Our Scout Teams had been visiting all around the region, losing team members, returning with next to nothing. Addison was right; now’s the time to step up, take a chance. The risk factor will increase exponentially; still, we need to find out what is available and who is in charge. Someone out there is hunting us down. We need more information.

“How do we pull this off?” Frank asked.

How do we do this? We have nothing to trade. No ready cash. I close my eyes and consider various scenarios. Getting in should be easy enough. It’s getting back out that is more complex, with rogue gangs waiting for easy prey to appear. Wagons weighed down. Average gang size we will confront: ten to twelve armed members, ready to die, doubtful, feeling invincible, but poorly trained? Lots of talk. Makes one wonder how much individually they will invest, their lives? What’s it worth to face off? To engage. Maybe a few are actually crazy enough to step over the line and confront a psychopath. Others panicky, false bravado. How well will they handle pandemonium, a confrontation? What about their mounts? Any motorize vehicles? Their skills. Just a flashy show of bluster when confronted that fails when faced?

“Frank, you and I will head out mid-afternoon. You will drive the wagon, two horses. Be chatty. The story is simple: we are looking for a few supplies; we need some food, cheap, will spend the night, and head out the next day. In the wagon, we will have a few scatter supplies. When approached, inquire who we might trade with, where, etc. Whatever info you can glean. Make a friend.”

“And if they want to know who we are?” Frank asked.

“Never lie. We need to know what they know, and it’s too hard to keep track of lies.”

“The rest will head at dinner time, each a mount in tow. Find a blacksmith. You’re dirty, tired, looking for a meal, a place to crash for the evening, a space, cheap, maybe under a tree. You will spend the next day getting the horses cared for, scouting about, and trying to be invisible. Learn what you can, note places, events, people, but be discreet. Let’s try to avoid trouble. Hopefully, no one will get the urge to challenge our presence.”

“Meanwhile, Frank and I will beg, borrow, trade for, or steal the best we can in the few hours we will be in town. When we leave, we leave together, quickly. With the following switch, Brett, you handle the wagon, while Frank will be back at shotgun.”

“May I make one suggestion, a modification?” Addison added. “Frank’s a gifted talker, but seriously, I’ll attract more attention, more of a visual attraction — and I’m friendly. I can chat up other females without creating an issue with some possessive dude. How about I join you and Frank mid-afternoon? We ride in together, then once in town Frank deals with the wagon, and you and I explore. And that way I can keep you out of trouble.”

“Sure.”

Sitting nearby, an unexpected voice interjected, “What about me?” Diana asked.

“Absolutely not!” Frank replied.

Diana looked hurt. “Excuse me, absolutely not?”

Everyone was looking at Frank as he searched for something to say. “Grand plan,” Frank mumbled.

“Tomorrow,” I said.

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