Contents
32. Winter Journey (2)
Overview
Kumiko is mugged in the Underground by a gang of pale youths, losing her purse and nearly her Maas-Neotek unit. She brandishes Swain’s air-pistol, scattering the gang, but the weapon fails to fire. Recovering the cracked unit, she hides the gun, fare-dodges through Oxford Circus, and surfaces on Brixton Road. The episode underscores her vulnerability and growing resourcefulness without Swain’s protection.
Summary
As evening crowds surge through the Central Line, Kumiko follows Colin’s guidance to keep her head down. Her feet numb from the cold, she regrets wearing heels meant to mislead Dick. In the tunnel, she relaxes her grip on the Maas-Neotek unit, and Colin’s presence flickers out.
Four bone-pale youths in black raincoats surround Kumiko and swiftly cut her purse strap, seizing her items, including the unit. Kumiko rips Swain’s taped air-pistol from beneath her sweaters and presses it to one mugger’s cheek, but the gun fails to fire. Three youths bolt; the fourth freezes in fear until Kumiko orders him to run.
After the standoff, Kumiko recovers the Maas-Neotek unit from slush, its casing cracked, and notices a dropped razorblade. With the tunnel deserted, she hides Swain’s heavy pistol in a wall receptacle and takes a folded newsfax.
Continuing per Colin’s earlier route instructions, she rides through several stations, using the newsfax as cover. With no money or ticket after the theft, she studies the turnstiles at Oxford Circus, times her move, and vaults through, ignoring shouts behind her. She emerges onto the crowded, neon-lit Brixton Road, having escaped but now more alone and exposed.
Who Appears
- KumikoTargeted on the Underground; brandishes a faulty air-pistol, retrieves her cracked unit, hides the gun, and escapes at Brixton.
- ColinGuides Kumiko’s route; his presence flickers out when she loosens her grip on the unit.
- Dracula muggersPale, black-coated youths who surround Kumiko, steal her purse, and flee when confronted with the pistol.
- SwainOwner of the Walther air-pistol Kumiko had taped to her stomach; mentioned indirectly.