#just a game of chess in westside and talkin about politics

[willinglyghoulified]

F:NV "Wicked Iron"

Excerpt from Chapter 3: Can't Stop, Won't Stop

MC: Dorothy Vargas

Just a little something for you guys because I miss you and I'm writing again. ♥ Also, here's some writing inspo for those of you that like to write with music (no words/vocals).

October 31, 2277.

"Check."

Another dirty chess piece tapped against the cracked chessboard as I snatched up the bishop that stood in my castle's way.

"You wish," said Maude as she took my castle with her knight.

"Damn it..." I puffed on my cigarette in annoyance. "Guess this just isn't my game. I've lost too many caps to you, old woman."

She cackled. "If you like losing so much, you should go back to the Atomic Wrangler. I'm sure you'll lose plenty of caps there."

"Can't. They kicked me out after I cut that guy's finger off." I moved a pawn two spaces forward to try and play it safe. "And anyway, shouldn't you be 'working' right now?"

She scoffed and moved her last pawn one space forward. It sat three spaces to the right of mine. "I have very specific clients, kid. And they ain't here today. Pretty Sarah calls me the 'discount rack' for a reason; you gotta be broke, old, or blind to wanna sleep with me. Not like I can charge much. So kicking your ass in chess is as good a side job as any." She laughed again.

I muttered under my breath as I moved another piece.

"Heard the Legion are on the move again..." she mumbled as she thought about what move to make next. "Seems like things out there just keep getting worse."

"Fucking Legion scum." I took a long drag of my cigarette. "Just let them try to roll into town."

She sighed. "Ah, to be nineteen again. It's you against everyone, huh?"

"Shut up. My hatred for them has nothing to do with my age."

"Oh, yeah? Just like your hatred for the NCR then?"

"We were doing fine until NCR took control and started taxing everything."

"There's only so much you can do as a semi-nomadic town. We needed people like the NCR to help protect us. The Fiends keep their distance. Now business is booming more than ever here, and we needed the extra commerce. Maybe you're too young to understand."

"I understand fine. It feels like everyone else refuses to understand. NCR isn't so damn special. They take what they want; they just do it in a nicer way than Caesar would."

"M-hmm. Just make your next move so I can win my caps."

"Maude," I groaned, "maybe just let me win this time? I still gotta pay Marco the rent."

She just grinned and shook her head at me. "You make plenty of money working for Tom at the Co-op. I'm not worried about your rent. I've never let you win before, and I don't intend to do it now."

I rubbed my tired eyes.

"You been up all night starin' at them lights again?"

"Yeah..."

New Vegas was always just outside my reach. I saw those lights out the window every night for years, dreaming of what luxury felt like. I wanted a taste of Vegas so bad it ached.