Chapter 7 Chapter 4 Everyone who knows the goods goes to the stranger's tavern

The Stranger's Tavern is the earliest wine cave, gossip station and dead person distribution center in human history.To get to the Stranger's Tavern, you have to go through a few dreary streets, and then turn into a small alley that comes and goes.The reason why this small alley sometimes disappears is probably because it thinks it is shameful to be associated with a place like the Stranger's Tavern!The alley was dimly lit and full of gravel.The entrance of the tavern is a large iron plate lying on a dirty stone wall. Above the iron plate door is a somewhat stylish neon signboard with the name of the store written in ancient Sanskrit.The shop owner doesn't like advertising, and he doesn't need to.If you're really lucky enough to see Britain's oldest nightclub, you won't miss your way.However, if you are not a predestined person, it is impossible to find it even if you spend all your energy.There was no one queuing at the door, but it didn't mean that no one made an appointment, sometimes it was just because the person who made an appointment died.I translated the text on the signboard to Joanna, and she looked at the signboard expressionlessly.

"Is this a gay bar?" I can't help but smile. "No. It's just a place where people can have a quiet drink. Nobody bothers you, nobody talks to you about sports or politics or religion, and nobody wants you Signature. Good guys or bad guys can buy each other drinks, because this is an absolute neutral zone. Over the centuries, the Stranger's Tavern has changed many names, but it has always existed. No one is sure how old it is, only Know that it's always been a good place to drink. Last time I was there, it took the high priced route, serving good wine in a loud setting to a bunch of...interesting customers. It's just that opening a shop in Nightside often We need to change our business style, so after we go in later, please follow closely, keep an eye on your wallet, and don’t talk to any strange women.”

"I've been to nightclubs." Joanna said coldly. "You've never been to a nightclub like this." I walked forward, and the iron door slowly opened in front of me.I hate to admit it, but I was actually relieved to see the door open.This door is only open to those who have a good relationship with the tavernkeeper.It's been so long since I've been here, and I'm not sure how my relationship with the boss is because we broke up the last time we met, and I haven't paid off my drink bill.But now that the door is open, I'll be honest and walk in with big strides.Joanna showed a charming look, and walked in with me.When you come to this kind of place, you must remember to close your lips and keep your eyes calm, because people here have the ability to smell fear.

As soon as I entered the small entrance hall, I stopped and took a moment to look around.Not much has changed in the old place, still filled with Tudor-style furniture, on which several customers want to take a nap before leaving.The ceiling and walls were covered with obscene pictures and reliefs, and the Persian carpet was stained with the same stains as before. I was full of nostalgia, but Joanna always maintained a very serious expression.I led her through a floor full of drunks and walked inside to a staircase.Looking down through the stairs, you can have a panoramic view of the interior of the tavern.

The first adjective that comes to mind is "crowded" and the second is "low class".Obviously, the transformation of the so-called high-priced route has not been successful.Joanna and I came down the stairs with very loud footsteps.This is by design, as drinkers don't like surprises.The tavern is filled with very mismatched tables and chairs, and there are a few boxes in the inner part, specially for guests who need extra privacy... or for people to temporarily hide corpses.The lights are kept dim at all times. On the one hand, it is for the atmosphere, and on the other hand, it does not want people to look too closely at the surrounding environment or other customers.Most of the seats were taken, and seeing the drinkers reminded me of why I left Nightside in the first place.I recognized many faces, but they all pretended not to see me.Heavy metal music blared from recessed speakers, drowning out most conversations.There are all kinds of smoke in the air, some legal and some not.A sign hung on the wall at the bottom of the stairs, saying "Enter at your own risk".

Joanna pulled me and asked, "Is this serious?" "Of course." I said. "The food here sucks." "The atmosphere is not much better." Joanna said coldly. "I feel like the bank is going to lower my credit limit just because I've been here. Please tell me I'm here for a purpose." "Let's inquire about the news." I said patiently.It's never wrong to let the client know what's going on, especially if the client is visibly upset. "We need to know what brought Cathy to Nightside, and where she's been since my talent was lost. Almost any question can be answered at the Stranger Tavern, as long as you know who to ask .”

