Verse XXII

The Fleur De Lis is illuminated by an assortment of black lights, strobes, fog machines, and things that spray glitter.

Nebula tha Bounty Hunter is standing by a Bit Browser by the entrance with a crossbow called the Witch Finder in his hand.

The Status Quo is on on the Eyegasmatron hanging on the wall behind the bar.

Alexis, 808, and Officer Whistle Britches wanted pictures are being shown.

A robot rapper, Erotika, rocks the mic.

She's trill-steppin' her Ba-dunka-dunk 9000 on the stage next to the dance floor.

DJ Feedback mixes and scratches on a Death Fader DJ Mixer.

The Freakazoids a group of burlesque robotic dancers dance behind Erotika.

OFFICER WHISTLE BRITCHES

It's a good thing he let me in.

I thought I was about to have to put my hoof's on him.

Officer Whistle Britches begins to sling his arms around like an octopus with his fists clenched.

Alexis looks at him like he is crazy.

ALEXIS

Whatever, Boudreaux would ah' beat you down.

808 begins walking up the stairs to the Velvet Room.

Scarzenksy's Roach runs up the wall beside him.

A huge plume of hickory smoke is rolling down the staircase like fog.

ALEXIS

Come on.

Junebug's upstairs.

As Alexis, 808, and Officer Whistle Britches begin to walk up the stairs Nebula the Bounty Hunter looks towards the stairs and opens a streaming feed on the Bit Browser located next to the bathrooms.

Junebug is seated at a poker table playing cards with a bunch of fellow pirates, the CBR Kingz.

His girlfriend Minx is sitting on his lap.

She has one hand cradling a pistol called her Black Rose.

Her other arm is around Junebug's neck holding a half-empty bottle of Skull n' Bones Brand Absinthe.

Junebug sees Alexis.

He motions to one of the members of his security team, Chinchillla, to let Alexis into the Velvet Room.

JUNEBUG

Let her in whoadie!

I been knowin' that girl since she was knee high to a grasshopper!

They are seated underneath a chandelier made from skeleton bones.

Scarzensky's Roach runs under the table where O.G. Kush is sitting mind blown by another one of the fellow players ugly jewelry sitting at the table.

O.G. KUSH

Fool, what is up with that xyloid looking mess hanging from around your neck?

Snitch looks confused as he looks to Junebug.

SNITCH

What this fool talking about?

O.G. KUSH

Xyloid means it's fake, fool.

Ain't chu' ever had no book learning?

JUNEBUG

Hell g'naw, that fool smoke incense.

Everyone laughs.

SNITCH

Ya' regular high-bred gentleman with that fancy talk ain't cha'?

Snitch's eyes are bloodshot red as he grips a piss poor excuse for a pistol called a Pugg under the table.

It's taped together.

JUNEBUG

Look here boy, I'm embarrassed fa' ya', but dis' here the grown folks table.

We ain't playing Ole' Maid.

Snitch tosses in his bet.

SNITCH

You mean like that tired heifer ya' call a ole' lady.

Everyone gathered around the table jumps back in horror.

CBR KINGZ

Daaammnnn!

Junebug is pissed.

JUNEBUG

Fool, you outtah',pocket!

SNITCH

Forget chu', bug! Always, running round' here acting like she something special...

Snitch looks over at Minx.

SNITCH

Everybody knows she used to fuck for food!

Junebug loses it.

Like a raging bull in a china closet Junebug flips the poker table over.

Chips fly everywhere.

Junebug blows Snitch away with his pistol, the Kingpin.

Chinchilla grabs Junebug once he's emptied his clip.

CHINCHILLA

Calm down, bug!

Calm down!

Chinchilla hands Junebug to Minx.

MINX

Just walk it off, baby. Just walk it off.

ALEXIS

Who was that?

JUNEBUG

The kinda' fool that still thinks god rings the school bell.

Alexis giggles with a smirk on her face as she shakes her head.

ALEXIS

Junebug, you ain't right.

JUNEBUG

Neither is the rest of the world so I guess that means I fit right in.

Junebug lights a cigar full of hickory.

ALEXIS

How you been doing?

JUNEBUG

You know me.

I can't complain.

Junebug motions for Alexis to have a seat on the couch.

ALEXIS

Yeah, I'm hearing that alot lately.

The Occult Bureau still looking for ya'?

JUNEBUG

You know how it is? Life you can't reset it ain't no video game, the lawman keeps a coming and he don't forget cha' name, he'll hunt chu' like a deer, put chu' down like a rabid dawg', gut chu' like a fish, an' fry you up just like a hawg'.

Junebug exhales some hickory smoke.

JUNEBUG

But, never mind me.

What chu' looking for an ole' raisin like Junebug for?

Junebug ashes his blunt.

JUNEBUG

I ain't seen you in like a month of Sundays.

ALEXIS

I need to use the Infinity.

JUNEBUG

For what?

Alexis motions to herself, 808, and Officer Whistle Britches.

ALEXIS

We're sneaking into the Death Factory.

Junebug looks at Alexis like she's crazy.

JUNEBUG

Girl have you lost your cotton-pickin' mind?

What chu' going in there for?

ALEXIS

I have proof the Occult Bureau's responsible for the Star Dust that's being dealt on the streets of Hollow Point and believe it's being refined by Manzini in the Death Factory.

MINX

That ain't nuthin' new, baby.

Ain't a pirate along the bayou that don't know the Occult Bureau pushin' weight.

Junebug blows out some hickory smoke.

JUNEBUG

She's right.

General Grindcore been using the Armada to smuggle dust in fa' em' out the Golden Triangle ever since the war started.

ALEXIS

They're givin' the current batch away for free though.

Junebug and Minx both look confused.

JUNEBUG AND MINX

Wha'?

Minx snaps out the stupor.

MINX

What they doin' that for?

ALEXIS

I don't know that's why I need to use the Infinity.

Junebug takes another toke off his cigar.

JUNEBUG

How you planning on getting in there?

ALEXIS

Through the sewer system underneath the Death Factory.

Alexis motions to Officer Whistle Britches.

ALEXIS

Whistle Britches used to patrol it.

JUNEBUG

That true?

Officer Whistle Britches nods, yes.

OFFICER WHISTLE BRITCHES

In deed it is.

Junebug ashes his cigar.

JUNEBUG

Gonna be a rough ride.

Place smells like a stray dawg' with two butt-holes fartin' napalm, so ya' can only imagine what it's like inside.

Minx crosses her legs.

MINX

Whatta' bout' General Grindcore?

He's got the Nexus Point on lock down an' there ain't no getting to the bayou unless ya' go through him.

Junebug leans back and puts his arm around her.

JUNEBUG

She, right.

Grindcore actin' like the whole world on probation.

ALEXIS

I'll take care of General Grindcore.

Junebug looks worried as he takes a final pull off his cigar.

JUNEBUG

I'm getting too old for this shit.

Alexis smiles and takes the blunt out his hand.

ALEXIS

Ain't nothing wrong with growing old as long as you age like a fine wine.

Alexis hits the weed.

ALEXIS

It's when you go out like a malt liquor that things tend to get nasty.