"How much did this cost us?" asks Darian, eying the car unenthusiastically. "And will all of us be able to fit in this thing?" "I got a great deal on it!" says Watney enthusiastically. "How much is a great deal?" asks Darian. "No money down and zero APR!" Darian blinks, not quite sure what this means. "You didn't have to give him any money at all?" "Of course not. That's how the new economy works!" Zanax draws his sword. "Spit it out already, what did you promise him for this...thing?!?!?" Watney looks uneasy. "Nothing...really." Tully says, "Who cares? We have a car, let's go! I think I can figure out how to drive it...unless you know how to drive it, Watney." "I drove a pink Caddy once," says Watney, "But that was ages ago. You'd better drive." "Hold on, Tully. Just what did you promise, Watney?" asks Darian, ready to pull his own weapon. "Nothing...for 60 months!" Tully says, "Ok!" He takes the keys and gets in the front seat. "Computer, please start the engine," he says. Nothing happens. "And after that?" asks Darian, not willing to let Watney off the hook. "Well, after 60 months you roll the debt over and you're good for another 60 months. You never have to repay it if you know what you're doing." Tully looks at the keys in his hand and says, "Oh, right...need to start the thing first." He searches until he finds the place to put the key and then starts it up. The engine turns over with a judder and then settles down to idle. "Ok, that is better! Computer, please identify yourself." He gets no answer. "No computer in this baby!" says the sales rep with a chuckle. "I take it you're looking for one with a trip computer?" Tully shakes his head and looks over at the group. "Get in guys!" Vardui climbs into the bucket seat next to Tully. The robot takes a seat in the back. Darian shakes his head. "Not until we know the terms of purchasing this 'car'. I don't want to find out that Watney promised our lives or souls as part of getting this thing." "Well, what if I did?" asks Watney. "I didn't ask to be rescued!" "I understand that, but I didn't offer my life or my soul for this car. If you did, I want to know about it." "I did not!" replies Watney, in a huff. Tully says, "He said no money down...that implies it was a money deal. Those kinds of things happen with highly competitive economies...you really should have gotten the implant." Darian shakes his head. "He made a deal with a daemon. And while no money down may imply a money deal, it doesn't mean that there aren't other considerations. Now, if you don't care about your life or your soul, that's fine. But, I care about mine. And I want to know just what the deal is. Why is that so difficult to understand?" "Because you're a dumb-ass?" asks Wang. "Right!" says the salesman. "I'm a demon, not a daemon! That's the sales manager!" Upon hearing there is no computer, Tully says, "Oh, all manual then...ok, well, I did get some history on these things. I am sure I can figure it out." He starts examining the controls. "Is there an operations guide for this vehicle?" "In the glove box!" replies the sales man.
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