“Hey Rob, is my new toy ready?” Zoe asked as she started up her Triple Black. Zoe had decided to call the firearms dealer at the urging of her coworkers after she spilled the beans about taking 10000 credits from the purity church.

“Yeah. Would you prefer a hip, shoulder, inside the waistband, outside the waistband, thigh, or belly band holster?” the Guns R Us manager asked.

“I have no idea,” Zoe replied as she started driving towards the gun shop. “I never knew there were so many types of holsters to choose from.”

“That’s fine,” Rob laughed. “I’ll get you to try a few to see which is the most comfortable for you when you get here.”

“Alright,” Zoe said. “I should be there in about 15 minutes.”

“Good. Oh, I almost forgot. We just got in a new shipment of P750s that are chrome and stainless-steel models. Chrome is 300 credits more while stainless is 150 more,” Rob said grinning. “I’m sending you pictures.”

“I’m driving!”

“Put it on auto,” Rob quipped.

“Fine,” Zoe grumbled. She quickly checked out the pictures. She had to admit the gun was prettier chromed out or in stainless. “I’ll think about it.”

“Ha! I knew it,” Rob smugly replied.

“Yeah, yeah. See you in a few minutes,” Zoe said and disconnected the call.

*

“What’s the difference between the finishes?” Zoe asked Rob as she looked over the three different P750s he was showing her. Rob briefly explained the differences between gun finishes.

Zoe opted for the stainless-steel variant. The whole gun was stainless except the composite grip pads and magazines. They were black and gave the gun just the right amount of color in Zoe’s opinion. Though she was no expert. The chrome was prettier, and Rob advised the best overall finish, but Zoe didn’t think it was worth the extra credits.

“Alright. Do you want to buy the larger caliber magazines as well or just stick with the 9mm?” Rob asked.

“I’ll stick with the 9mm for now. I’m sure I’ll be extremely nervous if I ever pull the gun on someone so, I think having 15 bullets in a magazine would be better for now,” Zoe answered.

“Going up to 10mm would give you 12 round clips and more stopping power, but you’re going the nonlethal route anyway, so 9mm will do just as good as 10mm or 40cal will in my opinion,” Rob said.

“Really?” Zoe asked. The dwarf nodded. “Then why is the P750 modular?”

“Again, that is just my opinion. But truthfully, I think it’s just a sales gimmick. I’m the sort that thinks if you’re going to shoot someone, shoot to kill,” Rob replied. “That said, the larger size nonlethal ammo does carry slightly more of the tranquilizer, gas, or electricity in them than 9mm does.”

“But not a lot?” Zoe asked. The dwarf shook his head. “Well, in that case more rounds hitting whoever will be just as effective.”

“There is that” Rob agreed. “Willy, bring over those holsters I set aside.”

“Coming boss,” one of the clerks said. Willy was a younger dwarf and checked Zoe out. Zoe shook her head. The young man had the grace to blush. “Couldn’t help myself. Sorry.”

“Thank you,” Rob said shaking his head. “Didn’t I tell you to be more discrete when checking out the customers?”

“You’re just teasing him now,” Zoe laughed.

“I’ll get him back later,” Willy promised. He held up one holster. “I would recommend this hip hugging belly holster.”

“Why is that?” Zoe asked. Willy looked to Rob before answering. The manager nodded.

“It has four pockets for your gun and can carry two extra magazines too,” Willy said. He unfolded the holster, which was basically a 5” wide black strap with purple trim and laid it on the counter. Willy pointed out the pockets. “These two are canted so the gun rests at an angle making it easier to withdraw. The other two are straight so the gun points down.”

“For left and right-handed people too,” Rob said. “Try it on over your clothes.”

“It would usually sit under whatever you’re wearing,” Willy added as Zoe picked up the holster.

“Thanks Willy,” Rob said. Zoe quickly figured out how to close the holster and put it on.

“Neat,” Zoe said as the holster adjusted to her size. She picked up the P750 she had picked out and placed it in the right-handed down pocket.

“There is no front or back, so you can slide it around to where it’s comfortable,” Rob said.

