The Vicious One Doesn't Deserve to Be Human

Chapter 5 The Vicious One Doesn't Deserve to Be Human

Max wasn't stupid. Looking at Harris, then at Martin, and recalling the lewd actions of the bear Martin was dressed as, it wasn't hard to come to the conclusion: "You've framed me?"

He said sternly, "This is extortion, kid. You're in trouble!"

"You hit someone and you're trying to deny it?" Martin, of course, wouldn't admit it. Instead, he picked up his phone, dialed 911, and asked Harris in a serious tone, "Do you need me to call the police?"

Max's expression had lost all its gentleness: "You've messed with the wrong person. You're dead!"

Martin seemed not to hear, muttering to himself, "Drug driving causing serious injury, I remember a case in the community, that unlucky guy lost all his money and was eventually sentenced to... a few years?"

Max stepped back and leaned against the car.

Martin muttered, "We have a ready-made case today, and we'll know soon enough."

Harris played along, beaming: "Drug driving! Oh my god, this is fantastic! My chances of striking it rich are 100%!" He then added on, "You absolutely have to sell me that videotape! I'll pay $1000!"

Max stared at Martin as if he were a venomous snake.

Martin said, "Mr. Max, you are a wonderful husband, a loving father, a beautiful wife, and lovely children. They must see you as a pillar and a hero. I admire you very much and I must not let you get involved in criminal cases."

"You son of a bitch!" Max roared. "You're so shameless you don't deserve to be called a human being!"

Martin was not provoked: "I'm a concerned citizen. If I call the police and submit the videotape, I might receive a Marietta Honorary Citizen Medal."

Max gradually broke down: "Don't try to act all high and mighty, you slum crawler! I know you're after the money. Name your price and give me the videotape."

People are responsible for their words, so Martin decided to raise the price on the spot: "$5000."

"Kid, are you crazy?" Max pointed at him and said, "Calling the police and getting a fine is only $5000!"

Instead of refusing, Martin focused on the numbers. Sensing that Max was about to be defeated, he escalated the situation: "My new boss has a freelance journalist friend. If I call the police, Channel 3, which covers Atlanta's social life, will soon receive a copy."

He pointed at Harris: "I don't know anything about the law. Mr. Max, besides the fine, will you need to pay bail? Will you need to pay for a lawyer? The free lawyers at ATL Legal Aid Association take several months to arrive."

Max's head was practically smoking.

Martin pressed his advantage: "You might go to jail. If the sentence is long, won't your beautiful wife divorce you? Won't she take your assets and find a new boyfriend? That doesn't seem so bad; someone will protect your wife and raise your children..."

"Enough! Shut your filthy mouth!" Max turned and kicked the Cadillac's wheel. "Martin Davis, you're so vicious you don't deserve to be called a human being!"

He took a pen and checkbook from the car: "$3000! Only $3000! If you ask for even a penny more, I'll fight you to the death! And return the damn videotape."

Martin wanted to give Elena time to make the video recording, so he took out three $1000 checks and said, "I'm broke and have never seen a large check before. Come with me to the bank to transfer the money. I'll give you the videotape right away after the transfer. There's an American Bank branch nearby."

Max said fiercely, "Don't try anything funny!"

Martin said, "Honesty and integrity are my principles in life."

After crossing the intersection, there was a bank branch at most a kilometer away. Harris got up, ignored the bicycle, and followed Martin on foot.

Max moved the old bicycle aside, got on, and followed.

Holding the large check in his hand, Harris forgot even the pain of his broken arm and couldn't help but say, "How was my performance? In a film festival, I'd have an 80% chance of winning Best Actor."

Martin immediately rejected the idea: "Too flashy, too superficial." He took out his phone and called Elena: "Is the video okay? Good! Send the original tape over when you're done, Bank of America."

Upon arriving at the Bank of America branch, Martin and Harris each opened an account. Martin briefly went out to retrieve the camera.

While waiting for the check transfer in the branch's waiting area, Max briefly looked at the video footage on the small LCD screen of the cassette camera, then took out the cassette and put it in his bag.

The video happened to capture the moment when the bicycle ran into the frame and the Cadillac crashed into it.

The angle was clearly chosen.

Max asked, "Is there a copy?"

Martin snatched the camera back, surprised. "This thing can even burn records?"

Max stared at him, oblivious to anything amiss, and stood up. "Don't let me see you again."

Martin said, "Don't worry, I don't want to see you either."

Max exited the bank branch, got into his car, and slammed his fist on the steering wheel: "Shit!"

Those two bastards will pay the price sooner or later.

The Cadillac started and drove onto a secluded side road. Max got out, pulled out the cassette tape, lit it with a lighter, and burned it to ashes.

Starting tomorrow, he will temporarily hire a driver to prevent a second incident.

That bastard is shameless; he absolutely could do it.

Martin and Harris each took some change, got credit cards, and then went out to get in their car.

Elena asked, "Are your legs and arms no longer in pain?"

Martin closed the passenger door and said, "I've discovered that it's only when you're broke that your legs hurt; when you're rich, you feel completely comfortable."

Harris leaned back in the back seat, his excitement fading, and urged, "Take me to the hospital right away, I'm in so much pain."

Elena started the car: "Even a car couldn't kill you, you idiot. This little injury won't kill you."

Passing by the accident scene, the bicycle was gone.

The three of them didn't care at all; the broken-down car that rattled everywhere except for the bell had become dog shit in their eyes.

With the money, Harris's arm could be treated without having to see veterinarian Bill.

Elena suddenly had an idea: "We've already lost an arm once, are we going to do it again? There are a lot of poisoners out there."

Harris protested, "The probability of me dying is 99%!"

Martin had already considered this: "Max has a happy family, two children, and doesn't want to become a criminal. What if he runs into a hot-tempered guy next time? What if he shoots Harris's pig head off?"

Elena focused on driving and stopped talking.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Martin accompanied Harris for her treatment, while Elena returned the car and the teddy bear.

Martin asked, "Whose car is it?"

Elena said, "Monica, she's a nice person."

Martin said softly, "Remember to fill up the tank."

Elena stared at him for a moment: "Did your idiotic brain finally click?"

Martin saw Harris come out of the CT room and quickly went over to him.

Harris's condition is not too bad. He does not need surgery to insert pins or plates. After the doctor repositioned him, a cast was put on. All that is left is to take medication and rest.

After leaving the hospital, Elena, who had rushed back, suggested, "Let's celebrate tonight."

"Celebrating a fool breaking his arm, I approve!" Martin generously declared. "My treat, let's go get some beer!"

Harris, with his arm in a sling, followed: "I want funnel cake, and a Monte Cristo sandwich!"

Elena was overjoyed: "It's rare for a poor guy to treat me, so I'll have sweet beer and oxtail rice!"

The three of them went on a shopping spree at roadside restaurants and convenience stores, planning to go back and party.

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(End of this chapter)