Jacob Burns and the Order of the Algorithm #Wattys2017

Chapter 8: The Mayor of Diamond City

"Hmm, yes. Funny you should mention my good-for-nothing brother..." He said with a scowl on his face. I felt my heart sink into my chest as he reached over to an old radio and flipped the switch.

"Funny indeed, as he just happens to have a few words to say on the matter himself." He turned the dial and the quivering, uncertain voice of the local radio host quickly changed to static until at last, he picked up another signal, with a voice I'd recognize anywhere.

"Listen up Commonwealth!" the man practically snarled, "This is John Hancock, Mayor of Goodneighbor, and I got a little message for my good, good friend, Jacob Burns." His voice lowered dangerously, as rough and jagged as a rusty dagger.

"We had a deal Burnsie... you and I. I don't know what that means where you come from, but here? It's as good as blood. You gave me your word as a man, and yet here I stand empty handed just like I knew I would be. Makes me think I shoulda listened to Fahrenheit and lit you up like the 4th of July. I mean, leading a band of ghouls and freaks into an ambush? Dear old Maxson would be so proud..."

"Well, friend, you better tuck that tail under and come crawling home like the dog you are, because if someone else has to drag you back for me, then you better believe I won't be putting you down easy..."

"So, Commonwealth! You heard what I said and that's right. I gotta right pretty pile of caps here going out to the first scavver to bring me Burns alive. Now that don't mean go easy on Old Burnsie, but he better be breathing when he gets here, because that bastard's mine!"

"So Burns, what's it gonna be? I get my money or I get your head. Either works for me, because as you know, a good neighbor always pays his debts..."

"Always."

The message ended and the mayor switched off the radio before it could start again, just fine with me as I didn't think I could stomach hearing it again anyway. This whole trip was starting to play out like one bad joke. I swallowed the lump in my throat as he sat down at the table's end, folded his hands, and gave me a long hard look.

"Ah ha ha ha," I laughed nervously as I scratched the back of my head, racking my brain for something to say, but I had nothing.

"So, now you see the predicament you've put me in? If I hand you over to Hancock, then I have an entire army tearing down my door, but if I give you to the Brotherhood, well, who knows what my dear little brother would do..." The mayor trailed off as he took out a handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead. Hancock had always had a way of knowing exactly how to make your life a living hell.

"And then there's your little friend to contend with," he continued, "I haven't the foggiest idea what to do with her. No room left in the jail and Outfield's bursting at the seams, so I suppose banishment is all that's left."

"Now hold on a minute McDonough," I said, my voice finding itself again, "You can't just throw her to the Super Mutants, she's just a dumb vault dweller who ain't got a clue, I swear."

"As though your word has any clout here!" He laughed, his fat belly threatening to bust his belt. "Besides, what do I need another dweller from Vault 81 for? They're all useless to me." He waved his hand dismissively at the notion, but that's when I got a crazy idea. A truly mad and outlandish idea.