THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes.

CHAPTER 10

"I'M GOING TO the hospital," A tall thin man in an oversized suit said, getting into the taxi.

Arthur started the engine and drove on.

He had been doing this for over a week now and even as he didn't expect to like it, he found himself waking up every morning looking forward to the type of people he was going to meet that day.

He had found a small apartment on the outskirts of downtown. It was a shabby building, but he had nice neighbors and a place to sleep. He had also bought some casual clothes, not as expensive as the first set he had bought, but they were not cheap either.

Oftentimes, he caught himself thinking of his late friend, William, but he snapped himself out of getting sad, and for that reason, he was glad to have a job as tasking and busy as a taxi driver. It kept his mind from thinking of the past and trying to regain his memory.

"Would you like some music, sir?" Arthur asked his passenger.

The man shook his head. "I would prefer the silence."

Arthur nodded. He knew passengers like this. Working as a taxi driver made him very sensitive to people. He was getting very good at reading people. Arthur noted the way the man was tapping his thumb against his thigh and fixed his gaze out the window, He could tell that this was a nervous passenger.

"Your wife?" He asked the man.

The man stilled and looked at Arthur, and then he nodded. "How did you know?"

Arthur gave an easy smile but didn't answer. He knew the person in the hospital could either be a wife or a sister. He took a gamble and guessed.

"She put to bed?" Arthur asked. He guessed again that it was a good news. If it was a bad thing that was taking him to the hospital, he would have been more hysterical and agitated.

The man nodded.

"First tike dad. Congratulations." Arthur greeted.

"She should not be due till next month. I'm worried about the premature birth."The man said.

"I'm sure everything will be fine. Don't worry about it, okay?"

The man nodded and he was considerably calmer after the talk.

Arthur drove and parked in front of the hospital. The man started to pay but Arthur shook his head. "Don't bother about the payment, sir. As my way of congratulating you. Go see your wife."

The man nodded gratefully and hurried in.

Arthur smiled and relaxed in his seat. He would cover up the man's fare with his own money.

Although he had worked with Carl for over a week, Henry's demeanor had not warmed towards him. The short, round man was bent on framing Arthur for something that would make him get fired.

The second day after Arthur resumed, Henry had called him into Carl's office.

The complaint was that Arthur had been complained by the customers for driving too fast.

"What?!" Arthur had asked, not believing his ears.

"I have the proof here," Henry had said. They both looked at Carl who watched them, bored out of his mind. Carl's silence had given Henry the mind to continue, he brought out his tablet and said, "We implanted tracking devices on each taxi, and following the heat map along this route, you were overspeeding."

Arthur never went over the city's speed limit. "Let me see that." He grasped the tablet from Henry and looked at the screen.

"I didn't even drive through here yesterday," Arthur had claimed. "And I have the proof!" He echoed Henry's earlier words.

They turned to look at Carl again, who remained silent. Arthur brought out his daily invoice and proved that he was innocent.

As he walked out of the office without getting into any trouble, he could feel Henry's gaze burn into his back. He had smiled all the way down.

Now, still parked in the hospital's parking lot, he glanced at his watch. It was just 12 noon.

"I think I have earned myself a break," He started the engine and drove out, "Time for lunch."

He found a fast food place just down the street and got in to eat. He took his tune eating, He enjoyed watching people, and he watched as they came and went.

[New Task >>> Quit your job as a taxi driver]

[Deadline in 5 hours]

Arthur groaned. "Just when I'm starting to enjoy it,"

"The system needed you to get some skills from that job, and you have successfully gotten it," The robotic voice said, "Now it is time for the next phase."

Arthur sighed. He paid his bill, left a large top for the waitress, and got out. The taxi phone was ringing as he got in. It was a call from the company.

He picked the phone up, "Taxi 409, driver Arthur Salvatore. How may I help you?"

"Get your ass to the office right now!" The person on the other end said and hung up. Arthur knew that voice. That was Henry.

Arthur drove back to the tower and made his way to the office on the top floor. Henry and Carl sat inside. Arthur knocked politely before entering.

Henhouse immediately stood up to face Arthur. "Why was your car at a spot for a long time?"

"What are you talking about?" Arthur snarled.

"Your car wasn't moving for almost an hour," Henry said. He turned to Carl, "You see, sir. This is what he does. He is a lazy son of a bitch!"

"Easy, Henry," Carl said. He rubbed his eyesockets and spoke to Arthur, "But he's right, Arthur. Your car should always be on the move, that's why I'm paying you."

"I was having lunch," Arthur explained. "It was a long lunch."

"Bought with your money, sir!" Henry piped.

"Shut your mouth, midget," Arthur snapped. "Or I'll be forced to shut it for you."

"He called me a midget!" Henry said like he couldn't believe it. He vibrated on a spot like a pressurized bottle. "You should fire him and send him away, sir."

Carl simply looked like he was tired of everything. He sighed, leaving Arthur and Henry to face off. And he admitted that standing in front of Arthur, Henry really did look like a midget.

"There will be no need to fire me, sir," Arthur said through clenched teeth.

"Yes there –"

"Shut it," Arthur cut Henry off. "I quit. I was just coming here to tell you before he called me."

"Are you sure?" Carl asked tentatively.

Arthur nodded. "Would you like a letter to go with it?"

Carl shook his head and said, "That won't be necessary. Do you have the keys?"

Arthur handed the keys to Carl. They shook hands amicably.

"You are a good person, Arthur Salvatore. I wish you good luck on whatever it is you're going to do next."

Arthur nodded. "Thank you, sir." And walked out.

"Are you just going to let him go like that?" Henry seethed. "After he insulted me and –"

"Shut up, Henry, and get back to work!" Carl snapped.

Arthur chuckled as he heard.

[Task completed successfully]

[Gifts unlocked]

[People's skills. Increased ego and intelligence]

[50,000 USD credited into your bank account]

[Level up >>> Class C economy man]

[Compatibility with system >>> 60%]

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