Jack scratched the back of his head, then jabbed the stimulant injector into his abdomen.
Within seconds, he could feel his organs roaring to life.
His heart began pounding, adrenaline flooding his veins.
His face flushed bright red, giving him a look of... excitement.
Now, any half-decent doctor in Night City would've known this was just the effects of a cheap adrenaline shot.
But security guards weren't doctors.
And besides — no cyberpsycho in his right mind would start trouble in Westbrook's North Oak area.
Causing trouble here was basically buying a VIP ticket straight to hell.
Arthur glanced back at Jack's flushed, dazed expression and nodded in satisfaction.
Good.
He looked just like a "young girl" on her way to an intimate meeting with a "big star."
Well...
A very large, very muscly "young girl" who could probably bench-press a truck.
But details didn't matter.
Arthur wasn't worried about Kerry Eurodyne's actual preferences — even if Kerry didn't go for this "type," security probably wouldn't dare call to double-check.
Arthur slowly pulled the car to a stop at the checkpoint, rolling down his window casually.
"Hey fellas, still working hard even at noon?
Come on, have a smoke."
Arthur flashed a charming smile and tossed over a pack of cigarettes.
They were a high-end brand — a luxury he wouldn't normally touch, but Takuma Kuzi had practically shoved them into his hand earlier, and they came in handy now.
One of the security guards eyed Arthur warily, then, seeing the cigarettes, visibly relaxed and accepted the pack without hesitation.
Smooth.
In Night City, "small favors" like this were as common as breathing.
You didn't survive here by living on your official paycheck alone.
"What's your name?" the guard asked, stuffing the cigarettes into his pocket.
"I don't think I've seen you around. And why you bringing visitors at noon?"
Arthur grinned, leaning one arm casually out the window.
"Name's Tuo Wo Kuzi.
I was just hired on — filling in for one of the guys who got banged up by the Sixth Street gang.
Poor bastard's in the hospital now, getting himself a shiny new... upgrade."
The security guard winced instinctively at Arthur's meaning.
He crossed his legs unconsciously, and even the NCPD officer loitering nearby twisted his mouth in sympathy.
Nobody needed the details spelled out.
"Man," the guard muttered, rubbing the back of his head.
"You people have it rough."
He chuckled awkwardly, but his hand still hovered near his holster, just in case.
At least the professional habit was there — no wonder this was a high-end district.
Still, even Night City's best security guards weren't there to fight.
Their job was to look official, call for backup, and not die unnecessarily.
"You're lucky," Arthur said, still smiling.
"You don't gotta roll the dice every time you clock in."
The guard chuckled. "Guess so.
Alright, buddy. Standard procedure — step out of the car. Gotta check your... goods."
Arthur's face stiffened slightly.
Shit.
He knew it might come to this — but he had been hoping the cigarettes would grease the wheels a little more.
He stepped out of the car and casually pulled the guard aside, lowering his voice.
"Hey... you sure you wanna check?" Arthur asked meaningfully.
"I mean, it's fine by me, but... I'm not sure you're ready for it."
The guard's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
He thought Arthur was trying to dodge the inspection, maybe because he was smuggling something extra spicy.
This was not the first time a low-level thug had tried to bribe him into "looking the other way."
The guard puffed up his chest.
"Listen, buddy — been working here for years. I've seen everything.
Whatever freaky shit you're hiding in there, I'm ready for it."
Arthur sighed, a little regretfully.
"Alright then. Don't say I didn't warn you."
The guard rubbed his hands gleefully and strutted over to the passenger side.
As he reached for the door handle, his face was practically drooling excitement.
"Squeak—"
The door opened, and inside... he saw her.
Jack, crammed into a tight, pink frilly dress.
The fabric stretched desperately across his bulging muscles, threatening to snap with every breath.
His massive frame barely fit into the seat.
His face was a weird combination of bright blush, stiff nerves, and a dazed, sultry look — courtesy of the adrenaline shot.
He looked like the world's most jacked, most terrifying "schoolgirl."
The security guard froze.
It was like he'd been hit with a petrification spell.
His eager grin cracked.
His outstretched hand trembled.
His pupils shrank to dots.
Five seconds of silence.
Arthur watched the scene unfold, barely holding back his laughter.
Jack, meanwhile, blinked innocently at the guard, giving him his best "bashful beauty" impression — which, in reality, looked more like a heavyweight boxer trying to flirt.
The security guard staggered backward a step, clutching his heart like he'd just been punched.
Arthur helpfully patted him on the shoulder.
"I told you," he said, solemnly.
"You weren't ready."
[End of Chapter 55 – I'm Afraid You Won't Be Able to Accept It!]