Free Synaptic Manhunt by Mick Farren

the trick by the arm and steered him up to the reception desk.
    ‘I guess you wouldn’t mind giving my friend the desk clerk a little present, would you? He could get into trouble for letting me take you up to my room. You can use your credit card, honey. It’s okay. It goes through the hotel.’
    The little man looked apprehensively at the desk clerk.
    ‘The payment won’t be traced, will it?’
    Darlene and the desk clerk both smiled reassuringly.
    ‘Not a chance of that.’
    The fat man reluctantly produced his credit card. The desk clerk dropped it into the hotel transfer unit. He dialled out the appropriate amount and handed it back. Billy sighed quietly as the desk clerk gave Darlene the room key. They were good for another day. She grinned at him and firmly propelled the fat man towards the lilt.
    ‘This way, honey. I know we’re going to have a fantastic time. Just fantastic.’
    The lift door rattled shut and they disappeared from sight. Billy stood up and brushed a bit of chair cover from his yellow satin suit. He straightened the diamante collar, brushed back his curly hair and strolled over to the desk.
    ‘Did you clip him for enough so I can get a drink?’
    The desk clerk grinned.
    ‘He got clipped but good.’
    ‘Yeah?’
    ‘Yeah. I did you a favour, kid. I kind of like you and your woman so I got two days’ rent, a bit for me and a bit over. I figured you could use it after the state you got into last night.’
    Billy didn’t need to be reminded of the comedown he was going through. He did his best to look grateful.
    ‘Give me a drink.’
    The desk clerk reached under the counter and produced a bottle of schnapps and two glasses. He filled one and then cocked an eyebrow at Billy. Billy knew the ritual. He grinned.
    ‘Go ahead, friend. Have one on me.’
    He filled the second glass and downed it in one gulp. Billy took a little more time with his. He had to treat his head gently. It was in a bad way. The desk clerk was already smiling, looking for a refill. Billy nodded, and the desk clerk took another shot. He was just angling for another when Lame Nancy hobbled in. She grinned at Billy.
    ‘Found some credit then, stud?’
    ‘What’s it to you?’
    ‘I like to see young people happy.’
    Billy looked dubiously at Nancy. She was always showing up just after Darlene. Billy knew she was doing her best to try and get Darlene away from him. He wondered if she actually followed her about. Lame Nancy was a dyke who liked to keep her girls working. She had four set up in different rooms of the Leader. Her ambition seemed to be to make Darlene number five. Lame Nancy nodded towards the bottle of schnapps.
    ‘Is there a drink in that for me?’
    Billy’s lip curled.
    ‘Depends who’s paying for it.’
    Nancy sneered and patted Billy’s cheek. ‘I’ll pay, sweet thing. Though I don’t know what you’re worried about. That little honey of yours is upstairs making you the price of a few drinks.’
    ‘You got four, so I figure you can buy your own.’
    Lame Nancy nodded towards the bottle. The desk clerk produced a third glass and poured Nancy a shot. She swallowed it in one gulp, and nodded for another. While she downed the second, Billy looked at her carefully. He knew that she’d probably take Darlene away if he gave her the chance. Lame Nancy looked striking and had a powerful personality. It radiated from her as she leaned against the bar in one of her favourite gunfighter poses. There was no denying that she was bizarre enough to attract Darlene. She gave an overall impression of being totally white. Her hair was white and cut into a shaggy crewcut, her skin had been done into an opalescent pearl finish. She wore a white body stocking, silver wedge-heeled sandals and a highly polished, stainless steel belt.
    The whole outfit seemed designed to contrast sharply with the black callipers that supported her withered leg. Even these seemed to be designed for maximum shock. They were made from