Capítulo 5: Chapter 5: Unworthy of Being Human
Max was not stupid. Looking at Harris and Martin, and thinking of the actions of that obnoxious bear Martin dressed up as, it was not hard to come to a conclusion: "You framed me?"
He said sternly, "This is extortion. Kid, you're in trouble!"
"You hit someone and want to deny it?" Martin naturally did not admit it. Instead, he picked up his phone, dialed 911, and earnestly asked Harris, "Do you need me to call the police?"
Max's demeanor lost any trace of gentleness. "You messed with the wrong person, you're doomed!"
Martin seemed not to hear and muttered to himself, "Driving under the influence causing serious injury, I remember a case in our community. That unlucky guy lost everything and then got sentenced for... how many years?"
Max stepped back and leaned against the car.
Martin mumbled, "We have a ready-made case today, we'll find out soon."
Harris cooperated enthusiastically, "Driving under the influence, oh my god, that's wonderful! My chance of a big gain is 100%!" He added improvisation, "That videotape, it must be sold to me! I'll pay $1,000!"
Max stared at Martin, as if seeing a venomous snake.
Martin said, "Mr. Max, you are an excellent husband, a loving father with a beautiful wife and adorable children. They must see you as their pillar and hero. I particularly admire you, and I cannot let you get involved in a criminal case."
"You son of a bitch!" Max cursed angrily, "You are despicable and are unworthy of being human!"
Martin did not get angry, "I'm a good citizen. Reporting this and handing over the tape might even earn me a Marietta Honorary Citizen Medal."
Max was gradually losing his composure, "Don't make yourself sound so noble, you slum-dwelling reptile! I know it's about money. Name a price and hand over the tape."
One must be accountable for their words, so Martin decided to raise the price on the spot, "Five thousand dollars."
"Kid, are you crazy?" Max pointed at him and said, "The fine for reporting it is also just $5,000!"
Rather than refuse, Martin sensed Max was about to break and raised the stakes again, "My new boss has a journalist friend. If I report it, Channel Three, which focuses on Atlanta's community news, will soon get a copy."
He pointed at Harris, "I don't understand the law, Mr. Max. Will you need to post bail and hire a lawyer? Free lawyers from the ATL Legal Aid Society will take months to respond."
Max's head almost fumed.
Martin pressed his advantage, "You might even go to jail. If the sentence is long, will your beautiful wife divorce you? Will she take your property and find a new boyfriend? That seems good too, someone to protect your wife and raise your children..."
"Enough! Shut your filthy mouth!" Max kicked the Cadillac's wheel, "Martin Davis, you're viciously unworthy of being human!"
He took out a pen and checkbook from the car, "Three thousand dollars! Only three thousand! Ask for a penny more, and I'll fight you to the end! And bring back that damn videotape."
Martin needed time for Elena to make a copy of the tape, so he took the three $1,000 checks and said, "I'm broke; I've never seen such a large check. You accompany me to the bank for a transfer, and I'll give you the tape right after. There's a Bank of America nearby."
Max said viciously, "No tricks!"
Martin replied, "Honesty is my principle."
After crossing the intersection, they found a bank branch about a thousand meters away. Harris got up, ignored his bicycle, and followed Martin on foot.
Max moved the broken bicycle, got in his car, and followed.
Holding the large check, Harris forgot the pain in his broken arm and couldn't help but say, "How was my performance? Eighty percent chance of winning Best Actor at a film festival."
Martin rejected directly, "Too exaggerated, superficial." He took out his phone and called Elena, "Is the video okay? Good! Bring the original tape to Bank of America."
At the bank branch, Martin and Harris opened their own accounts. Midway, Martin went out and brought back a camcorder.
Once the check was transferred, in the bank's waiting area, Max watched the recorded video on the small LCD screen of the camcorder, then took out the tape and put it in his bag.
The video precisely captured the bicycle entering the frame and being hit by the Cadillac.
The angle was clearly chosen.
Max asked, "Were any copies made?"
Martin took back the camcorder and pretended surprise, "This thing can make copies?"
Max scrutinized him but didn't notice anything off and stood up, "Don't let me see you guys again."
Martin said, "Don't worry, I don't want to see you either."
Max left the bank branch, got in his car, and slapped the steering wheel hard, "Damn it!"
Those two bastards would pay for this sooner or later.
The Cadillac started and drove into a secluded path. Max got out, pulled the tape out of the cassette, and burned it with a lighter until it turned to ash.
Starting tomorrow, he would temporarily hire a driver to avoid a second incident.
Considering that bastard's lack of shame, he would definitely do it again.
Martin and Harris each took some small change and got credit cards, then went outside and got in the car.
Elena asked, "Don't your legs and arms hurt anymore?"
After closing the co-pilot door, Martin said, "I've realized that being broke makes your legs hurt. But with money, damn, you feel great."
Harris, lying in the back seat, now feeling the pain subsiding somewhat, urged, "Take me to the hospital quickly, I'm dying of pain."
Elena started the car, "A car couldn't kill you, idiot. This little injury won't be fatal."
Passing the accident site, the bicycle was gone.
The three of them didn't care at all. That bike was a wreck save for the bell; in their eyes, it was now garbage.
With money, they could treat Harris' arm without going to Bill the vet.
Elena suddenly had an idea, "Since it's so hard to break an arm, why not do it again? There are plenty of junkies."
Harris protested, "My chance of dying would be 99%!"
Martin had already considered it, "Max has a happy family with two kids. He doesn't want to be a criminal. What if we meet a hothead next time? What if he shoots Harris' head?"
Elena focused on driving and said no more.
At the hospital, Martin accompanied Harris for treatment, while Elena went to return the car and the teddy bear.
Martin asked, "Whose car?"
Elena answered, "Monica's, she's nice."
Martin whispered, "Remember to fill up the tank."
Elena stared at him for a while, "Did your stupid brain finally get smart?"
When Martin saw Harris coming out of the CT room, he hurried over.
Harris was not too badly injured and did not require surgery with metal plates. After the doctor set the bone and put on a cast, he would need medication and rest.
When they left the hospital, back came Elena with a suggestion, "Let's celebrate tonight."
"Celebrate an idiot breaking his arm? I'm in!" Martin generously said, "It's on me, let's go buy some beer!"
With his arm in a sling, Harris followed, "I want funnel cake and a Monte Cristo sandwich!"
Elena was very happy, "A rare treat from a poor guy, I want sweet water beer and oxtail stew!"
The three of them went on a shopping spree at a roadside restaurant and convenience store, planning to celebrate wildly.
*****
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