"Or who should I give the money to?" "Look, you're a quick learner. In the Nightside, being rich isn't just a trick, it's what you want. The really powerful people will pass the Stranger's Tavern once or twice in their lives." Second. Some say this place has existed since the beginning of human civilization." "It looks like the place hasn't been cleaned since the dawn of civilization." "Merlin Satanspoon is buried under the wine cellar here, where Logreus rested after his death. He occasionally appeared to punish liars. In the Night City, even after death, the powerful life is still alive. Very influential."

"Wait a minute. Which Merlin?" "Who else is Merlin? I've only seen him once and it scared the shit out of me." Joanna shook her head. "I need a big glass of wine. Now." "A lot of people feel that way when they come to Nightside." I headed towards the elongated mahogany bar on the other side of the tavern.It feels so good to be back, and I can feel the soul that has been dormant for a long time gradually awakening in my body.Sometimes I hated the Nightside, and sometimes I loved it, and the time I spent hiding in the real world taught me what I needed and wanted about it.I need the hidden dangers and crises in Night City, and I long for the violence and evil brewing in it. Only here can I really feel alive.I have had many good times in this tavern, but that was when I was young.I was unknown at the time, and no one cared who I was or who I would become.I walked Joanna through the noisy crowd, but I couldn't make out any of the conversation.The music on the speakers turned, and the Executioner's Choir started singing "No More Heroes" or something.This is the tavern keeper's way of greeting me to let him know I'm coming.Joanna couldn't stand this kind of music, so she leaned into my ear and asked:

"Is this the only noise here?" "That's right." I said loudly. "The owner here is named Alex Muresi, and he can play whatever music he wants. He likes heavy metal, hates any happy tunes, and never takes requests. Someone used to come here and ask for country songs, Alex He was killed with one shot, and everyone present applauded." We come to the bar.Alex Molesi was dressed in black as usual.His family has been the bartender and owner here for generations, and he is the only one left in the family.No one knew whether their family stayed here to protect Merlin or needed Merlin's protection.No one wants to know.Because if someone asked, Alex would start dropping things.Everyone knows that if given the chance, Alex would never stay in this tavern for a second.It's a pity that he can't help it, because his family is eternally bound in the Stranger's Tavern by an ancient oath.Unless Alex can find someone else in the family to replace him, he will not be able to leave until he dies.Since Alex Molesi was the last living member of his family, this was another excellent excuse for him to use customers as punching bags.

Legend has it that Alex was born in a bad mood, and it only got worse from that moment on.He was perpetually angry and could throw a tantrum for no reason at any time, especially when he was asking for change.Although God will not punish you for underpaying a penny, it is best not to do it in front of Alex.He claimed that he was the real heir to the British royal family, a direct descendant of Uther Pendragon, who had just been born in the wrong arms.He also claimed that he could read people's auras as long as he banged his head against a wall.At this time he was serving another customer, but he knew I was coming.Alex knows everything that happens in the tavern, sometimes even predicting things before they happen.One of his favorite tricks is to answer the phone before it rings.

