"Professor Marjorie, you're under arrest!"*Perfect. I haven't even started the University Op ye, and one naughty professor is already down!*, celebrated Benjamin."Wait--" But Bradley had already locked her sinewy hands together, and installed the cuffs."I've heard all I need to, Ma'am. We'll continue your questioning back at the station."The haunting image of being walked out by a police officer from her department finally seemed to sink in within Marjorie."Wait!" she pleaded, as Bradley lifted her to stand, not caring to listen. "I'll tell you everything. That boy. Elroy. He's the one that set it all up! I just had to cover him in class attendance once in a while""Uh-huh" muttered Bradley dryly. "Let's go""Please"Her eyes shot from Bradley to Benjamin."I'm telling the truth!""Or you're saying what you want us to hear. If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times.""I swear. That's it!""So, he was skipping class?" interjected Benjamin. Bradley clicked his tongue bu
"He resolved it all right. We're good to go as is. Everything's ready for mayhem" said JMONEY, hesitatingly."Good.""What about him?" asked JMONEY."You talking to me?" chortled Michael."You were supposed to work on your Dad, as I remember it?""You son of a--""Relax, I won't permit any fighting when we're already this close. What the hell is wrong with you guys anyway?" chastised Benjamin. "Michael, I have something to show you" beckoned Benjamin. He took Michael to look outside the dorm window, pointing straight ahead to the parking lot."You see that?" asked Benjamin."Holy motherfucking Shit"Of course, they were looking at Benjamin's new Cybertruck."Apparently, they only have three of them left. And the last I even checked was three days ago."Michael groaned and grunted as if some powerful inner battle was occurring within his soul. "Fuck you. You think waving your new truck in front of me is going to make it any easier to sell out my dad?""Hey, the truck wasn't my idea, re
Mardo Wormwood picked up the ornament of flowers and headed upstairs. After what was a simple, short navigation to locate Room 201 in the quiet halls of Medhill Hospital, he knocked on the door of Robert Kirkland.The door opened slightly, and a short plump man with wide-rimmed spectacles, who was most definitely, not Robert Kirkland, peeked out."Mardo?" asked the man, opening the door completely to step out. Mardo held out the flowers."I thought I should pay my respects," he said softly."Not necessary. Appreciated, but not necessary. Also, he's not dead, you know.""Is it true? About the amnesia?" asked Robert as he handed over the Hydrangeas."How did you hear about that?" barked the plump man. "Come on, Bobby. Who do you think I am? Now spill."The man sighed. "We're looking into it. The doctors said it's a side effect from the shock he suffered.""Which was what again? A heart attack?"Bobby shrugged. "That's still inconclusive.""After over 4 days of being in the hospital. The
Inside the tower, Mardo stopped by the front desk."Excuse Me. I would like to see the CEO" he strummed politely. Dominique, one of the officers on duty that day asked: "Do you have an appointment?""If I had, I would've mentioned it, don't you think?""Unfortunately" replied Dominique, "We can't let you in without an appointment, Sir.""Do you know who I am?"Dominique shook his head irritably."Then at least tell your boss who I am. Mardo Wormwood. Aircable CEO, and owner. Or you don't know what this too? Do yourself a favor. Pull out your phone, find out, and don't get fired for turning away someone like me when your boss comes in to check in later.""I know, Aircable, Sir. Unfortunately--" Dominque turned his attention to his pocket, where his cell was vibrating."Just one moment, Sir. Hello?"Mardo overheard a gentle tinny voice issuing an inaudible command."Alright. Understood." Dominique ended the call. "You're all set to go, Mr. Mardo. We're glad to have you."And with that,
"Pauper?""Not quite, as you can see. I usually go by Benjamin these days. Also, CEO of Ivy Corp. President of the Medhill board. Or just simply, Boss. The elevator's closing, Mr. Mardo. Don't you have somewhere to be?"Mardo Wormwood found himself leaning slightly off-center and stopped himself with the door before he could fall and collapse right there."It's impossible" he whispered under his breath, staring at Benjamin like he was the 8th wonder of the world. A wonder that had risen from the dead and posed a threat to his survival."You know what they say. Something's always impossible until it's not." smiled Benjamin.Mardo massaged his head. "I have to be dreaming or something"Benjamin pushed the button for the ground floor, with Mardo inside. "Don't worry, Mr. Mardo. All will be explained in time. And by in time, I mean very soon. Extremely sooon" The doors began to close. "See you at the Wedding" winked Benjamin from the other side.On the ground floor, Mardo was still strugg
Amber donned a sunset brown dress that draped all the way to her ankles, barely brushing past the straps of the fragile, but stunning black high heels. On both of her wrists were gold and silver bracelets stacked upon each other in closed, tight gaps.Her necklace was even simpler; a round thin chain of something that sparkled under the building spotlights, and helped to accentuate her mischievous smile. She had curled the ends of her hair into two stunning semi-circles that she brushed off her chest as she approached the dumbfounded Benjamin."Ready when you are, Boss." she poked playfully."Looks like someone's been on a shopping spree. Do I need to look into your salary?" he teased."If you do, you should remember all the bonuses I should have made for all my *hard work*""I'm just surprised you even had the time.""Oh, no. I had my cousin pick this out for me.""Really? Wonder what she looks like."Johnny Zeppeli coughed. "Don't you people have somewhere to be already? This is sti
Benjamin grinned and clinked his glass a few more times. "A toast, everyone." Soon, the sound of Benjamin's glass was the only sound to be heard in the hotel's hall. Benjamin looked again to the Black family table.Madam Black, Simon, and Mardo had all joined Claire in a gaping expression.Benjamin raised his glass. "To the couple--"Mardo rose. "Get this hobo out of here! Now!" he instructed, not minding decorum. The guests were appalled as some security approached Benjamin."Are you sure you should be treating your guests this way?" asked Benjamin."And when I find out who let him in here, you all are going to have a lot to answer for!" Mardo berated the security.Should I get rough? wondered Benjamin. But before two of the guards could close the distance by a further step, 3 gentlemen from a nearby table rose and quickly approached to block the guards."What?""Is exactly what I want to ask, Mr.Mardo." Caroline's voice pierced the air from the table next to Benjamin. "As far as I k
"So, what are you going to do, Justine?"Madam Black looked from family to foe. Claire, Simon, and Mardo were eagerly anticipating some strong response, based on how they were looking at her with wide impatient eyes. She looked back at Benjamin, still dumbfounded."What do you want?" she asked him."Want? Well, Mrs Caroline may be exaggerating things slightly there, so I don't blame you for thinking that way. This isn't some threat, or even Blackmail, Ma'am. In fact, it's quite the opposite. We're here out of respect, and professional courtesy, as Amber had deduced that maybe the board might have not told you." Benjamin rose."And now you know. We'll work with Mrs Caroline to send out figures first thing on Monday morning. It should be a good deal to think over the weekend.""Why are you doing this?" cut in Claire. For a long time, even since the bank incident, she had not been able to look him directly in the eyes. But now she did.Her eyes are weak and dull, thought Benjamin, before