Door-to-Door Salesman
It was rather late into the day when Arnold as he made his way back home from the gym. The sun was setting soon and it was nearly night, but he wasn't worried about any danger as a fit young man in his prime.
Rubbing his biceps, he continued walking through the shopping district to his home.
This isn't working… this isn't making me feel any better.
Giving his muscles a firm rub usually helped to cheer him up, but his efforts were futile today. It was likely due to the large and conspicuous purple bruise that sat on his right eye, forcing away his attention every time it throbbed.
The throbbing pain incited his fury, and he harshly kicked a trashcan sitting at the curb with a loud clang.
The young man's mood was foul due to how he had gotten the bruise.
He had been humiliated in front of his college friends and the entire gym after a couple shark thugs dragged him out and threatened him for their money back.
What's wrong with just having a bit of fun in life… fucking hell…
Throughout his entire life up until he had graduated from high school, he basically had nothing. His clothes were all hand-me-downs from his big brother, his education took second priority, and comparisons were constantly made.
The only time he had gotten any fun in his own life, the only time he had ever actually lived his own life, was when he had begun working out.
Now instead of having nothing, he had muscles, and they gave him an unspoken confidence. But that wasn't enough.
Money…
Sighing to himself, Arnold reminisced about the life he had before he had turned to the sharks. It had been one of glory and fame.
Sure I blew my tuition on a new car, but why'd they have to get so angry about it… I can just work it off.
His thoughts treated the situation lightly, but he realized that he had gotten himself into deep shit.
As he thought, his mind inevitably wandered back to his parents. Thinking about his single father's wrath, his pace slowed to a crawl.
"Ugh… Huh?" He just barely managed to let out the sigh before his tone turned to one of caution. "Who the hell are you guys?"
From the darkness of an alley next to electronics store, four men shuffled out of the darkness to surround him. They walked slowly and unsteadily, but they moved quickly and surrounded Arnold before he could even think.
His muscles tensing up, Arnold's breathing grew heavy.
The men weren't all that intimidating looking. They all shared one trait, being smelly and unsanitary, dirty and unkempt, but there were four of them, and they surrounded him.
"You wanna fight? Let's go." Continuously turning his body, Arnold spoke provocatively.
The tight muscles he felt in his arms gave him a good amount of confidence, and he was prepared even despite the aching in his eye.
"We're not looking for a fight."
But before he could start a fight, a voice sounded out from the dark alley beside him.
Along with the voice came the sound of footsteps, and a man walked into view a moment later.
"Who the hell are you? What do you want?" His fists still up, Arnold observed the man in front of him.
He didn't seem all that young, probably in his mid-twenties or so. He wore a black suit that fit his body, and seemed thin. He was quite good-looking, a face that didn't belong in this section of the neighbourhood, but it was one that Arnold recognized.
"Hey… you're that creep from the gym! The one that's been staring at me for like a day now!"
"…" The man frowned in response to the claim.
"The hell do you want, asshole? Mugging me?" His demeanor aggressive, Arnold took a step forward.
But in response to the threat, the four men also stepped forward, enclosing him tighter.
"I'm warning you goons, back the hell off."
"Calm down, Arnold. We're just here to settle tabs with you. I'm sure you know about what I'm talking about." Narrowing his eyes, the man gave Arnold a mean look.
"…" It took him a minute to perceive what that meant, but when he did, his voice rose by
His black-eye throbbed as he remembered the thugs that came to humiliate him yesterday in front of his friends, demanding their debt.
"Didn't you say it yourself? That was yesterday. Now come along and we can talk about this, or would you rather I bring this up near your college?"
"You…" Gritting his teeth, a vein bulged from Arnold's forehead at the threat. "Alright, fuck. There's enough crap about me going around as it is, just tell me what you want."
"It's alright, it might even be good news for you."
As he turned, he gestured to the four men behind Arnold. Seeing that, they formed a line around the young man, escorting him into the alley.
Once they did that, they turned to guard the entrance. They worked efficiently, albeit sloppily.
"Come, come deeper." The man walked deeper into the alley, forcing Arnold to follow him.
Clenching his fists, he looked at the man's back. Arnold was slightly tempted to assault him right then and there as he didn't have his men, but he wasn't stupid. The consequences of such an action would probably be so severe that they'd even affect his family.
After a little while more of walking, once they were out of earshot, the man turned to Arnold.
"What do you want? Money? I gave you guys all that I had yesterday, so what more could you possibly want?"
"Do I look like I lack money to you? I have more than enough. What I'm here to do is actually to offer you an opportunity. One you can't pass up."
"…" Arnold crossed his arms, listening intently to the man.
"More accurately, I'm offering you a chance to clear your debt. I'll give you a decent lump sum, and all you have to do is take part in a little experiment of mine. Sound good?"