'Well, to me, just knowing. So how long do you have until you, well, die?' asked Dora.
'It varies. I've seen badly bitten people, like Marge, die in six hours or so. I know of a couple of single bit people, like me, who are still wandering around okay.'
'But no one has lived through it?'
'The doctors don't know. But yeah, so far as they can tell, no one lives through it. It is some kind of virus, they think, like a super flu with a one hundred percent mortality rate.'
'What are you doing out here then?' asked Paige.
'It was my idea, we got overwhelmed, almost, the first day of shooting on the outskirts. All of us came away with bites, those two', Ned pointed at the guardsmen outside, 'were at our aid station. I bounced the idea of continuing to report off the station as a public service. They decided to come along, instead of going back to die with their families. It has worked out okay. I think we are doing some good.'
Ned's right front pocket started shaking, he pawed at it and pulled out a phone, 'It's the station, I am going to take this, so hold any other questions for a moment, or ask Jeremy or Cameron.' Ned stepped back through the patio doors.
'So you are crazy too?' Dora asked them after Ned ducked out.
Cameron spoke, 'No worse than you Dora. You're out of your mind to stay here.'
Dora shrugged, 'Better to die here than to run and then die tired somewhere else.'
The two crew and Alex laughed, the others did not. 'I couldn't do that in front of my wife and kids, I just couldn't. I sent her a text, told her I loved her, but I wasn't going to make it. Then I tossed my phone out the window as we drove.'
'Oh, how mellow fucking dramatic!' Dora said, 'Still I see your point. So you think Marge has only a few hours left?'
Cameron looked over at her, 'If that, look at all the bandages on her, she lost blood too, so she is weaker, I give her two hours.'
'We could start a pool.' Dora said seriously, 'But what to bet? Money is worthless now.'
'Dora!' Paige said, her eyebrows squinted down in anger. Mary said nothing, but made the sign of the cross in front of herself.
'What? I mean I would let Marge in on it, she'd be a part of the whole thing.'
'Part of what?' came Marge's voice from across the room. 'Are you talking bad about me again?'
'Yes she is, your supposed friend wants…wants to start a pool for when you pass on!' said Mary, her voice quiet with anger.
Marge propped herself up on her good elbow, shrugged, looked at her watch and said, 'Anyone have eleven yet?'
Dora laughed, throwing her head back like a cartoon mule, 'No! No dear, no one has eleven yet, you want that time?'
'Yeah, put me down for eleven, what's the bet?'
'We haven't figured that out yet.' said Dora, going over to her friend.
Thinking for another moment, Marge's face suddenly lit up, 'I know what I want, if I win you just push me out the door and don't kill me. That work?'
'Um, I don't know Marge, you might kill someone else…' Dora began.
Marge looked at her, 'If I am lucky it will be you or Roger. C'mon, what is the point of a bet if it doesn't mean risk?'
'Oh fine! I suppose I can agree to that. But what do I win?'
'You get to kill Roger the next time you see him?'
'Nah too easy, and I probably will anyway. I get to pretend I am divorced?'
'No, again, too easy and if you are not already then you are stupid. The old Dora I know was a bitch, a naive bitch, but not a stupid bitch. Let's think about it for a bit and get the others to bet too. Fifteen minute increments to the pool? Whoever is closest wins?'
'Deal.' said Dora, holding out and then shaking Marge's hand with her own.
Cameron turned to Jeremy, 'I want ten forty five.'
'Eleven fifteen then.' Jeremy answered.
'What in God's name is wrong with you people?' asked Mary. Peter cringed away from his mother and Alex looked at her with amazement on his face. 'You are betting on when this woman dies! That is wrong! That is… evil!'
'Now, now Mary, doesn't the bible say something about 'judging not, lest ye are judged yourself'? Don't worry about us, or do worry and just pray for us.'
'Your mocking will be paid for when you stand before Saint Peter trying to get into heaven.' Mary said.
'Agreed. Any other takers on times? I am taking ten, you always did overestimate your abilities Marge, and if you win you will at least have an hour to gloat about how wrong I was.'
'Why Dora, I believe that is as nice as you have been to me in a long time. I vow to live until noon now, so I can make you suffer the whole time.'
'And you thought I hadn't forgiven you.'
'I'll take noon then.' said Alex.
'Alex! You too!' Mary said, her voice raised a couple octaves.
'You can use me as a bad example for my son.' he replied.
'Fine, I will take eleven thirty.' said Mike, bringing a snort from Paige.
'Paige, dear…what have I told you about the snorting. It is very un-lady like, and frankly just nasty, even in men.' said Dora.
'That is a woman?' asked Marge, then laughed, 'I thought he, uh, she was a trucker or something.'
'Fine, fuck you both, I will take ten thirty. Winner gets to decide what they get.' said Paige.
'I am taking the thirty aught six if I win.' muttered Mike.
'Only out of my cold, dead hands Mikey dear, or we might work out a payment plan if you must have it.' Leaning closer to Marge, Dora whispered loudly, 'He is infatuated with me, can hardly keep his hands off me when we are alone.'
Mike blushed and shook his head from side to side as Mary looked back and forth between the two of them.
'Do not speak like this in front of my son!' Mary said.
'What? For Heaven's sake why not? You're a doctor, you think he hasn't figured out what his twig and berries are for yet?' asked Dora.
'Twig….Stop! I mean it! This is not appropriate conversation for a twelve year old.'
'I'm thirteen.' Peter said softly.
'See? Thirteen, besides Mary, him and Paige already have something going. What happened to 'hos before Bros' and all that?'
Mary turned and picked up the shotgun, she twirled around and pointed the barrel at Dora. 'I said 'stop'. You will respect my wishes.'
Alex and Peter were on either side of Dora. Alex made a slight movement and Mary stepped closer to Peter and the barrel of the gun wavered towards her him. 'Stop. I mean it, we will have some rules and we are going to set those up now, not later.'
'Oh Dora, you stepped in it this time.' said Marge.
'Don't worry. She is a doctor shooting me would be against her oath. Plus she is religious, that whole get into heaven speech and all means something to her. Right, Mary?' Dora said standing up to face the woman.
'Mocking! Again mocking!' Mary said pointing the gun downward but in Dora's general direction. Behind her Jeremy slipped a pistol out of his waist band, the others, outside seemed to realize something was up, all of them stopped speaking and looking into the house as Mary continued yelling. 'This is the end of days! God is already judging us! You should not mock me or him!' The shotgun blast in the confines of the house was deafening.
