Marcel Audrey the Greatest Equalizer

Chapter 10(Transaction Failed)

[Transaction failed]

Came the digital encrypted words on the screen of the paying machine which was also accompanied by the declined clinking sound.

It was a daydream for the stranded and bamboozled Marcel as puzzles of datas raced through his mind. He was struck and stunned as he watched his intuition coming to pass.

As he was plunged on the wrong side of reality, that can't be said for his enemies which includes the receptionist, Grace and the supposed neutral spectators, the crowds.

"Hahaha!" Came the mocking and towering laughter from Grace and her boyfriend. She has never envisaged that such a beautiful opportunity to humiliate and rubbish the poor Marcel will ever exist, not even in her fantasy. 

She was conspicuously happy. She gloated on seeing the downcasted countenance of Marcel. She was visibly delighted in seeing Marcel's despondent expression.

It made her reminisce on the good old days when she always stood comfortably on the poor lad's head without him agitating. She need no one to tell her that this is the famous poor maintenance guy that couldn't even maintain his poor wretched life.

The crowd was not excluded from the display. They engaged in murmurs and gossip amongst themselves while also occasionally giving Marcel disgusted and disdainful stares and glances.

 'Today, I have come to realize that shame is a valuable virtue that not everyone possesses,' a stout-looking man stated, without specifically directing it to anyone.

'I refuse to be among those who will be taken aback by such an appalling act. It was clearly evident on him, poverty cannot be concealed,' he continued.

'Poor and untrustworthy, apprehend him before he absconds with any valuable items,' another person added. 

As the crowd deliberated and passed judgment on what they were witnessing, Marcel contemplated his next move. 'Could it be possible that this card is counterfeit? Did my grandfather intentionally give him a false card?' Marcel pondered to himself. 

He was compelled to question everything that occurred at the Audrey Castlevania. 'What are you all waiting for? Seize him or immediately remove him before he steals something,' Stephan Jenkins, Grace's boyfriend, arrogantly exclaimed.

Stephan beef with Marcel dates a few months ago when everything started. Stefan has long known the poor Marcel, he was also among the few that were aware of the relationship between Marcel and Choley. He hated the handsome boy because in a funny way Marcel always reminded him of his failure to woo the beautiful and elegant Choley. 

Choley was his first choice before settling for Grace, all thanks to Marcel, the loafer that outwitted him in the artistry of wooing. He felt his ego punctured, for a popular  lad among his folks, it will surely dent his image hence his bitterness and hate for Marcel but sadly for him, Marcel had never seen him as a threat lest he never felt the need to treat him as one.

"Yes, get hold of this fraud already, I still can't believe that you guys will allow someone like him in here" Grace seconds his boyfriend.

Pain and sorrow went straight to the poor sales girl. Her hope was dashed and crushed at the same time. She could see the happy eyes of her colleagues. She regretted ever setting her eyes on Marcel let alone being so foolish to assist him. It would have been a different story if she shunned the urge to help the strange looking customer or was it out of desperation to make sales? Well whichever the answer is, she has made the wrong decision.

It would be a really sad fate for her if she ended up being laid off of her job. It will be an aborted dream for a  rookie who is well determined to succeed and liberate herself and her younger brother from poverty.

"Please try it again, I think there is malfunctioning somewhere" Marcel shakily said. His confidence was visibly crumbled.

"Really! Are you being serious right now? I can see you are a century clown but forgive me there is no kid here to amuse" The receptionist snorted coldly.

She couldn't believe herself that for a minute she thought that the measly and poor looking lad would be able to pull out such an amount. She was right all along, she can't just be wrong, at least for someone who has played the front desk counter for a good number of years. She can easily tell a well to do individuals and each one of them were accorded with varying degrees of respect in accordance with her perceived financial capacity.

"Am so.. sorry, I really.."

"Sorry for what, we don't do that here besides you're the one that needs it more. Please take your leave or face an unspeakable hostility from our security officials" The receptionist sounded, so clear to Marcel, enough to know that she isn't bluffing.

Marcel was amazed by the offer of leaving there without any punishment hence he felt really tempted to take the goodwill from the rude lady but that would mean being everything that everyone right there thought of him and most especially the fate of the kind and humble salesgirl who is now faced with cruel uncertainty.

"Please give me one more chance, please.."

"Don't you have ears, well since you have developed wings all of a sudden, you will dance to the tune of your choice" she said while pressing some digits on the telephone. Every sane brain could tell that she was calling the emergency number which alerts the security officials but Marcel was unfazed by this.

Right there, a magnificent and mean looking woman in her late forty stepped into the building accompanied by some well dressed individuals. They were sound and elicited an intimidating aura that brought silence to the building except of course, the ranting Grace and receptionist. 

"What is going on here?" A toned and strong feminine voice emanates. It was cold and audible enough to mute the ranting ladies who were oblivious of her presence.

The receptionist was taken aback by the figures before her while Grace, though unscuffed, could tell that these were top dogs. They looked powerful and adorable.

"Good d…day ma" The receptionist stammers

"That's not an answer to my question" lady Alice Ellanor said with a flat face devoid of any emotions.

"Am sorry…"

"Enzo! Who is this foolish staff of yours?" 

"Uhm, she is Ana.. Ana Hilly" Enzo replies erratically

"Ana, so you can't answer a simple question?"

"No ma, I c.."

"Well go straight to the point "