Chapter 17: To Shut Up

"Someone is looking for me? Who is it?" Richard asked, surprised that anyone would be searching for him, as he didn't know anyone in the city.

"I'm not sure. They said it was your friend, so I brought them here," the waiter replied before leaving.

Richard washed his hands, removed his apron, and headed to the lobby.

When he saw Hardy, his remaining eye brightened with recognition. "Hardy, I didn't expect it to be you."

Hardy smiled and stepped forward to give Richard a hug. They had been comrades in a small unit for several years, just like Bill. Richard had been severely injured and retired, and they had been separated for over a year.

"How have you been?" Hardy asked.

Richard sighed, "You see, without any other skills and with one eye gone, this is the only job I can get."

"Richard, would you be interested in working with me?"

"Working with you? What are you doing now?"

Richard looked at Hardy with curiosity.

"I'm in the Jewish gang in Los Angeles," Hardy answered directly. He had no reason to lie to an old comrade.

Richard was taken aback. "Hardy, you've joined the gang?"

Hardy nodded. "Bill brought me in."

"That guy Bill joined the gang too?!" Richard exclaimed.

Hardy shared his story. "I retired and returned to Orange County after my injury. With no suitable job, I worked as a waiter. After a violent incident involving a female colleague, I ended up in prison, but avoided jail due to a mental health certificate. After that, no one would hire me. Then Bill called, and I went to Los Angeles."

"I initially sought a decent job, but after Bill was severely injured in a conflict with the Spaniards, I avenged him, killed six people, and joined the Jewish gang to help manage the neighborhood."

Richard was surprised. "I read in the newspaper that a man named Cook, who helped the Spaniards, was killed at home. That was you?"

"Yes, and the newspaper also mentioned the Jewish gang's recent clashes with the Irish. It's quite intense."

Hardy nodded in agreement. "Due to the conflict, I'm short on manpower. I came to see if you'd be interested in joining. If not, I understand."

Richard hesitated. "Hardy, I'm not afraid of gang conflicts. I've faced worse in battle. My only concern is my family. If my mother finds out I joined a gang, she'll be upset. She's always wanted me to live a stable life."

Hardy patted Richard on the shoulder. "Then I'll catch up with my old friend today. I'll wait for you to finish work, and we can meet up in the evening."

"Okay," Richard agreed with a smile.

As they chatted, the restaurant's fat boss emerged from the kitchen and saw Richard talking with Hardy. His anger flared.

He had just seen the mountain of dishes left unattended in the back kitchen, with Richard absent. After inquiring, he found out that Richard had gone to meet a friend.

The boss stormed over and pointed at Richard, cursing, "Richard, look at the pile of dishes! You're supposed to be working, not chatting. Are you here to collect a paycheck to socialize? If you don't want this job, maybe I should find someone else who can work with one eye."

Richard stood up, gritting his teeth. "I'm going back to work now."

The boss sneered. "Not only have you delayed your work, but I'm also deducting two days' wages."

Richard clenched his teeth tighter. His salary was already low, just $120 a month. With his expenses for living, medical care, and supporting his family, every dollar counted. Losing two days' pay would make things even tougher.

He couldn't continue like this.

His eye injury had been a constant burden. The surgery he had received in the army wasn't successful, causing frequent inflammation and requiring long-term treatment. A major operation would be needed for a complete cure, which was expensive. He also wanted a prosthetic eye to avoid looking unusual and possibly secure a normal job, but that too was costly.

The money he made from washing dishes would never be enough.

Hardy's offer to join the gang seemed like a chance to change his life, despite the possible disappointment from his mother.

The boss continued to berate Richard. Suddenly, Richard turned to Hardy and said firmly, "Hardy, I've changed my mind."

As a former sniper, maturity, calmness, and determination were crucial qualities Richard possessed. Though his post-injury experience had been disheartening, he felt a renewed sense of self-confidence at that moment.

Hardy smiled. "Great."

At that moment, Hardy felt grateful to the irate boss. Richard wouldn't have agreed to join the gang if not for the boss's harsh treatment.

"Richard, why are you still standing here? Get back to the kitchen and clean up all the dishes and the entire back area," the fat boss ordered, his annoyance escalating.

"Shut up!" Richard said calmly.

The boss was stunned. He hadn't expected Richard to respond this way and thought he must have misheard.

"What did you say?" the boss demanded.

Richard's eyes narrowed. "I told you to shut up!"

The boss's anger flared. "You're fired! And don't expect any wages for this month. Now, get out of my restaurant!"

As the boss cursed Richard, Hardy drew a revolver and aimed it at the boss's mouth.

"Be quiet! If you keep talking, I'll blow your head off," Hardy warned.

The boss, terrified, nodded quickly.

Several diners in the restaurant watched in shock, holding their breath as the situation unfolded.

Hardy looked coldly at the boss. "Pay my friend his salary, now!"

The boss nodded and went to the bar to retrieve the cash, handing it all to Richard.

Richard counted the money. "I've worked for 20 days this month. I'm taking only what I'm owed. The rest stays here."

He left the extra money on the table.

"Hardy, let's go," Richard said.

Hardy smiled and walked out of the restaurant with Richard. The boss let out a sigh of relief as they left.

Back in Hardy's car, Richard suddenly laughed. "You know, Hardy, this is the most enjoyable moment I've had in over a year. I think my decision was right."

"The past days were so grim!" Richard added.

The two found a bar, had a good drink, then drove to Richard's rural home. They told his family and friends about the job offer in Los Angeles, with a salary three times what he was earning now. His family was thrilled and asked about the job.

"Transportation driver. It's a great opportunity," Richard said with a smile.

The next day, