Another sharp stab of pain nearly b

Another sharp stab of pain nearly blinded him as he shook out the pills. Most spilled out, except for a few that managed to stay on his trembling palm. 1mg, the doctor said right? He had said he could take up to 2 pills at once, the doctor had said… 2 mg… two pills… right… 2 mg… 2mg… just 2mg…
He swallowed them with the tap water and reached forward; the sound of the water draining was like hearing a thunderstorm storm between the two hemispheres of his brain. He sighed when the gurgling finally stopped. Like standing mid traffic with no signs, no lights. Everything out of order. Sequence destroying itself.
Takaba’s hand knocked over the cup that was at the edge of the sink and it shattered. Shattered. A kaleidoscope of high pitched shrills resonated, ricocheting off the insides of his skulls.
“Sei? Sei! What’s going on in there?” The door rattled. “Sei! Open the door! Sei!”
Shut up… shut up… shut up…
“Sei!” Gyles’ voice added to the tornado of noise, all these extra, redundant noise… “Open the door!” The handle seemed to blur, magnifying then shrinking, in and out of focus. Fading in and out then suddenly too bright.
Then nothing.
**
The parlor of the Englishman’s mansion was luxurious and extravagant, decorated with wood and leather and fine taste. Glossy surfaces were polished to a shine just as the leather seats was carefully maintained without a single dry crack. The cream colored curtains that covered the tall windows had embroidered edges that shouted money as did fine paintings, some of which were supposedly missing from private collections. Asami smirked in amusement, art aficionados were just too interesting in his opinion.
“Scotch?” Mr.Merrett held up the crystal decanter, the light from the chandelier scattering onto the intricate patterns of the posh Persian rugs.
“Just a glass.”
Naturally, they were there to discuss the future of their “business” together, the main topic of their conversation being drugs, both processed and raw. That and black market arms.
The UK drug market stemmed from the suppliers in South America, Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe, jumped to strategic storage locations in Africa or Eastern Europe, smuggled through Spain and then scattered to the rest of Europe.
Just last week, one of their smugglings boats to Spain from Morocco had been seized by the border security, and with the UK’s recent rise in the cocaine import, Mr. Merrett was keen on cementing ties with Asami, who had indirect but powerful key allies in the South Americas and the Middle East.
In this market, leverage was key.
Mr.Merrett sat before Asami in another plush recliner, pushing Asami’s glass toward him.
“Ireland and Scotland are, most unfortunately, starting to raise their awareness of the increased drug activity. The government there has been quite difficult to deal with of late.”
“But the sales nevertheless have been rising.”
“True, but I was hoping to maintain that for a while.”
“If all else fails, I believe that section has been milked quite for some time. For now, it would probably be best to tone down the sales in the area for a while and start preparing for a shift toward Eastern Europe. I leave that choice up to you. Spain, though, is essential still as a portal although I really would encourage you to open up the Netherlands route more if you plan to follow through with the shift.”
“Well. The main problem is the Peruvians and Colombians have not been on good terms with our contacts in Nigeria, and along with Bolivia, those three are the key suppliers into Africa. But as you said, Eastern Europe is a very viable market.”
Asami sighed. Just why was it that people didn’t know how to keep a handle on their own suppliers?
“Nigeria is something you will have to cope with, I’m afraid, for many years to come. But what about the heroine import-export?”
“We’re still building our trade relationship with Afghanistan and Pakistan although Iran has been getting rather out of hand. Their heads are getting big with the whole nuclear crisis.”
“Of course their ego’s grown.” What were you expecting? “They’ve been inflating it for the past few years.” Asami could hardly hide his irritation at this man’s incompetence. He wondered if the man even kept up with international politics at all.
“But I assure you, Mr. Asami, that the amphetamine and ecstasy routes with Poland and Czech Republic have been on the very fluid.”
“But that’s only within Europe. If you don’t maintain your international, cross oceanic contacts, I’m afraid there is so much leverage I have over the South American countries.” It was partly true, but in the long run… it was not so.
“Of course, I had no intention of letting those go to waste.”
Asami smirked over his glass of scotch; perhaps this alliance might turn out better than he imagined. Mr. Merrett seemed like a man out to please at whatever cost, and such men were always easy to maneuver. After all, they wrapped around his fingers out of their own volition. As of now, he had a hold on the routes to Europe but few in Europe itself. He had purposely come almost a week in advance to personally deal with business, put the real, tangible faces to the men he dealt with on a regular basis.
The talk lasted another two hours before Mr. Merrett finally said, “But enough of the serious talk, Mr. Asami. Perhaps you would like to know what we have in store for the events?”
“Go ahead.”
“Excellent. Next Monday afternoon, a photograph exhibit will open. Do you enjoy photography?”
Asami winced but quickly hid it nonchalant nod.
“Oh, good. He’s a brilliant young man, the photographer that is. Monday evening, there is a special performance of Les Miserable, the musical. Do you fancy musicals, Mr. Asami?”
Do I “fancy” musicals…never really thought about that one. “I’ve attended a few.”
“It’s truly a work of art, I assure you.” This man seemed to be assuring Asami of many things uncertain, and Asami raised an eyebrow. Mr. Merrett did not seem to notice the annoyance and carried on.
“The all-important dinner party is on Tuesday evening at the Ritz hotel, where you are staying. And last but not least, the London Symphony Orchestra will hold a concert on Thursday. If you wish, I can provide you with an excellent guide during the daytime.”
“I’m quite sure I’ll find my way through the city well enough.” Asami had brought with him four of his men just for security measure.
“I see.” The Englishman nodded curtly, “Well then, I believe we have everything in order by now. If there’s anything else you need, feel free to contact me.”
Like I need you to tell me that.
“Seamus, the butler, will lead to out.”
Sure enough, the butler was standing outside the door with two of Asami’s men. Asami was rather glad to leave; it had rather aggravating talking to the overly perky individual. The man was desperate to flatter.