Chapter 24 Section VI

"Pioneer is a Christian gun store," said the clerk. The statement startled Decker. "Really?" was all he could say. "We believe that Jesus wants us to take responsibility for our own safety." "I think Jesus was right." Decker looked at the pistols and rifles on the shelf, and his eyes fell on a locked glass counter with pistols inside.The shop smelled of gun lube. "I want a Walter 380." "It's impossible, they're all sold out." "So is there a Sig-Saul 928?" "This is a fantastic weapon," said the clerk.He was wearing sneakers, jeans and a red checkered overalls, with a Colt 45 pistol hanging from his belt.He was in his mid-thirties, with a strong build and a tanned face. "When the U.S. military made the 9mm Beretta a standard sidearm, the bigwigs decided it would be more beneficial for intelligence officers to use a smaller sidearm as a concealed weapon."

"Really?" Decker said again. The clerk unlocked the glass counter, lifted the lid, and took out a pistol about the size of Decker's palm. "It uses the same bullets as the Beretta, 9mm. It holds fewer bullets, 13 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. The gun is double-action so you don't have to cock the iron before you shoot. - you just pull the trigger. But if the hammer is already cocked and you decide not to shoot, you can safely use the reverse trigger on this side to pull the hammer down. The construction of this weapon Fantastic, absolutely top notch."

The clerk removed the magazine and pulled the slide on the top of the gun to reveal the empty chamber before handing the gun to Decker.Decker put the empty magazines back on the magazine cards and pretended to take aim at a poster of Saddam Hussein. "You sort of convinced me," Decker said. "The list price is $950, and I'll sell it to you for $800." Decker pulled out his credit card and put it on the counter. "I'm sorry," the clerk said, "but Big Brother is watching. You have to fill out this form and have a police investigation confirm that you are not a terrorist or public enemy number one before you can get your gun. The paperwork It's going to cost you $10, and you have to thank the federal government for that."

Decker looked at the form.One of them asked if he was an illegal immigrant, a drug addict or a felon.Did the people who designed this form really believe that anyone would answer "yes" to these questions?He was skeptical. "When's the earliest I can get a gun?" "The law says five days. Here's a copy of George Will's article on the rights of bearers of arms." Stapled with the copy of the article is a Bible quote.It was only then that Decker realized that Alien City was truly extraordinary. Walking out of the store, Decker basked in the morning sun and gazed admiringly at the towering Blood of Christ Mountains in the east of Santa Fe.He still can't believe he's in Santa Fe.In all his life he had never been so impulsive.

On the drive back to the hotel, he reviewed the busy morning and all the things he had arranged: opening a bank account, transferring money from the institution he deposited in Virginia; The local branch of the economic company got in touch; he called his landlord in Alexandria and agreed to pay a fine for breaking the lease. In exchange, the landlord promised to pack and send his few clothes.He was exhausted from all he had accomplished, but the reality of being in Santa Fe was growing stronger.The more things he accomplished, the more determined he was to stay here.He has many other things to do.He had to return the rented car and buy a vehicle; he needed a place to live and had to find a job for himself.

On the car radio, he heard a report on the public broadcaster's "morning edition" about how many middle-aged corporate middle managers are quitting their stressful jobs (lowering and unwinding at their companies). before their duties), emigrated to the Western Mountain States, where they started their own companies and made a living on their own merits.These people find working and taking risks for themselves exciting and fulfilling.The host called them "Lonely Eagles". In fact, Decker felt lonely at the moment.Next, he said to himself, I'd better find another place, not a hotel room.Rent an apartment?Buying an apartment?How do I decide?What's in my favor?Just to check the advertisement column in the newspaper?Just as he was hesitating, he noticed a signboard of a real estate company.He was driving down a tree-lined street, and the sign hung in front of an adobe building next to it.Suddenly, he knew he had an answer, and it was an answer to much more than where to make his home.