Enga mellom fjella

Along the Po [52] [~530 words]

Along the Po

I

"No vamps ... really? We used to be vamps but now that we're reformed we're politicians."

"No politicians either."

"Gangsters?"

"Yeah, yeah, but they're a dime a dozen."

"You remember dimes?"

"Can you count to a dozen? Now, get outta here!"

II

The store was on the main drag, Prada on one side, Kors on the other. Just a PAM1 snuggled in where it didn't belong. The Shop was on the second floor. Looked like any pawn shop with the usual guitars, computers and a motorbike (the lift was in back). There wasn't much dust, except on the display of vintage dolls. Not one Chucky. I made sure.

It's not that I have an unreasonable fear of dolls; but, I've met Chucky.

"I need some cash."

"I need some collateral."

We all have needs.

III

Torino2 is known for it's palace, Museo Egizio, it's arcaded walkways. Advice? Best not to wander along the Po3 alone.

I was looking for mommies-to-be or mummies-to-be. Didn't care which. They were both equally useless and mysterious to me.

I didn't kill the unborn, no matter how tasty, and mummies were tasteless once the blood was drained. I wanted a Bloody Mary! After that six-pack, I sure didn't need one.

I was dressed up like Dracula. Since there was a festival in town, no one lounging under the old trees in Giardino Sambuy4 blinked an eye. I had always wanted to be Dracula; but I feinted at the sight of blood. I drank it from a bottle in a brown paper bag instead. I was a blood-junky. Vickie was my dealer. I never asked for its provenance. Any year, any type, was good enough. I never had enough cash for the fresh stuff.

IV

"You're bill comes to $500." The shock on my face made Vickie flash her Colgate-white5 teeth. "...or your youngest child."

"I... I ... I don't have any children."

"What type are you?"

"Type? ... Single? Average?"

"I meant A, B, AB, O. Positive or negative?

"B positive."

"Oh, I am." Vickie flashed those teeth again. "Too bad you aren't O negative. There's a premium for that."

V

The blood bank didn't pay much; but, nether did working at PAM. A side hustle of servicing the lonely and needy didn't bring in much. At least I didn't starve. PAM was cheap and I got a discount. Sleeping in the back of the pawnshop was rough though. I kept it free of vermin and 'discouraged' anyone trying to sneak in.

About the Po... it was running low; but, that didn't keep folks away. There were places to hide or at least be unobserved. Should someone fall into the river unnoticed... did they make a sound? Not if their throats were slit. Not that I would know...

So. I kept mental notes of everyone's needs. Blackmailing the local priests and politicians was lucrative; but, they all knew my face by now. Yes, they used to be honest vamps like me. Too bad they weren't still.

© Copyright 2022 Kåre Enga [179.51] (31 juli.2022)

Footnotes
1  Più a Meno “More for Less” - like a 7-11 in LA or Tokyo.
2  Torino, Italy
3  River that runs through North Italy.
4  Park in front of the central train station
5  brand of tooth-paste