Chapter 63

Pierce was taken aback by the black man's earlier remark and then burst into laughter. He tugged at his clothes and joked, "Hey, buddy, do you think I can't pay... Ya... black... poor?"

Originally, he had intended to bring up the topic of Asians, but he quickly changed his mind since his boss was Asian. He attempted to switch to talking about black people, but the burly man in front of him had arms thicker than his legs. Unable to bear the situation, Pierce blushed and quickly changed his words.

It wasn't clear whether the black man misunderstood or if he simply didn't care, but after looking Pierce up and down, he shook his head, "No."

Pierce then asked, "Can you drive?" gesturing toward the car.

The black man nodded, stepping on the accelerator, and maneuvered through the traffic.

Their journey led them to the Tenderloin, the city's poorest neighborhood. It was riddled with adult stores, movie theaters, and frequented by drunks, drug addicts, and beggars. It was a hotspot for various crimes, and the stark wealth disparity was evident. Law and order here were among the worst in the city, earning it the unflattering nickname "Thetrash!" by the San Francisco Police Department.

As they drove through the area, Pierce noticed peculiar vehicles on the street and asked about them. The black man explained that they were dung pickup trucks used to clean up after homeless people who defecated in public. Pierce was taken aback by the sight of a man openly defecating on the street, with seemingly no one paying it any mind.

Pierce's bewilderment grew as he compared the scene to Africa and India. He couldn't help but wonder what had happened to San Francisco.

As they continued their drive, the car's tire crushed a discarded glass needle tube, and Pierce noticed that the needle had been recently used.

Once they arrived at their destination, Pierce paid the fare of $25 and asked for a business card. He received one from the black taxi driver before exiting the vehicle.

However, when he examined the business card, Pierce was shocked to see the name "Nick Fury," along with the title "Director of S.H.I.E.L.D." He couldn't believe his eyes, wondering if it was a mere coincidence or if there was a hidden meaning.

Pierce thanked the driver and stepped out of the taxi, but the vehicle sped away rapidly. He was left standing in surprise, and a traffic cop approached from a distance, likely trying to avoid a parking violation.

Walking along the familiar streets of his hometown, Pierce soon found himself in front of a residential house. The yard was overgrown with weeds, and moss covered the walls. A swing sat silently, waiting for its owner, a stark reminder of the past.

A neighbor from the adjacent house called out to him, asking whom he was looking for. Pierce recognized her as Mrs. Moores, a plump woman with thick glasses, a broom in hand, and a beer bottle-thick glasses wearing a patterned dress.

Mrs. Moores couldn't place Pierce immediately, but when it finally dawned on her, she exclaimed in excitement, recognizing him as Alexander Pierce. She welcomed him warmly and suggested having a party to celebrate his return.

Pierce agreed to the party invitation from his decades-old neighbors. He then made his way to his former home at 767 Francis Street. The house was in disrepair, filled with dust, and had a musty odor. But Pierce found comfort in the familiarity of it all.

A vision of his past greeted him as he entered the home. He envisioned a blond woman welcoming him with food. Overcome with emotion, Pierce closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them, only to find that there was no woman, and the kitchen remained dilapidated. Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke with a quivering voice, "I'm back, dear."

His former home was gone, but the memories remained.

In the evening, Pierce returned to Mrs. Moores' house for the welcoming party. He was greeted by both old and new neighbors who celebrated his return. Pierce engaged in conversation with a young black man at the party, who was curious about his time abroad.

Pierce shared that he worked for a private charity organization, emphasizing their commitment to love and peace. He was quick to distance himself from profit-driven organizations and emphasized that their souls remained untainted by money.

As the evening went on, Pierce couldn't help but reflect on his journey and how his experiences had changed him.