“Better than eating the lizard dogs in the east end, Chu. Besides, I like your food,” Marion stated, handing him some credits as he passed her a beautifully cooked hot dog in a bun, dripping with ketchup and mustard and topped with onions.
“Well I’m glad you appreciate our cooking, Marion. You still sing at the Friar’s?” Chu asked and Marion nodded.
“Every night," she replied and Chu smiled thoughtfully.
“You go girl!” he said and Marion waved goodbye, turning away and continuing down the street as she ate her hot dog.
The towering skyscrapers climbed high into the sky and in the night they were lit up like Christmas trees. The streets were loud with impressive advertising that popped out of the buildings in beautiful colour – a spectacle of light and sound that would cause even the busiest pedestrians to often stop what they were doing and glance upward, watching as holographic robots fought or alluring naked women danced seductively. Sex wasn’t considered taboo or risquè on Sherwood; in fact, prostitution was both an acceptable employment and an exibitable art. The red light district of Sherwood attracted billions of people and was a well known area for those who wanted to relax, let loose and unwind. Sex workers in leathers and lingerie lined the streets, blowing kisses to pedestrians and none of them were ever accosted or arrested in the red light district. The sex trade registration act of 2314 had seen to that. Now in 2354, sex workers were considered as respectable as those that worked on the stock market.
Marion lived in the red light district above a strip club. The rent was cheap, mostly because of the neon red signs that shined through her window but also because of the noisy streets, loud punk music and sex noises that came from the floors below her. She’d been offered work in the club several times, she did after all have an amazing body; but Marion was a singer, and her heart had been stolen by another.
Marion went up the spiral staircase outside her building and jiggled her keys in the hand that wasn’t holding her hot dog. She opened the door and stepped inside her red-lit apartment.
The apartment was simply furnished with a bed, a sofa, a holographic television, walk in closet and a bathroom and kitchen. She had brick walls that were lined with posters of old movies and punk bands and her bed was covered in plush toys and cushions. She flipped on the television with a tiny remote and a porno popped on, although it seemed more like a soap opera. A lot of tv shows seemed pornographic, but the stories were extremely well written. Marion yawned changing the channel and watching as a news story came on. The news reader was reporting about a series of thefts in Sherwood City. Marion continued eating her hot dog as she grabbed a beer from the fridge and fell onto her sofa, the red light shining into the apartment from outside her window not phasing her at all. She listened to the news as she ate and drank.
“Seven of the most wealthy people in this city have claimed to have been robbed by a man in a green outfit and hood, who goes by the name ‘Robin Hood’. Now this is an unusual story... we have been seeing a rise in crime lately that is unprecedented when compared to previous years. The Sherwood Police force have been ordered by the Sherriff of Nottingham to kill this man on sight by order of the king. If anyone sees or hears anything about the whereabouts of this Robin Hood, it’s imperative that you contact the police immediately,” the news reader said. Marion glared at the holographic tv set, her lips forming a cheeky smile.
“WHAT the hell are you up to, Robin?” she asked aloud and taking another bite of her hot dog. She finished her meal, flipped off the television and walked over to her bed, stepping out of her pants and falling backward into a pile of pillows.
She thought of him, gently touching herself as loud music played through her window from outside. She moaned loud and unashamedly, bringing herself to a quick climax as the music pounded. Marion let out a final whimper of satisfaction, her eyes rolling back and her lips parting as she came again, the music outside coming to the end of the song. Marion lay back in the bed on her chest, her buttocks exposed and lit by the red of the outside neon. She would dream of Robin again, she knew she would. Just like she knew that one day very soon, she would see him again.
Chapter six: The Army of Nottingham Castle
Deep below the catacombs of the great castle of Nottingham in the very centre of the city, the Sheriff walked down a long great tunnel. The caves were like a great hive, intricate tunnels burrowed into the rock connecting to a central chamber.
Robert DuCree, who was in his late sixties, became the sheriff several years ago, but it was his dedication to the job and intolerance for the poor that had ultimately won the king over in the first place. As sheriff, his job was to carry out all of the reclusive King’s orders, including collecting rent and taxes as well as taking charge of all matters regarding law and punishment. He was viewed as an imposing figure, despite his seemingly scrawny appearence, but it was his eyes that truly drove fear into the hearts of men – his gaze was cold and lifeless. He was always seen draped in robes of black, a mane of long, black hair often hanging over most of his face. Rumour had it that he was mad, but the truth was
