Flies to Honey: Part Nine
by J Jericho Born
"We're here," announced Giles after carefully parking in a rather cramped motel lot, using the dwindling dusk light and a few tacky neon signs as his only sources of illumination.

"Finally," yawned Cordelia. "How about if I drive on the way back and cut down on the travel time," she suggested.

"A good idea in all respects except one: I'm sure Oz would appreciate us keeping his prized van in one piece," declined Giles, exiting the vehicle as he spoke. He called out from over his shoulder, "Don't forget the luggage."

To Willow's dismay both Buffy and Cordelia began to leave the van, carrying only their own relatively trivial cargo. She looked over the mass of items she had brought with concern.

"Guys," pleaded Willow, "What about all of my stuff?"

"I think it's only fair if Cordy helped you out this time," reasoned Buffy.

"Please," rebuked Cordelia, "Just because Willow is trying to be miss voodoo princess doesn't mean I have to do hard labor." Cordelia marched off following Giles after her selfless declaration.

"Will, why don't you get Xander to help you out?" Buffy suggested. She, too, went in the direction Giles had gone.

Slightly peeved, Willow leaned over to a snoozing Xander. She prepared her most tender, helpless voice to beseech him with. After a moment's hesitation she opted for another approach.

"Xander," Willow said with a couple well aimed pokes to the rib cage. Xander shook himself from his sleep and fought to regain his bearings.

"Xander," reiterated Willow. She paused until she thought Xander was listening to some degree and continued, "Giles said you should bring the luggage." Without a moments delay, she scurried off to join the others.

Willow found the trio of Giles, Cordelia, and Buffy huddled outside their potential lodgings. It was a rather disconcerting sight; dingy when applied to the motel would be a complement. Broken windows, rotting doorframes, and grimy exteriors were the best features of this establishment.

"Ok, Giles, now I know you don't want to waste money, but you're pinching one too many pennies with this," said a disgusted Cordelia.

"I was told these were the best accomodations in Weberton," said Giles in reply.

"I hate to see what the bad places look like," commented Buffy.

"Yeah, I mean, this thing is a star short of being a one star hotel," criticised Cordelia.

"Weberton isn't the most affluent community in California," informed Willow.

"Well, let's enter, shall we?" sighed Giles.

The group of slayerettes entered the check-in office warily. Behind the front desk sat a man who looked like he frequented fast food establishments, clad only in a wifebeater undershirt and beaten-up khakis. A seemingly ancient television set was his only company.

"Well look here, you must be the English guy who called," observed the front desk clerk. He introduced, "My name is Eddie."

"Very nice to meet you, Mr. . . uh. . . Eddie," greeted Giles.

"And how are y'all doing this afternoon?" inquried Eddie with a working man's charm.

"Fine, thank you," answered Giles.

"How about the classy ladies you got here, how are y'all doing?" Eddie asked while addressing Buffy.

"Fine," simply replied Buffy.

"Just fine?" Eddie questioned further.

Buffy answered impudently, "Just fine." The ill feeling in her stomach continued to grow worse. This was her first major road trip in her Slayer capacity, she was hoping for it to make a better impression. Buffy quickly cut short her train of thought and attributed it to her insatiable need to make her dislike of this ogre behind the counter painfully aware, but deep down she knew it held more signifigance.

"Now if I remember right you needed two rooms for the evening," said Eddie, speaking to Giles once again.

"That's correct," Giles affirmed.

"That'll be thirty-two dollars then," said Eddie. Giles pulled out his wallet and stumbled through it to retrieve the desired amount.

"For another twenty I'll make sure the cops don't come by tonight and do the whole vice routine," offered Eddie.

Giles looked quite offended and replied angrily, "The only thing we'll be doing in the middle of the night shall be sleeping."

"Of course, of course. This is a class establishment," agreed Eddie. "Speaking of being a class establishment, all these gals are eighteen, right?" he appended.

"That's of no concern of yours," chastied Giles, he placed a handful of cash on the counter top.

"Ok, if you want to play it that way. Far as I know, jack, they're all legal," said Eddie as he handed over a few keys and a receipt.

"Thank you very much," said Giles with a touch of sarcasim. The four turned to leave with a colorful first impression of Weberton on their minds.


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