I leaned on the bar and watched Alex.He looked just as I remembered him, just as scary and disturbing.He should be almost thirty years old this year, but he looks ten years older than his actual age.White and thin, with an unhappy face, as if something would make him angry at any time.A permanent dent had formed between his brows from frowning too often.When he gives you that rare smile, it's obvious you're in trouble.He always wears all black, with cool sunglasses and a gaudy beret to hide the back of his head that has been bald since adolescence. "Here's the proof, if any proof is needed," he was fond of saying, "this is the proof that God hates me!" He shaved when he remembered, but rarely.Even less frequently he remembered to clean the wine glasses at the bar.He likes to mess around with his hair, and the black hair on his head is pulled up in bunches and sticks all over the place.Basically he's a guy who doesn't have any concept of personal hygiene. Hanging behind the bar is the big calendar of <Dark Queen Elvira>.However, if Elvira himself saw the various poses on the calendar, he might go crazy on the spot.The coasters on the table are all printed with pornographic pictures.In short, Alex is terrible with women, and most women can't lower their style to match him.He was married once, but until now he has never mentioned that marriage.This is Alex Muresi, a guy who hates the world and is proud of it.Plus, he whipped up the worst martini in Nightside. I think we're kind of friends.We can live with each other's many faults, some faults that we would never normally put up with. He finally stopped pretending he didn't see me and cast his eyes lazily on me. "When I woke up today and found a rabbit growing on my rabbit's foot, I knew that today was not a good day." He said with resentment. "If I knew that was a sign that you were coming back, I would lock the doors and windows and melt the keys. What are you doing here?" "Nice to see you again, Alex. How is business?" He snorted hard. "It's so bad you'll need an excavator to dig out a little bit of profit. There's a boisterous bastard who lives in my wine cellar and likes to turn on the beer keg taps when he has nothing to do; and Pale Mike claims he now has Coroner's death certificate, officially dead, zombie, so refusing to pay all drink bills. Now even you show up. It's the kind of nights that give me nightmares and make me want to plant bombs in public places. Are you back What, John? You said you would never come back. That was the only sensible thing I heard you say." "The lady next to me is Joanna Barrett. Her daughter disappeared in Nightside, but I can't find any clues." Alex looked at me through the dark glasses. "I thought you'd find everything?" "I thought so too. My talents are blocked, and someone is hiding this girl. I won't be able to track her down again unless I get close enough. That means I need some clues. Is Eddie here?" "He's here, and I wish he wasn't. He's still sitting in his old seat in the corner, scaring away my normal guests." Suddenly three yuppies surrounded him from behind.I saw their figures in the large mirror hanging behind the bar, turned around slowly, and looked at them curiously.These are very ordinary-looking people, young, with top-notch suits, styled hair, earrings in one ear, manicured nails and, of course, classic ties.They were all clearly very upset with me, and one of them looked familiar.I noticed that Joanna looked displeased with them.very good.I leaned back on the bar, raised my eyebrows, and looked at them arrogantly.The familiar one leaned in front of me, with a smell of mint in his mouth.I hate mint. "John Taylor!" cried the yuppie in his scariest voice, but it was too high to sound scary at all. "John God damn Tyler! Oh, God is good to me, isn't he? Send you back into my hands. I never doubted that one day you'd crawl back in front of me, Tyler, so I could fix it with my own hands. you!" "It seems that you know me." I said quietly. "But I can't remember who you are. Do I owe you money?" "Don't act like you don't remember! I told you not to come back, Tyler! I warned you not to show up here again. You embarrass me." "It won't be difficult to embarrass you." Alex, who was watching, said.He was watching with great interest, but he didn't intend to intervene. Yuppie pretended not to hear what Alex said.No matter how angry he was, he wasn't stupid enough to mess with Alex.He focused on me and stared at me so hard that his eyeballs were about to pop out.His two friends also put on a fierce look behind them, which is called enough friends. "I said, if I see you again, I will definitely teach you a lesson, Taylor! I don't care about my identity, but you dare to meddle in the uncle's business!" "Ah," I finally remembered. "Sorry, it's been five years, but I know who you are. If it weren't for your monotonous