Gate to the Strip

Madeline looked out, saw a fortified wall of sheet metal, concrete, and rebar. An entry way was evident, massive gates. There were also a number of robots that seemed to stand sentry outside the large gate an eerie face present in their central core. A few people clad in rags stood around milling about the gate.

She was surprised they hadn't entered. Everyone she met in the wasteland talked about how great the Strip was. She approached cautiously. Then a figure moved toward the gate in a mad dash.

"Halt--Submit to a credit check or present a passport!" the metallic voice came from the awkward looking robot.

The man ran swiftly, determined to get by. With a surprising quickness the robot turned, a firearm jutting from its arm it fired. Joined by another nearby robot the combined fire halted the poor soul before he made it a two dozen feet past the first robot. He hit the ground with a thud as Madeline scrambled for cover behind a pile of rubble. The group of people milling about had barely moved. She pondered their lack of fear. Madeline did not know what was going on.

"What the heck is this about a credit check?" Madeline said to herself as she slowly rose up. She approached the robots cautiously.

The Robot approached her and she held her breath.

"Halt." its voice friendly but firm "Submit to a credit check or present a passport to enter."

"A Credit Check or passport?" Madeline asked worried.

"Yes." The robot said "You must have at least 2000 caps to enter the strip or an approved passport. This prevents undesirables from entering and causing trouble."