Chapter 3 Ted Operation

Martin took the check and glanced at it, noticing that the amount was wrong—it was only 100 US Dollars.

This was supposed to be two weeks' salary.

Recalling the relevant details on his way there, Martin said, "Mr. Max, we agreed on a daily wage of 45 US Dollars, and I worked for you for 12 days over two weeks."

"You never signed a contract with me for a daily wage, only for minimum hourly wage," Max had already considered the situation when Martin Davis got injured and was well prepared.

Injuring one's head, a complex area of the body, could be quite troublesome if not let go, so Max preemptively blocked any escape: "You fell off the roof, damaging Mr. Paul's doghouse, which cost him 1200 US Dollars, and I compensated 1000 US Dollars for it, you can verify with Mr. Paul."

Paul was an old friend Max had known since his teenage years, and had already been tipped off: "Bill and Jones, who worked with you, testified that you drank on the job, disobeyed the operational rules, resisted advice, and caused the accident, resulting in major property damage for the employer, and you bear the primary responsibility."

"Furthermore, your behavior has seriously damaged the company's reputation, leading to the loss of three contracts." Max easily delivered a combo against this poor, dropout, ignorant, young fool.

He took out a folder and slid it towards Martin: "Take a look, this is the contract cancellation agreement generated because of you, your actions cost the company three important clients."

Martin quickly skimmed through it, no apparent issues on the surface, but it was easy for a company to manufacture such documents.

Max showed a benevolent smile: "I haven't taken you to court to claim damages, instead, on humanitarian grounds, I've paid 100 US Dollars, for which you should say thank you."

He also kindly reminded, "If you have objections, you can appeal to the union for arbitration. Sorry, I forgot, you don't have steady work, can't afford the union dues, and have never joined a union."

Martin closed the paperwork and fell into thought; it wasn't looking good.

Max snorted repeatedly through his nose, looking more excited: "Go home, young man. Heal up, the company always welcomes you back."

Martin picked up the check and looked at Max, realizing the usual routes appeared formidable.

Nothing but class and money.

At that moment, the door at the back opened, and a Latino strongman appeared in the doorway.

Martin couldn't possibly drag his injured leg into anything, so he turned and left Max's office.

As he descended the stairs, he searched his memory carefully to confirm what he had seen.

The thing was rampant in Atlanta.

Martin got into his car and spotted a Cadillac parked not too far away, which he remembered as Max's ride.

After considering for a few minutes, he noted down the license plate number, remembered more details about Max, especially the route he had to take home, and started the car, heading that way.

Max lived in a middle-class neighborhood, not too far from Clayton.

Martin drove around the route he remembered, then circled back to Clayton Community, entering the Carters' house.

Elena approached him and asked, "Did that bastard pay up?"

Martin handed her the cashier's check: "I've encountered a tough boss."

"Only 100 US Dollars?" Elena was furious: "Does he see you as a beggar?"

Harris, who had taken painkillers to alleviate his suffering temporarily, said, "What are the odds we win if we apply for arbitration or legal aid?"

Martin sat on the single sofa and replied, "We are poor, time is a massive cost."

All of a sudden, Holle chimed in, "Grab a gun, take him out!"

Lily said sarcastically, "You want to go to jail?"

Elena punched herself in the head and pointed to the bedroom door, "Get in there. Don't you two idiots come out until I say so!"

The siblings turned their heads away and entered the bedroom.

Martin waited for the bedroom door to close before speaking again, "Harris, can you walk normally?"

Harris nodded, "I've taken some painkillers, no problem."

Martin didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "I've worked for Max for two weeks and I know him a bit. He's a family man and leaves the company to go home at 3:30 every day. He always takes the same route, and there's an intersection that's perfect for us to wait for him."

Elena was astonished, "What do you have in mind? A roadblock robbery?"

Harris shrank back, "Robbing Max would mean a 90% chance of ending up in jail. I still want to apply for college."

"What are you two idiots thinking?" Martin's fist slammed hard on the armrest of the sofa, "I am a person with principles and limits!"

Elena was puzzled, "I don't want to go to that godforsaken jail, those two idiots Lily and Holle…"

"Either shut up or listen to me!" Martin quickly went over what he had considered and then said, "In their rules, the poor will never beat the rich. We need to break out."

Harris murmured, "Principles and limits…"

Martin was unfazed, "We have principles and limits, but they must be flexible."

Elena gave the middle finger with both hands but agreed, "The idiot finally got a bit smarter."

Martin grabbed Elena's leg and plucked a few hairs from the Ted doll's pants, asking, "Can you get a Ted suit?"

Elena's eyebrows raised, "No problem."

Martin asked again, "Got any cameras or something?"

Harris quickly said, "There should be some second-hand stuff in Scott's store."

"Good!" Martin instructed, "Elena, you get the costume. I'll go find Scott. Harris, you keep an eye on those two idiots. Don't let them cause any more trouble!"

Elena was the first to stand up. As she walked out, she said, "Lazybones, get the hell moving. Operation Ted starts now!"

She drove back to the promotion mall.

Martin went to the north side of the community and found a small grocery store.

Scott Carter sat at the counter, clutching a bottle of rum and guzzling it. When he saw Martin, he let out a belch and said, "Kid, what are you doing here?"

Martin approached the counter, "Your son Harris broke his arm."

Scott took a swig and said, "Tell him to go to the hospital."

Martin knew Scott wouldn't pay, so he asked, "Got any cameras?"

"No cameras, but there are camcorders," Scott boasted, setting down his bottle and showing off a mini camcorder, "New JVC, just got it last week. Find a buyer for me, and I'll give you a cut."

Martin had seen this model before and took it to toy with, "Does it work?"

Scott craned his neck, "Of course, it works!"

Martin walked off with it, not looking back, "Harris needs it for treatment. I'll return it later."

"Damn it, stop right there, stop!" Scott shouted angrily but didn't chase after him.

Returning to the Carter family home, Elena arrived quickly. The three of them gathered and set off together.

Operation Ted had begun.