Digital Fortress Chapter 37

Downstairs at the Alfonso XIII, Becker wandered tiredly over to the barricade. A dwarf- give care mixologist mark a napkin in front of him. Que bebe Usted? What are you drinking?Nothing, thanks, Becker replied. I invite to know if there are any(prenominal) clubs in town for punk bikers?The bartender eyed him strangely. Clubs? For punks?Yeah. Is there anyplace in town where they all fixture?No lo se, senor. I dont now. But sure as shooting not here He smiled. How to the highest degree a drink?Becker felt like shaking the guy. Nothing was going rather the way hed planned.?Quiere Vd. algo? The bartender repeated. ?Fino??Jerez?Faint strains of sheer music were being piped in overhead. Brandenburg Concertos, Becker thought. lean four. He and Susan had seen the Academy of St. Martin in the handle play the Brandenburgs at the university last year. He suddenly wished she were with him now. The breeze from an overhead air-conditioning sacking reminded Becker what it was like ou tside. He pictured himself go the sweaty, drugged-out streets of Triana looking for some punk in a British flag T-shirt. He thought of Susan again. Zumo de arandano, he heard himself say. Cranberry juice.The bartender looked baffled. Solo? Cranberry juice was a customary drink in Spain, but drinking it alone was unheard of.Si. Becker said. Solo.?Echo un poco de Smirn finish? The bartender pressed. A besprinkle of vodka?No, gracias.?Gratis? he coaxed. On the house?Through the quid in his head, Becker pictured the filthy streets of Triana, the acid heat, and the long night ahead of him. What the hell. He nodded. Si, echame un poco de vodka.The bartender seemed much relieved and hustled off to make the drink.Becker glanced around the ornate bar and wondered if he was dreaming. Anything would make more palpate than the truth. Im a university teacher, he thought, on a secret mission.The bartender returned with a blow up and presented Beckers beverage. A su gusto, senor. Cranberry with a splash of vodka.Becker thanked him. He took a sip and gagged. Thats a splash?