America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 1: Feeling Lucky Read Online Free Page A

never believe
anybody.
    “ I removed the bullet. I
thought you would suffer brain damage, maybe never walk or talk
again. However, your brain appears to be repairing itself at an
amazing rate. Quite frankly, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s
almost a miracle. There will be some cosmetic surgery needed on
your skull, of course. I didn’t want to say anything while the
sheriff’s detective was here, but some illegal computer chips in
your arm might have had something to do with mitigating your brain
damage and the subsequent healing. We think that Fountain of Youth
chip had just started to kick in when you were shot. A combination
of quick medical response and accelerated cell growth saved your
life,” the doctor concluded.
    “ Great! So, you can fix me?”
I asked.
    “ There is still the matter
of your bill. New Boston General Hospital is not a charity
hospital. We take cash only, or we work with your health plan. Do
you have a health plan?” asked Dr. Fischer.
    “ Did you check my card?” I
asked.
    “ Yes, and $650,000 is
impressive. But the bill will be $1,000,000. Brain surgery isn’t
cheap. Do you have other accounts? Otherwise, I’m afraid we will
have to pull the plug,” warned Dr. Fisher.
    “ Harrah’s Hotel may be
liable for my expenses because their poor security allowed Bubba
Jones & Associates to violate my privacy and enter my suite in
violation of my wishes. If none of that had happened, I wouldn’t
have been injured. Can you contact Harrah’s Hotel? Maybe they will
agree to a settlement,” I suggested.
    “ I will have one of our
social workers and a representative from our business office
contact Harrah’s and get back with you,” promised Dr.
Fischer.
    “ One last thing Doc,” I
said. “Don’t unplug me unless you talk to me first. I might have
other sources of income. Okay?”
    “ Sure,” said the
doctor.
    “ And keep McCoy away from me
too. He was bluffing, right? That cop can’t really throw me out an
airlock on a whim can he?”
    “ I would not push McCoy if I
were you.”

    * * * * *

    It was unnerving being in a coma. Very dark.
Nothing to do but think and wiggle my little finger. It was very
lonely. Finally the doctor’s reassuring voice came back. “A
representative from Harrah’s Hotel & Casino is here with me
now,” said Dr. Fischer. “Mr. Depoli.”
    “ Harrah’s is willing to
settle out of court for $100,000, Mr. Czerinski, and not a penny
more, in exchange for your written promise not to make public any
of this matter. And, Harrah’s does not admit any wrongdoing
whatsoever,” added Mr. Depoli.
    “ I want a million dollars,
and I want Harrah’s to put up a large billboard sign admitting I
was murdered because Harrah’s employees negligently let thugs into
my suite without my permission,” I demanded.
    “ Ridiculous. I’m doing you a
favor by just being here,” said Depoli. “If I walk away, you will
be unplugged and will die. Then you won’t be able to sue anyone.
You have no family. No one cares about you. In fact, I have a mind
to unplug you myself, you deadbeat bum. Doctor, it is my legal
opinion this man is dead. Either that or he will always be a
vegetable. It is inhumane to just allow him to linger in agony like
this, and it is also a terrible waste of limited hospital
resources. At least increase the morphine drip. There certainly is
precedent under colonial law to just let him pass to a better place
or wherever.”
    “ I am still alive! I have a
family, too! They will hunt you down! Who are you? Some kind of
bloodsucking lawyer?”
    “ Of course I’m a lawyer,”
responded Depoli.
    “ Did I tell you the King of
California is a personal friend of mine? Arnold is staying next
door. I’m connected. I know people! Check it out. Doctor, talk to
me!”
    “ And you are pond scum,”
Depoli shot back. “I’ve seen thousands like you come to Mars.
You’re bugs attracted to the bright lights. You can’t help yourself
but to come here.