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it right."
    I sat back down, the fight draining out of me. "I still can't believe you'd do something like that to me in the first place."
    "I know. It was a mistake. I guess I hoped it would make you change your mind. But maybe it's better if you go. I don't want to hold you back."
    "You're really going to pay the Border Hoppers for me?"
    He gave me a cross look. "I said I would, didn't I?"
    "But what about the condo you've been saving up to buy with that girl of yours? Your fiancée?"
    He stared into the empty pitcher once again. "There is no girl." He sounded ashamed. "I made her up. Brenda is... she's a Skin Musician."
    "Oh." That explained why he never introduced me. You couldn't marry a bawdyhouse sex robot.
    Alejandro waved at the bartender. "Damn it José!"
    José finally came and refilled the pitcher.
    We portioned the beer out in our glasses, drinking quietly. My headache had faded. Guess the ointment Alejandro had applied was working.
    That, or the beer.
    "Come with me," I said.
    I wasn't sure I could do this myself. Despite my heartfelt, determined words, moving to the UC and joining the army was a frightening prospect. Alejandro had been there for me since I was a child. He'd found me on the streets, guided me, acted like the big brother I never had. Sure, sometimes he did a few misguided things, like robbing me for example, but in the end he was really just looking out for me. In his own way.
    Alejandro downed his glass, and refilled it. "I'm not going with you. I'll give you the money, si , but go with you, no."
    "Okay." I finished my own drink, looking away. I didn't want him to see the disappointment on my face. I guess I'd have to do this alone after all.
    "You don't believe me, do you?" Alejandro said.
    "I believe you, Alejandro."
    "Then why don't you sound happy? Caramba . I just said I'd pay your entire Border Hopper fee!"
    I looked at him, and forced a smile. "No. I'm happy."
    "Actually, you know what? I'll throw in double what you had in your account."
    "Why?"
    "Because that's how we do it. I always pay back my debts."
    "I don't know what to say. Thanks bro. I owe you one I guess."
    He smiled, but I could see that his eyes were moist. He looked away. "You don't owe me a thing." I thought he was going to choke up.
    I rested a hand on his shoulder. "Seriously bro, come with me. Leave this sinkhole behind. You know in your heart that the UC isn't all hype and propaganda. You've seen the vids on the Net. And you remember what my Uncle Alek told us, don't you? How the United Countries really is a haven compared to this. Can you imagine, not having to work if you don't want to? Not having to carry a gun around everywhere?"
    Alejandro wiped his eyes. "We just agreed that you'd have to join the military. So yes, you'll work. And yes, you'll carry a gun."
    "Well sure, but I meant the civilians. They don't have to get jobs. They aren't allowed weapons. Think about what that must be like. To walk the streets and not worry about where your next meal is going to come from. To sit in the park and not worry about getting shot in the back, or hit by a two-by-four. That's living, bro. That's freedom. Not like here." I finished my beer and slammed the glass upside-down on the countertop. "Come with me."
    "I had someone rob you this morning, and you still want me to come with you." Alejandro laughed, like I'd just told him the funniest joke. "I'm not going with you. And that's that."
     

CHAPTER TWO
     
    Alejandro came with me.
    He said it was because he'd changed his mind, and wanted to ensure he got the money above and beyond what he owed me back, with full interest. But I didn't believe it. He'd always been there for me, and I think he felt it was his duty to come. And while he wanted to look out for me, I'm sure he also wanted a change just as badly as I did, despite all his fervent declarations to the contrary. Who could resist the promise of a better life? That's what made people immigrate, wasn't it? Or border hop,