Contents
6. Barrytown
Overview
Bobby Newmark wakes from his near-fatal run disoriented and terrified, fearing a backtrace. He arms up and flees his condo, then searches Leon’s club for the dealer Two-a-Day without success. Hungry and paranoid about using his credit, Bobby finally sees news that his own housing block has been bombed, realizing he was likely the target and panicking.
Summary
Bobby Newmark regains consciousness after approximately eight hours, reeling from the aftermath of his catastrophic matrix run. Disoriented, he showers, dresses, and tries to reconstruct events: a vast threatening presence, then a protective, girl-voiced impression. Realizing his deck still sits jacked into the Hitachi and fearing a backtrace, he packs the Ono-Sendai, knives, and cash, and resolves to disappear.
Surveying the Projects from his condo, Bobby decides to seek help from Two-a-Day, the dealer who chose the supposedly safe target and rented him icebreaker. Crossing Big Playground, he avoids a raving duster and heads to Leon’s basement club, where Leon denies seeing Two-a-Day.
As Gothicks and dealers filter in, Bobby scans for Two-a-Day, probing a stylish Gothick “Dean” for leads but learning nothing. He wrestles with hunger and paranoia, refusing to use his credit chip for food to avoid being tracked. He observes the scene—stim tapes, Projects fashion, and his own ignorance—while failing to find the dealer.
Restless, Bobby steps out and checks a newsfax. A headline flashes past: a bombing at A Block, Level 3, Covina Concourse Courts—his own building. He realizes the strike was likely meant for him, given his botched run and lack of cut-outs, and he bolts in panic, with Gothicks calling after him as he flees.
Who Appears
- Bobby NewmarkShaken hotdogger; packs to flee after a failed run, searches for Two-a-Day, avoids using credit, then panics upon learning his home block was bombed.
- LeonOwner of the basement pirate club; denies seeing Two-a-Day and runs simstim for Gothicks.
- Dean (Gothick)Stylish Gothick who acknowledges knowing Two-a-Day but provides no help.
- Marsha NewmarkBobby’s mother; offstage focus of his thoughts and potential victim of the bombing of their block.