章節 21: Isn't This Some Crazy Shit!

Shaun looked out the window but the corvette was nowhere in sight. "What, you hid the car?" His attention then shifted to the Hitech phone in Nick's hand saying, "No matter, I'll just smash your fancy phone. That should be worth about $1000 plus, right?" Instinctively the phone was taken off the table by Nick.

"No, you don't understand. I'm totally broke, or should I say dad will soon have to file for bankruptcy", A dejected Nick unwillingly confessed.

Shaun would not believe for a second. He saw the lifestyle of Reiss's. How could they possibly be poor? "You lie. How on earth is your family broke? Your father owns the most successful business in Frankfield and he is also the Mayor. You take me for a damn fool!"

Nick understood Shaun's disbelief, he too was hard pressed when he heard the news but it was the truth his family was indeed broke. But he knew Shaun, unless there was valid proof he wouldn't stop until he got the $1000 one way or the other. This was a guy that once got some dirt on the Math teacher and extorted his way to an A+ average for two semesters.

Of course, there was no proof but all his classmates knew something was amiss. Even knowing his character still they butted heads because Nick knew he had the protection of his father and uncle. So he took liberties with Shaun in Frankfield but in Lake View City nothing was hindering him.

He then spoke honestly divulging more of his plight, "Of all the persons I would admit this to, how far would you be on the list? Even my corvette was repossessed two weeks ago".

Seeing him still fiddling with the keys Shaun called him out, "So I guess those keys are for that yellow Sedan parked outside?" He responded with satire in his voice. Prompting Nick to press the button on the keys and to Shaun's shock, it was an old 98' Nissan Sunny that beeped. Unsurprisingly, Nick who was usually quite boastful couldn't hide his embarrassment when seeing Shaun take a second to process what he was witnessing.

"I kept the keys as a momentum, and it helps with the ladies. I usually tell them it's in the shop", Nick once more divulged, of all the people he knew, Shaun was indeed the last he thought he would be sharing his troubles.

Shaun: "A real gentleman as always", This he wasn't too surprised to hear. Nick was a certified A-grade asshole who would say anything to get a girl to shed her clothing. But the other stuff drew his intrigue, "How did this happen?" He enquired.

Nick: "It all began two years ago when Pa invested with what he thought at the time was a sure thing. It's not that long ago so you should remember a popular company selling power growth serums?"

This story did sound somewhat familiar, so Shaun tried to remember in detail. At the time such things wouldn't warrant his attention, yet he had vivid revollection seeing on a company named Enzmer Power Corp being on the news daily for months. They were an up-and-coming company who offered quick profits on immediate investment, gaining immediate success. Which wasn't surprising as anything with super in its name was a quick means to a profit. Almost anyone who was anyone invested, and seeing the immediate turnover on their investment most went all in.

One day it was discovered that the serum they were selling had no effects whatsoever on the supergene and their previous tests were backed by forged documents. Its stock plummeted immediately prompting investors to try and recover whatever they could. Many had invested their entire life savings in those ventures. There were even cases where millionaires overnight became homeless because of that one decision.

Shaun: "Damn! That's messed up". It seems the Mayor too fell for the scheme, but prideful as they were and having the status which they did in Frankfield, he could not let the news slip. Still, something did not add up about this whole thing, "There is something I don't understand. If your father is so broke, why did he offer Jamie $50k for our land?"

Having already spilled the family secrets and knowing the cat was out of the bag there was no point in holding back so Nick once more continued, "Ever since your brother consecutive wins in the Fair, Pa is convinced there is something special in the soil at your farm. It was odd that a young farmer was able to topple the greats in his debut and continue the streak years after without something special in the soil. Pa thinks that's the secret behind your brother's prize-winning escapades. So he wants to buy it and mine to uncover this secret. Jamie's refusal to sell only furthered his suspicions".

Hearing the Major's reason, Shaun understood, but having been on the farm he didn't see anything out of the ordinary. The only thing special was the care given by his brother to each crop. He was basically a plant whisperer. Still, the offers came in to buy the land and the Mayor was not the first, but he was by far the most generous. Too bad for him that Jamie would never sell no matter the offer on the table.

He didn't ask how the Mayor could afford to sponsor his first year. As he saw it,compared to the other academies; Clortho's tuition was dirt cheap. That being the case he decided to let the matter rest between him and Nick. There was no way he was going to get that $1000 and with Nick's ego, driving around that beat-up Nissan was punishment enough.

"Well I'll see you around", Shaun readied to get up from the table but saw Nick's expression instantly sink when the doors of the restaurant opened. He looked around to see Nomi had entered but she was not alone. With his arms around her was a muscular man with tattoos on his biceps and one which took up a whole side of his face. His name was Carlos, a notorious gang member of one of the most fearsome gangs in Elvers. Joining them were two other muscled-head goons searching the restaurant as if looking for someone.

"You idiot, of all the women you could have tried stealing, you chose to steal from this thug? Anything to get your little fellow wet huh?" Shaun cursed, it didn't take a genius to see the hole Nick had dug himself. No wonder he was sweating like a pig when he entered.

"I swear she never told me that another man was in the picture. I love women but it doesn't mean I'm going to get my head smashed in for one. Please Shaun help me out!" pleaded Nick.

"Help you out, how the hell am I supposed to do that? Do you see how jacked those guys are? Don't tell me you purposely dragged me into your shit?! You're a real asshole, you know that?" Shaun fumed as everything added up. No wonder Nick was so talkative, he was stalling so Shaun could help him weasel his way out of a sticky situation.

His guilt-ridden expression gave him away as he responded, "It's messed up, but I thought If anyone can bullshit their way out of a situation like this it's you. Besides, this guy is going to kill me. Can you really live with yourself knowing my blood is on your hands?"

Shaun paused before rubbing his chin and thinking about a world without Nick Reiss responding, "That I can live with. See yah, Nick!" He waved to Nick who saw his last hope walk from the table. Shaun quickly walked past the couple tilting his face to the side hoping not to be recognized. As he was about to sigh in sweet relief when exiting the restaurant doors he heard Nomi's voice, "That's his best friend, the one who tried to con me into believing he had money".

'This bitc….!' Shaun screamed in his head knowing he was now fully drawn into Nick's mess. He was about to bolt before, Wam! - The door was shut right in his face. He was so close, yet so far.

He turned around to see his exit was blocked by one of the three muscle-heads, Marcus who grinned fiendishly. Seeing what was about to unfold the other patrons scampered as their exit was unhindered. They were oh too familiar with gang-related matters and knew the best possible role was not to be a witness.

As for Shaun he couldn't help but think in his mind, 'Isn't this some crazy shit? Even when trying to keep out of trouble it goes out of his way to find me'.