V3 Chapter 20 - Hiring a blind lawyer

Matt Murdock POV

I was returning home in hell's kitchen after another failed interview at a lawyer's agency, not that it was surprising as not many were willing to hire a blind lawyer.

I had thoughts about starting my own agency but with my current lack of funds and no reputation, I was struggling to make ends meet.

While walking home I decided to use an alleyway shortcut when I was stopped by three boys(?) who tried to extort me.

One of them even pulled out a knife, what an idiot.

I was thinking about how to deal with them and decided to show them my empty wallet when I heard someone muttering the word 'stupid' and I instinctively turned to look in that direction.

As I focused I sensed it was a child and when others followed to look in that direction I realised my mistake.

When I planned to do something that bot came out of his hiding place and started insulting the guys who tried to threaten me and the fact that he insulted them with how amateurish they were at robbing someone was very amusing.

In just a moment the situation escalated when their leader went to attack the boy seeing him in danger I decided not to hold back any longer.

While maintaining my attention on the child I quickly knocked out the other two men blocking me but it looked like I worried for nothing as he took care of the other guy faster than me.

'Though punching him in the nuts was a mean move but justified self-defence.'

As I looked at the boy he too looked at me and said 

"You are good."

'Was that a compliment?'

"You too." I replied

"Though, it was a mean punch." I continued

"It was justified self-defence, he had a knife." said the boy.

'I have a feeling he could've won without that punch but 'not my nuts, not my problem'.'

Third Person POV

In response to Ryan's defence, all that Matt could say was

"Fair enough."

"I am Ryan Angelo, nice to meet you." Ryan said as they walked out of the alley.

"Matt Murdock, nice to meet you too, Ryan." (MM)

"You didn't need my help, did you?" 

Ryan spoke as he looked at Matt walking alongside him still wearing his shades and holding his walking stick without as much as a crease in his suit.

"Not really." said Matt Murdock with a smile.

Ryan gave him a lookover and asked

"Are you really blind or is it just cosplay?"

"I really can't see." said Matt as he pulled up his shades and showed his eyes.

As Ryan observed he saw that inside his brown Iris Matt's pupils seemed to blend with the rest of his iris's colour and showed no response to light when the shades were removed showing their inability to respond.

"Damn, must've taken a lot of effort." said Ryan.

"What?" asked Matt not understanding his meaning.

"Getting skilled enough to take down those guys without relying on sight and only using other sense." Ryan explained.

"Yeah." 

Matt said not sounding too keen on the topic.

Realising that Matt didn't want to talk about this Ryan changed the topic.

As Matt and Ryan walked out Ryan sat on a bench by the road and took Matt to sit down.

  "What do you do for a living?"

"I was coming back from a job interview just now, I just finished law school this year." said Matt.

"Did you pass?" (Ryan)

"Nah." Matt replied slightly dejected

"How were your grades?" asked Ryan.

"Distinction, best in my year in whole Columbia University," Matt said with pride.

"And you were rejected?" questioned Ryan surprised

"Yeah." Matt said in a dejected voice as he leaned back on the bench.

"For Blindness?"

Said Ryan as he guessed the reason.

"Yeah." Matt affirmed.

"Can you read normal documents?" asked Ryan.

"Yes." (MM)

"How?" (Ryan)

"I can sense what's written on the paper by the fee of it on my fingers," said Matt Murdock.

Ryan was surprised by his answer and he asked

"Wanna work for me?"

"What do you do?" asked Matt Murdock surprised.

"I do nothing, I only give orders and others do the work, I own an investment company."

Ryan said as he tried to act cool.

"Why hire me?" Matt Murdock asked as he put his hands together.

"Well, from what I can understand by looking at the whole incident, you initially planned to avoid conflict but you attacked to protect me from being hurt."

Ryan explained.

Despite being surprised by Ryan's observation ability Matt didn't react much.

"So?"(MM)

"So you're a good guy." (Ryan)

"Thanks but what does it have to do with me getting the job?"

  said Matt as he didn't get the answer to his question.

"Cuz, good guys gotta stick together because bad guys always form gangs and since you passed with distinction, you can't be that bad."

Ryan explained as he tried to sound persuasive though he mostly just wanted to help Matt.

Matt chuckled at Ryan's reasoning and spoke

"Sounds fair. How's the pay?"

"For a lawyer? Good. For a lawyer plus a sparring partner? Better." said Ryan.

"How good for just a lawyer?" (MM)

"It will keep you afloat and the rest depends on how well you perform." 

Ryan said as he tried to discourage him from that option.

"I will have to decline, I am planning to start my own agency, though it might be troublesome for now." said Matt as he shared his own plans.

"How about this, you come to work for me and we make a clause in the contract where you can start your own agency but this will only happen if you agree to be my sparring partner."

Said Rya as he tried to entice Matt into working for him.

"I can't be always available, I have a little side job."

Matt explained.

"We can deal with that but you have to inform me beforehand in case you can't make it." said Ryan without backing down.

"Sure, you got a deal. Should I call you boss from now on?"

Matt said as he realised that Ryan wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Nah, technically I am minor so I am not legally your Boss yet." (Ryan)

"So who am I working for?"(MM)

"My Grandfather is the legal authority, I will give you his contact. Tell him I gave you the number I will inform him beforehand, and we will discuss your contract when he comes to New York in a few days." (Ryan)

"Sure." (MM)

"By the way, where did you learn to fight?"

asked Ryan as they both got up to go their separate ways.

"Why do you wanna know?"

asked Matt not immediately answering his question

"Well, why do you think I am paying better for you to be my sparring partner?"

Ryan answered with his own question.

"So If my pay is better because of that how much will I be paid if I am a lawyer, a sparring partner and someone who introduces you to my teacher?"

Said Matt as he extended his hand for a handshake.

"Then you won't have to worry about money for we will be best buddies from now on."

Ryan answered as they shook hands