limited vocabulary and the threat of repetitive empty words, I wouldn't be able to remember. Finch Thomas, don't you?" You hit your girlfriend here one night just because you're in a bad mood and because you're capable of hitting her. I didn't care. Really, I didn't. Since she'd be stupid enough to fuck you for money If you are with such scum, it is her family's business to slap her a few times. But you not only slap her, you also threw her to the ground, kicked her several ribs, and laughed while kicking. No way, I had to slap her You beat me up, steal all your credit cards, and finally throw you out the nearest window. If I remember correctly, you said those harsh words when you fled the scene while pulling the broken glass off your ass Normal people should be able to learn useful lessons from this incident. Alex, I am surprised that you would allow this pig to set foot in your shop again." Alex shrugged, squinted at the bar and said, "What can I say? His dad is an important person in the city. Both dads are." The music suddenly stopped.The drinkers quickly quieted down when they knew what was going on.Everyone was intrigued by the scene, and large stakes began to be exchanged among the crowd.Everyone wants to know if John Taylor is still alive, even me. "You can't talk to me like that," said Finch Thomas, though he was almost stuttering with nervousness. "Of course I can. I just said it. Didn't you listen?" From his coat he drew a golden sickle, a fine knife made for his hand.The blade is gleaming, and it is extremely sharp at first glance, quite druid style.The other two yuppies also pulled out similar weapons, probably the latest and most popular gadgets. "We're going to torture you," Finch Thomas said with a grin.His voice was lighthearted, his eyes sparkled with excitement. "We're going to torture you, and torture you, and torture you! We're going to make you scream, Tyler. Spread your blood all over the tavern until you beg me to kill you. I never believed anything about you Legend. Last time I was only careless to catch you off guard. After we finish making you cry, we will stop for a while and let you appreciate how we fix your woman. Then we will...we will..." His voice quickly became smaller under my stare, and it was instantly inaudible.I have heard enough.Listen to too much.Some bugs always like to beg someone to trample it to death.He stood upright, trying to look away as much as he could, but couldn't.He's completely dominated by me.His face was ashen, with big beads of sweat streaming down his forehead.He tried desperately to escape, but couldn't move.He cried.He peed.A large piss stain appeared on his expensive trousers.He opened his palm involuntarily, and the golden sickle slid from his fingers, falling to the floor in silence.He knew now that he was going to be afraid, and he was terribly afraid.I smiled at him slightly, and two bloodstains emerged from his eyes and slid across his cheeks.He wailed, as if a wild animal in captivity begged for mercy.Then he rolled his eyes upwards and fell to the ground, unconscious immediately.His two friends stared at him dumbfounded, then looked at me together.Although their hands were shaking violently, they slowly raised their golden scythes and tried to rush at me.Alex opened his mouth and shouted: "Lucy! Betty! There's trouble!" Lucy and Betty Coltrane suddenly appeared behind the two yuppies.The two women were Alex's bodyguards, tall and muscular, always wearing shorts and sweatshirts to show off their impressive muscles.The two look almost identical except for one blonde and one brunette.They exude a deadly attraction all over their bodies, as if coughing louder can explode a man's testicles.They aimed at the two yuppies, knocked down two golden sickles, and then slammed them into the bar, put their knees on their genitals, and finally threw them out of the tavern.The drinkers applauded loudly, mixed with a few howls of wolves.I glared at Alex reproachfully. "I can handle it alone." He snorted and said, "I've seen how you deal with things, and it took you several years to wipe off the blood. Come on, I'll treat you to this drink, please don't disturb other guests." Knowing that this was Alex's way of apologizing, I politely accepted his hospitality.At this time, two female bodyguards came over and carried Finch Thomas, who was still twitching, out. "He's going to sue his father." Alex said while watching. "Daddy won't be happy, maybe he will lose his temper with you." "Tell him to line up." I said.That's the kind of cool stuff you have to say in public.Goodness knows how many unnecessary enemies I've made, but a bastard like Finch Thomas is too tempting to snag for nothing, and that's public service.Joanna's eyes stayed on the two female bodyguards. "They are... what?" "They are my pride." Alex said softly. "Betty and Lucy Coltrane. The best