AWACS - An American With A Chinese System
Copyright© 2025 by PT Brainum
Chapter 19
I rolled my window down, as he came walking up.
“Good afternoon sir, do you need any assistance?”
“No, I just needed to make a phone call.”
“Understood, and thank you for pulling over. I’ll just wait back there until you are ready to go, wouldn’t want anyone to accidentally side swipe you if they didn’t see your car.”
“Thank you officer,” I replied, a bit confused as the car was bright red. He went back to where he was parked, and got in his vehicle, lights still flashing. Then I remembered I had a new skill that made officials extra polite.
I checked to see what other new skills I needed:
Pick a New Active Skill:
~度日如年 to pass a day as if a year (0/4)
~饮水思源 drink water to consider source (0/1)
~天衣无缝 heavenly clothes dress seamless (0/1)
~害群之马 the horse causes trouble to the herd (0/1)
~请君入瓮 please sir go into the pot (0/1)
It was nearly the same exact list. The top one was blinking, it would blink twice, then pause, and blink again, so I picked it, and gave it my last point to upgrade:
度日如年 to pass a day as if a year (2/4)
- always know what time it is, can see countdown clocks for all activities currently underway, cost 1 point per day
- take a breath and pause time for one hour, cost 50000 points, can use once per day, can not interact with the frozen world, but may rest or change location if there are no barriers
Ok, the clock was mildly useful, it showed me the current time, there was a countdown clock for when Red arrived, the next daily double, the weekly double, and the driving time left for my current destination, which was currently paused. There was also a countdown clock showing how long until Mo went on stage.
The second level of the skill left me amazed once again at the power of the system. Pausing time for an hour was just ridiculous, I appreciated that at least it didn’t violate physics too much, with the restriction on interacting with the frozen world, but still, moving thru an atmosphere would probably be a minor physics violation. It made me wonder if it would generate a shockwave or even a sonic boom. Could I fly while time was paused?
“Scribe, you are awesome! I’ve got some incredible super powers.”
Scribe responded by blinking the upgrade button one more time, I followed his directions and upgraded the skill he recommended:
讨价还价 ask price, make counter offer (3/3)
- no negotiation necessary, immediately find the ideal mutually happy price between buyer and seller, cost 10000 points per negotiation
- immediately find the lowest price seller will accept, cost 20000 positive points
- immediately find the highest price buyer will accept, cost 20000 negative points
I wondered if Scribe thought that I could negotiate my way out of the trouble.
I pulled back onto the road, checking my rear view mirror. The cop pulled a u turn and went off in the opposite direction. That was nice, it’s not fun to have a cop following you as you drive.
I spent 2500 points and headed for the nearest Office Depot. Once there, I used my new debit card to buy twenty boxes of paper. I had a plan.
I got back to the hospital, parking underneath. A quick walk up to the ground floor, and I ducked into the bathroom. I summoned different clothes, changing and sending back my old ones. Then I summoned a box holding my casts, once holding them, I could return them back to their place, right onto me.
I finally summoned the wheelchair, climbing in, and wheeling myself out the door. It took a few minutes, and Mike ran to help me back into the hotel. Once I was back upstairs, and thanked Mike for his help, I locked the door, and got out of everything and into a nice hot shower. The stink of sweat after my unexpected notice was too much.
Out of the shower and into some comfortable clothes, I decided it was time. I made a phone call. But first I triggered a few skills.
“Hello, this is John.”
“Mr Marcham, my dear friend, it’s Koby, how are you?”
“Oh hello Koby, I’m well, how are you?”
“I’m feeling pretty good. I hope to head back to San Diego soon.”
“That’s great. I hope you are able to rest up well when you get back home.”
“I’m sure I will, I wanted to suggest that you send me a picture of Red Moro, if you have one.”
“I’m not sure if I have one, I’d have to see if I could find one online.”
“No problem, I’d also like to suggest that you write a complete and full confession, detailing the plans to have me killed, who’s involved, why, and where the money comes from, and email that to me. You have my email right?”
“Yes, I’ve got your email address. I hope you understand it wasn’t anything personal.”
“Oh, I understand, I even forgive you. I suggest that you send the email immediately. I’ll wait on the phone while you do that.”
“I can do that, I’m in my office.”
Each time I suggested something, there was a 37,500 point hit, thanks to my neutral point 25% discount it wasn’t the full 50,000 points of logic resides where it should be.
My phone buzzed, and I looked at the email, “Did you get that? That’s everything I’ve done, and everyone I know that’s involved.”
“I even see a picture, is Red Moro the one on the left or the right?”
“I’m not sure, I know he’s one of the two guys.”
“Thank you so much, Finally, I’d like to suggest that you find the tallest building you can, and go jump off of it.”
“Certainly, I’ll go do that right now. It really would be for the best. I’m so glad you’ve forgiven me Koby.”
“You’re welcome John, thank you for being a wonderful friend.”
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