16. THE BITTER SEA

Located on the southwestern side of the true Point of Hell’s Point you will find the Bitter Sea bar.  This bar is a popular watering hole for edgerunners looking for work, or just looking to let off some steam.  It is also the central home of the Hard 8 citizens watch group.  The proprietor of the bar, David Branch, is an old Vet who retired here before the walls went up.  He runs the bar with his son Carl and two granddaughters, Elizabeth and Connie. 

Deals are made here, and the bar has a few resident fixers who will place Edgerunners with jobs, get them the gear, or just introduce them to the right people.  Because it is inside a neutral area, and so close to the wall, it has attracted many regulars, many of whom spend time serving in the Hard 8 themselves.

David often has live music, usually Jazz or Blues.  Very rarely will he have rock or rap, as he prefers to keep the noise level down and the atmosphere here subdued.  With the crowd he caters too, it’s often best not to let them get too worked up.  The only real restriction in the bar is that you don’t shit where you drink.  Most of the patrons in the bar are well armed at all times; it is not a place you want to start trouble. 

The bar has 4 floors.  The top floor is reserved for David and his family, but there are nine apartments.  If one becomes vacant, he will rent it out, but only if the person first serves with the Hard 8.  There is also a basement in the bar that serves as weapon and equipment storage, and an emergency exit through the sewers, kept barred to keep the Dead Zoners and Zone Rats out. 

Juice is the bars resident fixer, the man is an old school information and talent broker, and knows everything that goes on in the city, or will find out, if the price is right. 

(For more on Hard 8 please see Gangs Of the Combat Zone.)

Written By Deric Bernier, Image from Interface Magazine

For questions, complaints, criticisms and suggestions, e-mail the author:wisdom000@gmail.com