As Astro walked away from Dave, she took the surroundings she didn’t get to in the dark last night. The strip mall now had a few more cars in it, 10 to be exact. The Olive Garden was open, The lights were off, although the vandalized car was still there. Astro stopped to look at a poster on one of the light posts. In the center was a picture of Dave pointing at the viewer like Uncle Sam, and the lightning font text read “Crazy Dave needs YOU to wake up! (424-CRZ-DAVE, r/CrazyDave, @CrazyDave)”. Looking at the sole poster, Astro noticed a corner sticking out from underneath it and pulled off the poster of Dave to reveal the poster underneath.
Underneath, a poster was put up with a large picture. Astro recognized the person in the picture as herself. The picture is of her, laughing joyfully in a coffee shop and parts of multiple other people could be seen around her. The text read “MISSING: Astro Manira. Last seen November 23, 2026. If you have any information please contact (414)-842-8501 or 5293 North Rainbow St. Saintland Heights, LA. Appt. Number 23. Or contact the Los Angeles Police Department, If you’re fed like that.”
Astro looked at the paper for a second, analyzing. Well, If I go to the apartment it hopefully (probably) leads me somewhere useful. However, I don’t know what’s there, it could be a trap of some sort Astro reasoned thoughtfully. Honestly though, I don’t really see what choice I have. I don’t have a phone to call the number, and the only goal I have is to get answers. I can’t think of any safer way to get them. Astro tore down the paper and held it in her hand with Dave’s jade rock gift as she started to wander the streets of Saintland Heights.
15 minutes of walking later, Astro finally saw another human leaning up against a wall. A short, but muscular man in shorts and a tank top looked around on the otherwise empty and rundown streetcorner. Astro approached. He saw her approach. “Hey you tryna cop some snow? Only 300 for an eighth” Astro walked up to the man and responded “No, sorry I don’t have any- Wait. 300 for an eighth? Of coke!?” The man looked at her offended. “Hey 300 is a steal of a price! You have no idea what it cost me to get a hookup this good. Tell ya what, 280 for first time customers”
“Ok first off, that’s a fucking scam. Past that, I’m what you would call a broke ass. I don’t have money for snow. Second, I need directions to North Rainbow St.” Astro told the dealer authoritatively. A scolding old ladie’s voice cried out from a nearby house “Norton, I told you nobody’s gonna spend 300 dollars on an eighth of your stupid cut powder!” “MOM, shut UP! I’m trying to do BUSINESS here!” Norton responded in a frustrated tone, putting a scowl on his face. Astro spoke up again to the dealer. “Can you please tell me where North Rainbow St. is?” The dealer put on a tough look and said meanly “I can’t tell you that unless you wanna buy some product!”
“POOKIE!!! Don’t you start with her! Good customer service keeps customers coming back for more! Now you better give her her directions or else i’m NOT giving you any more COCAINE” The voice yelled again, threateningly. Astro had a hard time barely keeping back a laugh. Norton growled and said with an eyeroll “Two blocks down and one to the left” “Thanks, pookie” Astro replied walking away down the street. The voice cried out one more time as Astro walked by the window. “Don’t be afraid to come back if you need directions again, dear! Norton’s just a little troubled!” “MOM!!!!!!!” Norton screamed back into the house, as Astro finally let out a giggle, leaving the property towards the apartment.