bodyguards in the business, of course I didn't tell them that. They were tougher than a bull, but they paid very cheaply. They were married and had a dog before. , but let them eat it later." Joanna was a little dizzy. "I think we need to talk to Eddie," I said, changing the subject. "I'll see you later, Alex." "Come if you must. But if you will listen to me, I will tell you not to come to me again. You are a nuisance, John. You will always be a nuisance." When the show was over, the music started again and people started chatting again.But now they have something more to talk about.John Tyler is indeed back, and he's definitely in his prime.Things are better than I thought.The dramatic scene just now can help me avoid a lot of trouble, but it may also attract more unnecessary attention.I walked towards the most remote corner of the tavern, and Joanna followed me with a weird expression on her face. "Don't pay attention to Alex." I said softly. "He's the only man I know who has permanent PMS." "Did those two women really eat their own dog?" I shrugged. "It's not a good year." "What did you just do to that scumbag?" "I stunned him." Joanna made a face at me before deciding not to pursue the question.Really smart choice. "Who is this Eddie we're looking for? How can he help me find my daughter?" "Razor Eddie," I said. "He's called the Razor God, or so. The nickname was coined many years ago in a gang turf war. Eddie was fourteen at the time, but he was already a notorious killer. He was skilled with a pearl-handled razor, and he acted insanely well. From then on, he began to kill for money, and sometimes he even killed for the attention." "Everyone you know is attractive," Joanna murmured. "What can such a person do for us?" "Don't worry, there are more exciting things to come. One day Eddie disappeared on the Street of the Gods, and until today he refuses to say what happened during his disappearance. People only know that when he reappeared A completely different person. He is now sleeping on the streets, begging to survive, eating leftovers, wandering around, paying debts for the crimes he committed in his early years. Now he only kills the big bad guys, those who use their power to do evil. These guys often die mysteriously and tragically. This is Razor Eddie, an extremely brutal fighter for justice. Eddie doesn't care if his actions exceed the scope of justice itself." "You're preaching again." Since I brought Joanna into Nightside, this was the first time she showed hesitation. "All I care about is . . . if he can help me find Cathy. Will he get paid?" "No. Money doesn't do anything to Eddie anymore. But he still owes me a favor." "I don't want to know how this favor is owed." "It's better not to know." I agreed. We finally stopped at one of the darkest tables in the saloon, behind which Razor Eddie sat.He was extremely thin, and he was wearing an extremely filthy gray overcoat. Just looking at him would make one's whole body itchy, not to mention the stench emanating from him.Legend has it that when Razor Eddie appears, even the rats will hide in the sewers from the smell.He hasn't changed a bit in five years.The same empty expression, still fanatical eyes, disturbing presence.For most people, being close to Eddie was close to death.He likes drinking in strangers' taverns, sitting alone in dark corners, away from all light.Because then no one will judge him, and no one will bother him.Eddie's drink money was put on the bill of the tavern, on the condition that he never killed anyone here. There was a bottle of water on his table, and a few flies were flying around the bottle.There were more flies circling Eddie himself, but they stink to death if they flew too close.I smile at Eddie.He nodded gravely.Then I pulled up a chair and sat down in front of him.He stinks just as I remember him, I just wish I didn't show it on my face.Joanna tried to breathe only through her mouth and pulled up a chair beside me.When Eddie spoke, his voice was very low and it sounded like a ghost. "Hello, John, welcome home. You look good. Why do you only want to come to me when you have something to do?" "Because you're hard to find, Eddie. And you give me the creeps. How's it going? Any interesting kills?" There was a slight smile on his pale lips. "No one you know. I hear you're looking for a runaway girl?" Joanna was a little surprised: "How do you know?" "The news spreads quickly in Night City." Eddie said, then his eyes drifted to me and he said: "Go to the fortress to see." I nod.In fact, I also think that we should go to the fort to see. "Thanks, Eddie." "Susie's there too." "Oh, good." I tried to sound happy because Suzie was a woman with a past with me.I was about to stand up when Eddie suddenly looked at Joanna, startling her. "Be very careful around John, ma'am. He'll get you in trouble." "Is there any particular