Chapter 9

Once away from the reception, I zigzag through the corridors, observing the flow of nurses that increases as time drags. Penelope is fighting kicks and slaps with a vending machine on the first floor, and she doesn't realize that I'm by her side until she fights around and bumps into me.

"Do you think this ridiculous machine stole five dollars from me? "She pushes back one of the loose strands of her hair, and with the other hand recovers from the bag a metallic canteen where she always keeps her Whisky. "How can I baptize my soda if I don't have a soda?”

The machine plays a high-pitched sound when she kicks it again. The panel lights up, but nothing falls through the opening. Snorted, Penelope throws her head back and pours a generous amount of the liquid into her hands. The burning smell of the drink suddenly makes me dizzy.

"This seems to be the night of problems,” I grumble, laying my head on the pilaster next to it.

Penelope studies me with a lying look and ret