"What else were you waiting for, New Year's?"
"I thought your dates with your girlfriends were more important."
Despite his words, Johnny still moved his mechanical legs and climbed into the elevator.
"Yeah, you cost me my dates, so you owe me one, Johnny."
It had been a while since his last visit.
But the Afterlife was still the Afterlife.
Nothing much had changed.
If anything had, it was the punks hanging around the entrance, whom Emmerich refused to let inside. One batch had replaced another.
Most of the punks knew the Afterlife's rules.
Once Emmerich turned them away, they obediently left.
Or they stayed outside the entrance, watching the action to kill time.
But there were always a few who refused to learn and wanted to test their fighting skills.
Then Emmerich would put them on the ground with a few effortless punches and kicks, leaving them unable to get up for ages.
"Hey, Emmerich. Still as lively as ever."
A voice suddenly rang out.
Emmerich and the punks hanging around nearby turned to look.
When he saw Su Xiao coming down from above in a white trench coat, a hint of a smile appeared on Emmerich's eternally unchanging face, which normally looked no different from a living fossil.
"Been a while, Su."
"I've been swamped."
"Here for a drink, or looking for Rogue? If it's Rogue, I'd suggest getting a drink from Claire first. Rogue's a little busy right now. She might not have time."
"No problem. I'll grab something to drink first."
Emmerich glanced down at Johnny Silverhand, who was following at Su Xiao's feet.
"That little robot yours too?"
"Yeah. The Afterlife doesn't have a 'no robots or dogs allowed' rule, does it?"
"No, it doesn't. As long as he's yours. Go on in."
The