Amorality Play
Issue 75

San Francisco. A couple of street punks are discussing a friend's sexual misadventure at the hands of a woman. They decide to spare change a young Asian man sitting on a bench. The man has an attaché case by his side, and is sweating. He says he has no change. As she pesters him further, the girl spots a Sigma in the Asian man's hand and shrieks. Tyler, her friend, begins shouting abuse at the Asian for over reacting, but is ignored. The man is focused on a restaurant window opposite.

Earlier, Dustin had been paid a visit by Agent Graves at the restaurant where he works. Graves had outlined the deal with the attaché and the evidence within. Dustin had a chance to pay back the woman responsible for his current situation. As the couple walk away, Tyler is still expressing his disbelief. he cannot believe someone would pull a gun on them for pan handling. He asks an approaching figure for change. Lono looks at the expensive boots on Tyler's feet, declines to give any money and walks on. Hearing Tyler's whispered "fuck you", he turns back.

As Dustin recalls more of his encounter with Graves, he is joined by another stranger. This man attempts to engage Dustin in small talk, making overtures for a homosexual encounter. Dustin fails to acknowledge the man in any way, but Lono manages to gain a strong response from the interloper as he forces a light for his cigar, then scares the man into leaving. Lono then turns his attention to Dustin, asking if he's the sort who grants his victim a final meal. Dustin turns towards Lono, the last memories of Graves leaving his head. He puts a hand to the gun inside his coat, but Lono suggests he doesn't try it as he'll empty the gun into Dustin's face. He knows Dustin is smart, and asks just how he's planning to kill his intended victim. He wants to know whether he will go from a distance or at close range. He plays through an entire scenario for Dustin's benefit, resulting in a grisly demise for the woman and a scot-free ending for Dustin, and never mind the others. When queried about these 'others', Lono points out that there are other lives that would be affected by the woman's death.

Tyler and his friend are approached by the man Lono dismissed. Tyler spare changes again but is declined, the man offers to buy the pair something to eat instead, but soon changes the deal from food to sex, with money on offer. Tyler agrees, but as they head for the man's car, Tyler is asked what happened to his shoes. The boots hang above their heads on a power cable, the result of the earlier encounter with Lono.

Lono meanwhile, is enlightening Dustin on his victim's more recent history. She now runs a clinic, helping drug addicts, alcoholics and such to straighten out. The information was in the attaché, so Dustin is aware of the facts. Lono asks when it was that she ruined his life. Dustin tells him it was in medical school, and her actions were deliberate. Lono asks if Dustin thinks she regrets it. Dustin doubts she even thinks about him at all. Lono can see this, as she must have a lot on her mind running the clinic. Dustin asks if he can sleep on the decision, as murder isn't easy. Lono disagrees with him, saying it is. As they talk, Tyler and the girl get into the car with their new benefactor. Advances are made, but hidden under the seat of the car is a length of rope, a roll of tape and a hunting knife. Their seemingly harmless friend isn't all he appears. Lono spies Dustin's target leaving the restaurant, and tells him it's nice to see he allowed her a last meal. Dustin is still unsure of himself, and asks what Lono would do in his situation. Lono grins as he walks away.

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