“If you prefer a small of the back carry, use the canted pockets,” Willy added.

“Thanks guys,” Zoe said. She took of her jacket and laid it on the counter before doing as they advised.

“Oh, that’s nice,” Willy said as Zoe turned the holster around, so the gun rested on the right side of the small of her back. Zoe spun around so the men couldn’t see her backside anymore.

“That’s enough from you,” Rob said smacking Willy in the back of the head. “Go help other customers.”

“I’d also suggest getting a folding pocketknife,” Willy said as he walked away rubbing his head.

“Thanks Willy!” Zoe called to the dwarf’s retreating back. He waved and kept going. She put two empty magazines in the pocket for them.

“He’s not a bad lad, just a bit…girl crazy,” Rob said. “Especially when they’re not much taller than we are.”

“It’s alright,” Zoe replied. “You were looking just as much as he was.”

“True,” Rob admitted with a shrug of his shoulders.

“I like this. Could I try it under my clothes?” Zoe inquired.

“Yeah. The lady’s room is to your right,” Rob replied.

Zoe emerged from the lady’s room a few minutes later. “I want this holster. I don’t have to take it back off, do I?”

“No,” Rob laughed. “Return the P750 and clips though.”

“Right. Can we fill the magazines with ammo?”

“Yeah. Just don’t chamber a round in the store after we pair it with your system, alright?” Rob replied.

“Sure.”

“Willy did have a good point about carrying a blade. Knives are one of the oldest and most useful tools mankind has ever invented,” Rob said.

“I need to pay and get on the road. Do you have something in mind?”

“I do,” Rob said pulling a box from below the counter. He opened it and took a knife out of a small bag. “This is a Kimber-Springfield K555 Mini. It’s a 2.91-inch sheepsfoot style blade with a satin finish made from S30V steel. The handle is a similar compost material as the grips on your P750.”

Zoe picked took the knife. She noticed it had a whole at the top of the blade and a sliding button looking thing in the handle. Zoe put her thumb on the hole and pushed. The knife opened. The blade had a slight curve on the cutting side. The other side where the hole was sloped towards the blade’s point.

“What’s this button looking thing?” Zoe asked. “Isn’t Kimber-Springfield a gun manufacturer?”

“That is the lock. It slides back so you can close the knife,” Rob answered. Zoe did so. “They are, but they bought the Oregon based company that originally designed the knife years ago.”

“Ah. It seems to fit my hand well,” Zoe said. Rob nodded. “I don’t know much about knives other than they cut and are sharp, but I’ll take it depending on price.”

“I’ll let you have it for 75 credits. Those are normally 120,” Rob said.

“Alright. Add it to my collection,” Zoe said.

“Do you want a lockbox?” Rob asked.

“How much?”

“100 credits and it comes with biometric and frame locks,” Rob answered. “The one we sell is big enough to use as a safe for a few other small items too.”

“Can you have it delivered for me?” Zoe asked.

“I’ll do that free of charge with one of our drones. I’ll also send your ammo and boxes,” Rob answered.

“Alright. Let me pay you before you find something else to sell me,” Zoe said. “Then you can show me how to load the magazines.”

*

“Hey Aunt Anne,” Zoe said after spending 2400 credits including tax on her handgun and supplies. She was on her way to Brighton Beach to pick up the data Claire wanted.

“Hey Zoe. Working late tonight too?” Anne asked.

“Maybe. I’m not sure yet,” Zoe answered. She explained about picking up Doc Brown’s data and the Guns R Us drone delivery.

“That’s fine. I’m home,” Anne said. “I do want to know how you got the credits for this gun though.”

“I’ll explain later. I promise,” Zoe said. “I also want to talk to you about this place I found that I’m going to move into.”

“I should have known it would be just a matter of time before you wanted to move out,” Anne said.

“It’s not so much wanting to move out,” Zoe started.

“As it is not wanting to depend on family or others,” Anne finished.

“Exactly.”

“I understand. We’ll talk when you get home,” Anne said.

“Ok. Got to run. I’m pulling up to the restaurant now,” Zoe said.

“Be careful.”

“I’ll try my best,” Zoe promised.