Receiving the check, Martin glanced at the amount and realized it was incorrect—only $100.
This was supposed to be for two weeks' wages.
Recalling the agreed terms, Martin said, "Mr. Max, we agreed on a daily wage of $45. I worked for you for 12 days over two weeks."
"You never signed a daily wage contract with me; you are only entitled to the minimum hourly wage," Max had anticipated Martin Davis's injury and had prepared accordingly.
Injuries to the head, being complex, could lead to ongoing issues. Max had preemptively closed all exits: "You fell from the roof and damaged Mr. Paul's doghouse, which cost him $1,200. I paid him $1,000 in compensation; you may verify this with Mr. Paul."
Paul was a long-time friend of Max's, and he had already prepared: "Bill and Jones, who worked with you, confirm that you were drinking while working, violating safety procedures, and ignoring warnings, resulting in the accident and significant financial loss for the employer."
"Moreover, your actions severely damaged the company's reputation, leading to the loss of three business contracts." Max skillfully delivered a series of blows, targeting this impoverished, uneducated youth.
He produced a folder and slid it across to Martin: "Here, this is the termination agreement resulting from your actions. Your behavior caused the company to lose three major clients."
Martin skimmed through the document. On the surface, it appeared correct, but a company could easily fabricate such documents.
Max smiled with feigned benevolence: "I haven’t taken you to court to claim damages; instead, out of humanitarianism, I’m giving you $100. You should be grateful."
He added a reminder: "If you disagree, you can appeal to the union and request arbitration. Sorry, I forgot—you don’t have a steady job, can’t afford union fees, and have never joined a union."
Martin closed the document, deep in thought. The situation seemed grim.
Max continued to sniff, his demeanor increasingly exuberant: "You can't afford a lawyer, but you can apply for legal aid from ATL Legal Aid Society; I hear the wait can be months."
This was a thorough crushing, from social status to financial resources, even though Max was merely a small company owner.
Martin, unfamiliar with American legal procedures and lacking any relevant knowledge, was at a disadvantage.
Max banged the table: "Go home, young man. Heal your injuries, and the company will always welcome you back."
Martin put away the check and looked at Max. The conventional route seemed nearly impossible.
The issue was class and money.
At that moment, the door opened, and the burly Latin man appeared in the doorway.
Martin, unable to drag his injured leg around, turned and left Max’s office.
As he descended the stairs, he meticulously searched his memory, trying to confirm his findings.
This was rampant in Atlanta.
Martin reached his car and spotted a Cadillac parked nearby, which, from his memory, was Max’s vehicle.
After a few minutes of contemplation, he noted the license plate and recalled more details about Max, especially his usual route home. Martin started his car and drove in that direction.
Max lived in a middle-class neighborhood, not far from Clayton.
Martin drove along the remembered route and then returned to the Clayton community, entering the Carter house.
Elena approached and asked, "Did that bastard pay?"
Martin handed her the cash check: "I dealt with a very difficult boss."
"Only $100?" Elena was enraged. "Does he think you’re a beggar?"
Harris, having taken painkillers, suppressed the pain momentarily, asking, "What are the chances of winning if we apply for arbitration or legal aid?"
Martin sat on the single sofa and replied, "We are penniless; time is a huge cost."
Suddenly, Hall interjected, "Get a gun and take him out!"
Lily sneered, "Do you want to go to prison?"
Elena smacked her own forehead and pointed to the bedroom door: "Go in. If I don’t speak, you two idiots don’t come out!"
The siblings turned away and entered the bedroom.
Once the bedroom door closed, Martin spoke again, "Harris, can you move normally?"
Harris nodded, "I took painkillers; it’s manageable."
Martin got straight to the point, "I worked for Max for two weeks and know him somewhat. He’s a family man who leaves the office at 3:30 PM every day and always takes the same route. There’s a suitable intersection on that route where we can wait for him."
Elena was astonished, "What do you plan to do? Rob him on the road?"
Harris hesitated, "Robbing Max has a 90% chance of landing us in prison. I still want to apply to college."
"What are you two idiots thinking?" Martin pounded the sofa armrest, "I have principles and boundaries!"
Elena was perplexed, "I don’t want to end up in some damn prison. Lily and Hall are both fools..."
"Either shut up or listen to me!" Martin quickly laid out his plan, "In their rules, the poor can never defeat the wealthy. We must step outside their rules."
Harris muttered, "Principles and boundaries..."
Martin was indifferent, "We have principles and boundaries, but they must be adaptable."
Elena, while giving him two fingers, agreed, "At least the idiot has gotten a bit smarter."
Martin grabbed Elena’s leg, plucking a few hairs from her teddy bear costume, and asked, "Can you get a complete teddy bear costume?"
Elena raised an eyebrow, "No problem."
Martin then asked, "Do you have any cameras or similar equipment?"
Harris spoke up, "Scott’s shop should have some second-hand stuff."
"Excellent!" Martin instructed, "Elena, get the costume. I’ll see Scott. Harris, keep an eye on those two fools and make sure they don’t cause any more trouble!"
Elena was the first to stand up, heading out while saying, "Lazy asses, get moving. The Teddy Bear Operation begins now!"
She drove back to the promotional mall.
Martin went north to find a small grocery store.
Scott Carter was sitting at the counter, gulping from a bottle of rum. Seeing Martin, he burped and asked, "Kid, what are you here for?"
Martin approached the counter: "Your son Harris broke his arm."
Scott took a swig and said, "He should go to the hospital."
Knowing Scott wouldn’t spend money, Martin asked, "Do you have a camera?"
"No camera, but I have a camcorder." Scott put down the bottle and proudly displayed a mini camcorder, "JVC, just got it last week. If you find a buyer for me, I’ll give you a commission."
Martin, familiar with the model, picked it up and examined it: "Is it still working?"
Scott stretched his neck, "Of course it is!"
Martin took the camcorder and walked away without looking back: "I need it for Harris’s treatment. I’ll return it later."
"Dammit, stand still, stand still!" Scott yelled, but did not pursue.
Returning to the Carter house, Elena soon arrived, and the three gathered and set out.
The Teddy Bear Operation had begun.
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