Day 000 Hour 07

It was too late for me to back out now. If this works out, I will have a new source of revenue basically for free. It seems that I only need to do petty tasks. And again, if it becomes dangerous, I do not have anything to pack before disappearing.

As I stared at the woman's eyes, I could tell that she had not come to terms with me and joining this club. Did her thoughts and opinions matter right now? Obviously not. Since she did not have any power in this situation. I have seen many problems arise from the weakness shown in the first meeting so I needed to show some level of fierceness.

"I want the remaining cash put in the envelope." I said demandingly as I threw the envelope on the table. My eyes did not evade hers and the intense showdown did not occur as I mentally prepared for.

"Take it up with the boss." Without a change in tone or emotion, she retorted instantly. She then took a seat and closed her eyes. I laughed on the inside since the concept of customer service existed in a shadowy membership as well.

My skill of judging people was honed accurately and I had no choice but to leave with what I was given. I guess I won't get any answers until I can contact them. So I left without saying another word. But before I left, I did not see the woman's swift movements as she secretly pressed a button. What it did, I would find out later.

A couple of stores down, there was a shopkeeper who I needed to visit to complete my task. His name was France and he owed me a favor. It was more because I did not tell his secret to others. I do not think blackmail is a decent thing to do so I never took anything in return for it. But everytime he saw me, he'd offer to give me something from his shop. It was starting to get annoying so now was the best time to relieve myself from that burden.

"Hey France. I see that you are as busy as ever." I greet the owner as I walk in the store. Most of the people in the neighbourhood get their phone services done at this shop. And he had the tacky sense to name his shop something weird too. He would not be someone I got along with.

"Welcome to Paris!" A deep and loud voice happily replied to my greeting. France was a skinny tall man with short back hair. He was the type that looked like he was on the border line of barely getting something to eat. But believe me, he did not lack the money to eat how he pleased.

His secret that I have been keeping was that he purposely made himself more relatable to the people in this part of town. If he had any fat on him, he'd be a target for all the thieves looking for an easy score. So he kept himself thin and measly looking to not warrant any extra attention.

How did I find out? That is another story I do not wish to speak about.

"Am I still allowed to cash in the favor?" I asked him once I got close enough to whisper.

"No need to be shy! Come in Come in! Look at whatever you want and let me know. You deserve a special discount for being a great friend." His smile was perfect for his fake salesman character.

"GIve me your cheapest phone. I only need to text and 100 minutes per month." I thought and then added on, "How much for 3 months worth upfront?" I added on. I did not want to see him more than I had to.

"3 months!? Friend, do you not want to see me until then?" He kept on smiling and asked me in a friendly manner. At the same time, he reached under the counter and pulled out an outdated looking box.

I took the plain box and told him, with my eyes, that we see each other everyday. I needed him to cut the crap. I was not one of his regular customers. "How much for the three months and the phone?"

"You hurt me friend. I will give you the best friend discount. The phone and two months will be free and the last month will cost you $5. Fair?"

"Yup." It was cheaper than I had expected but in this century, I doubt they even make these kinds of phones anymore. But I did not require much. I opened the box and pulled out the antique phone. It was the size of my palm and the screen was a third of that. Everything seemed to still be working when I tested it out and France inserted a chip right away after paying him his asking price.

"Come again when you are ready to enter the year 2020 like the rest of us." He enjoyed having the last words. So it was not a surprise when he made a smart remark as I was leaving the store. I saw many of the people living in bad circumstances trying to buy items beyond what they could afford.

I chose not to judge because I neither know their upbringing or the reasons they did what they did. And maybe, I would be just like them if things were different. I did not waste any more time and went into a private corner in one of the many alleys. I would have gone home if not for the work I still had to do today.

I looked down at the working phone and texted the phrase given to me.

The $100 Club.