[Chapter 2: Los Angeles Slums]
The two left the apartment, chatting as they walked.
"Zach, I heard the security here isn't great, why not find a better apartment?"
"Well, Boy, you have to understand your guardian is still broke. I have my lawyer license now, but unfortunately, I haven't made any money yet. Once I do, we'll definitely move somewhere nicer.
Besides, the security here is actually okay. Look, it's mostly minorities here; they look out for each other."
"Alright, I hope you can make money soon."
John Leighton had suggested using his own money first, but Zach firmly refused.
...
"Bang..." As the two stepped out of the elevator heading toward the apartment entrance, gunshots suddenly rang out.
"Go... take cover!"
"Oh my god, Zach, is this the 'okay security' you talked about?" John Leighton looked at Zach, who pulled him to hide in the lobby.
"Hey, pretty boy, actually inside the apartment you're safe, don't worry," said the portly receptionist with a cheerful smile.
John Leighton just rolled his eyes.
...
As the gunfire quieted down and police sirens approached, John knew the shootout was over for the moment. It was safe for now since the cops had arrived.
"Damn Mexican gangsters are fighting again. Boy, honestly, this is how LA's security always has been. We can't go to the wealthy neighborhoods; we just have to deal with this," Zach said, standing and smiling at John.
"Mexican? Is it gang turf wars?"
"Sort of, but you're better off not knowing all the details. Once I make money, we'll move ASAP," Zach said optimistically.
"Alright, Zach, better make that money fast. I don't want to spend a second longer in this dump," John complained.
...
Outside the apartment, the smell of gunpowder still lingered. On the streets nearby, some Mexican-Americans and a few homeless people were wandering about.
"John, since we're staying here for now, you need to be careful. Don't go out at night, and during the day stick to main roads. Also, avoid those Mexican-Americans and African-Americans around here if you can."
"African-Americans, huh? That includes you too? Looks like I better keep my distance from you," John joked with Zach.
"Hey Boy, that joke's not funny at all. Come on, the McDonald's here is pretty decent."
"Zach, after we eat, take me to the supermarket. I want to buy some groceries."
"Oh, you can cook food?"
"Of course, for a genius like me, nothing's too hard," John boasted, pointing at himself.
Actually, in his past life, he had developed decent cooking skills. Being a bachelor, he had to learn to cook himself.
"Alright, hope you really are a cooking genius."
...
After the meal, Zach took John to the supermarket where they bought some food.
Back at the apartment, they greeted the chubby receptionist before heading upstairs. The apartment was actually pretty decent, surrounded by stores for daily needs and convenient transportation.
"Zach, I saw there's an internet place near the apartment. Can I go there?"
John hadn't used a computer in a long time. He was used to the convenience of the internet in the future world, and this dull new life was tough. That was one reason he wanted out of the orphanage.
"But you're not 16 yet... well, I'll take you. I'll also hang out online."
"I'm not an adult, can I even use the internet?"
"Don't worry, with me, lawyer Zach, around, nothing's a problem."
...
Then they left the apartment again, heading to the internet cafe across the street. They entered a dimly lit hallway, went upstairs to the second floor, and saw a room with just 30 or 40 computers, just like some of the dark cafes from his past life.
There were internet cafes in America, but very few, mostly minority-owned. Computers were cheap, only a few hundred dollars, so even poor people might just buy one instead of going to cafes.
"Hey Zach, what have you been up to? Haven't seen you in a while," said a middle-aged Asian-looking man around 40.
"Hi Mike, busy with work lately. Can you open two computers for us?" Zach greeted him and then pointed to John.
"Alright, Zach," the man smiled.
Seeing Zach and Mike were familiar with each other, John learned Zach had helped Mike with some legal troubles before.
...
After turning on the computer, logging in, John saw the familiar yet strange hardware and software. It brought back nostalgic memories.
To him, it was an antique Microsoft Windows 3 operating system with mouse, keyboard, and monitor. (Windows 95 wasn't out yet; actually, Windows 3 versions in 1994 had some features like 95.)
Opening Netscape Navigator on the desktop, he saw a link named "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web." When he saw that, John Leighton was stunned.
From his future knowledge, this was Yahoo's predecessor.
Seeing Netscape and Yahoo stirred some new ideas in John Leighton's mind.
*****
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