AWACS - An American With A Chinese System
Copyright© 2025 by PT Brainum
Chapter 12
I had a choice. Several actually. One might say I had a plethora of choices. If I used all my negative points to fly around, then tomorrow I could upgrade to level 50. I could use all my negative points, all my positive points, and a good chunk of my neutral points to do it right now, because one more guy took credit for the flowers just after I finished my calls. I could fly around with my bonus points and the daily double at midnight would give me back double.
I could arrange to go to a nearby casino with a roulette wheel and put everything, one thing, or half of one thing on black or red. If I won I’d get 100 times back. If I lost, I’d get half back.
I could probably get to the casino today. Google said it was about an hour and half to drive. I was waiting on my trunk delivery. I hoped that I could put them in place and use them to teleport to other locations. I’d be trying it out from the bedroom to the bathroom first.
I needed a moment to think. I popped into my special place and picked a peach, and popped back. I’d become addicted to these delicious things. They were an excellent way to end a nice breakfast, or start an early lunch.
I had a Free Spin, and they had proven to be dangerous. Whatever it provided might be something I had to deal with right then. I didn’t know when my delivery was coming, so I was reluctant to do it now. I also could do 2 upgrades, or one new skill in both Actives and Passives.
I popped out for another peach, and came back to the phone ringing. I answered and heard that the trunks were on their way up.
I sent my casts back to where they belonged, wrapped around my very healthy limbs, and got myself back into my comfy chair.
Mike knocked and opened the door as I invited them in. The ditzy girl from the antique shop was there with a luggage rack. It was funny watching her struggle as she tried to push it into the room.
Mike gallantly helped her, then skillfully rolled his similarly burdened cart into the room.
“Just stack them up against the wall over there,” I directed.
Mike had to help the girl, she probably hadn’t loaded them herself either. They were empty, but not light. I had picked their largest available models, they were plenty big enough for me to get in, and to close the lid. I didn’t know if that would be necessary to use them as a transport device, but I wanted to be sure.
“These are some big trunks,” Mike mentioned.
“No, not trunks,” the girl told him, “these are chests. Trunks are totally different.”
“Whatever,” was his quippy response.
“A trunk was for travel, a chest is for storage. Louis Vuitton trunks are the best, these are just carved wooden chests. Probably not more than 60 to 80 years old. That’s why they weren’t expensive. A 17th century Louis Vuitton? 15 to 25 thousand depending on condition. A lot smaller too.”
I was mildly impressed. The girl might be a flake in customer service, but she apparently knew her trunks. Of course I’d have to take her word for it, it’s not like I was an expert.
It took them about forty minutes to get them all up, one to each luggage cart.
I tipped Mike, and took the delivery receipt from the girl, who never bothered to introduce herself, and thanked them for coming. Mike left immediately, and the girl visibly pulled herself back in after examining the fixtures of the suite, the invitation skill apparently inviting her to examine it in detail. Her leaving was performed without comment by either of us.
Weirdos.
My phone rang a few minutes later, “Hi Mr Roberts this is Nick Karl, i just wanted to make sure that Edith dropped everything off ok.”
“Is that her name? Yes, everything was delivered as asked.”
“Jesus, that girl. Sorry, my wifes daughter. If you were two hundred years old and made by Tiffany then you’d know her well, and she’d be waxing poetically about you to everyone she met for a month.”
I chuckled, “It’s fine, I got what I bought, and it’s exactly what I wanted.”
“Excellent, please do come visit us again. If there’s something we don’t have that you’re looking for, we’ve got a great network of friends who can usually find it if they don’t have it.”
“Thank you Mr Karl, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Now to make some decisions. I called Gloria and told her that I was doing fine, and that she could skip me today, and I’d see her tomorrow. She took it well. I explained that I was doing better, and could handle everything myself.
With that done, I went into the bedroom, and summoned a chest. Quickly out of my casts, I sat in the chest, and tried to return it. Nothing happened.
I carefully made sure that there wasn’t a latch on the chest, and closed the lid. I tried to send it back, but didn’t feel anything change. I slowly opened the lid, hoping that I would be in the living room, where the chest had been.
I got out, and sent it back, with the lid still open. I found it in the living room with the lid shut, and the piece looking immaculate. Not a single blemish anywhere. The rich wood glowed. It was magnificent, and looking this good, I bet I could get twice what I paid for it.
I walked back to the bedroom, summoned the other five, and returned them. They all looked amazing.
I summoned the bronze, and returned it. It too was wiped clean from the oxidation, and practically sparkled in the light. That probably made it worth less, but interesting nonetheless.
I looked at the time, and decided to head out.
I put the casts back on, and headed for the lobby in my wheelchair. Mike was surprised to see me, but I just waved and rolled towards the door. They swished open as I approached, but Mike caught up with me.
“Everything all right Mr Roberts?” he asked.
“Everything’s fine, I’m going out to eat today. Feeling much better, and I’ve called a vehicle that can take me. I’ve heard there’s a great little Chinese replica garden downtown. I’m going to take the tour. Got to get out and get some fresh air.”
“Understood Mr Roberts, just call us if you need any help getting back to the hotel.”
“Thanks Mike.”
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