Page 39 (2/2)

The answer to the problem of food was so simple, really: farms needed faret paid Like anyone People didn’t do things just because it was right: people did things for money, for profit But Sam and Astrid were too foolish to see it

No, not foolish, Albert told himself Sam was the reat And Astrid was probably the smartest person in the FAYZ

But Albert was sone to the trouble of educating hi books that made his eyelids droop

“My boy’s going to need another beer pretty soon,” Howard said, yawning behind his hand

“Your boy gets a beer for every one hundred cabbages he picks,” Albert said

Howard gave him a dirty look “Man, you act like you paid for those cans with your own money”

“Nope,” Albert said “They are community property For now But the rate is still one per hundred”

For the next two hours Orc picked cabbages And drank beer Howard played soht

Hoas right about that: Albert had thought a lot since the day he walked into the abandoned McDonald’s and began grilling ha in the coanized, and pulled off without a hitch, had made him a minor hero He wasn’t Sam, of course; there was only one Sa heroes of that terrible battle between Caine’s people and the Perdido Beach kids

But at thatabout any of that He was thinking about toilet paper and batteries

Then Orc screamed

Howard sat up He jumped from the car

Albert froze

Orc was shrieking, slapping at his face, at the still-human part of his face

Howard ran toward him