“I vote Thai.”
“You might get outvoted this time.”
“This is why democracy is dying.”
I walk around the empty movie racks and restack some of the boxes of DVDs that Samael has been pawing through. A lot of memories in this place and on these pieces of plastic. If nothing else, I hate the idea of the Angra destroying us because it would wipe out all this work. All this demented horror, action, and beauty. A universe without Terrence Malick and Lucio Fulci isn’t worth living in. The Angra must be real bores. I hate them even more now. I pick up a copy of Badlands and go back to where Candy and Kasabian are still arguing about how hot they should order the food.
“Here’s the question of the night. If we lose, what movie do you want to watch at the end of the world? I call The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”
“Spirited Away,” says Candy.
“The Snake Charmer’s Daughter, Brigitte Bardo’s best porn flick.”
I look around Max Overdrive. The rolled-up posters. The new-releases rack. The empty cutout bins. Fuck the world. I’ll kill the Angra to save my movies.
I say, “We’re going to need more TVs.”
>“I hope there are no hard feelings about the Chateau Marmont situation,” he says.
“No. I knew it was coming. I had my hand pretty deep in the cookie jar.”
“That you did, son. That you did. Well, I’m off.”
“Why don’t you stay? We were going to try and eat the last of the Chateau food, but I think we’ve lost our nerve. I figure we’ll send out for something.”
Muninn takes a last swig of coffee.
“And that’s why you won’t be Lucifer anytime soon. You don’t have the most logical work ethic. I’ll be heading back now to take care of business. Samael?”
“I’ll be along in a bit. I have a few of my own issues to talk over with Stark.”
“I’ll see you at home, then.”
And he’s gone. Vanished. Like a God.
I look at Samael.
“We have issues?”
He shakes his head.
“Of course not. I just needed a break from home sweet home. The palace is overrun with the high and holy.”
“And you’re used to having your own suite.”
He takes a Malediction from a gold cigarette case. Offers me one. I take it.
“You have to admit . . . it’s addicting.”
I nod, accepting a light.
“I’m bored to death down south. I thought you might let me raid your video collection again.”
“Feel free. It’s not like anyone wants to rent anything. Well, a few vampires, but that’s not really a long-term business model.”
He picks up a Max Overdrive bag and starts down the stairs.
“Specialization. Give the people something no one else can give them. That’s the way to stay open.”