trouble, Eddie?" I asked cautiously. "Someone's looking for you, John." "Someone is always looking for me." Eddie smiled lightly: "These people are not easy to mess with." I waited for him to continue, but he stopped talking.After nodding my thanks, I got up and left.Joanna couldn't wait to follow me to the bar.She trembled involuntarily, and took several breaths hard. "Scary man. Where does the stench come from? He smells like a corpse that has been dug up after being dead for a long time." "It's better not to know too much about Razor Eddie," I said. "For the sake of our own peace of mind." We go back to the bar again.Alex greeted me with a grim expression.I look at Joanna. "Wait for me here, I'll go and inform the fort first. It's not wise to visit a place with a lot of guns." I went to the bar, picked up the phone, dialed, listened to Bastion's voice, and left a text message.While doing these things, I kept listening to Joanna and Alex's conversation.One must pay attention to enemies, but more importantly, to friends and customers.Doing so can make people live longer in this industry.Alex gave Joanna a self-conscious smile, but Joanna didn't smile back. "I'd like a large whiskey. Single malt, no ice." "Rare." Alex said. "Finally a tasteful drinker. You won't believe what the guests order here. Special beers, spiked spirits, and some shit cocktails named after puppies. Have a touch of vodka before. Plum water, what the hell." He poured a large glass of wine for Joanna in a reasonably clean glass.Joanna looked at him and asked, "Do you know John Taylor?" "Yes, that was my misfortune." "How well do you know him?" "See how well he wants to get to know me." Alex said in a rare serious tone.He can't resist a blonde, especially one who doesn't eat his way.That's why I feel safe leaving the two of them alone.Alex leaned on the bar, leaned in front of Joanna and said, "John doesn't like to get too close to people. Although he has been away for five years, I always know he will come back. Because his heart belongs here. He was born in Nightside, he is destined to die in Nightside, and he will never be too old when he dies. He always likes to be a messenger of justice, rescue helpless souls, and help people who are desperate. Wherever tragic things happen, there will be There's John Taylor. He seems to be as self-righteous as ever, thinking that everything he does is for the good of others." "How did he become a private eye?" "He had a gift for finding things. It was the only good thing his parents left him. Have you heard the story? Everyone here has. John's father killed himself because he found out the woman he married was not human. I actually feel the same way about my ex-wife. May her soul rest in peace." "I'm sorry," Joanna said. "How long has it been since your ex-wife died?" "She's not dead yet," Alex said. "I just hope she rests in peace." "Can I trust Taylor?" Joanna asked. "You can trust him to do what he thinks is right, but what he thinks is right may not be what you want. So you better pay more attention to yourself." "Razor Eddie said we should go see the fort." Alex's face twitched, then he nodded and said, "It sounds right." "What's the Bastion? Another bar?" "It's not a bar. The fort is a refuge built by many people who have been abducted by aliens. These people gathered together, bought a lot of guns, and made a strong statement that they would never want to be abducted again. Every There are cameras in every room, and everyone has to be monitored even when they are sleeping. Some people have explosives strapped to their bodies, which will detonate as soon as they detect something wrong. Legend has it that the ammunition accumulated in the fortress is enough to start a world war.” "Will it work?" Joanna asked. Alex shrugged: "I don't know. They won't answer any personal questions, because they are always on the lookout for any Starmen entering the fort. Anyway, over the years, the fort has become a safe haven for people. When you A place to hide for a few days when you need help or protection. A lot of runaway brats pass by the fort." "Are they good people?" "Oh, of course. I'm neurotic and violent and don't trust anyone, but..." I thought I had heard enough, so I put the phone down and walked back to join them.Alex probably knew I was eavesdropping on them, but that didn't matter.I nod to Joanna. "Nobody answered the phone, just the tape recorder. Looks like we'll have to go straight to them." "I can't wait," Joanna said.She drank the rest of the wine in one gulp, and Alex looked in awe.After finishing her drink, Joanna put the cup heavily on the bar and said, "Charge it to Taylor's account." "You're a quick learner," Alex said. Joanna and I walked up the stairs side by side. No one looked up at us, but Joanna suddenly looked at me. "John?" "What's up?" "Did they really eat their own dogs?"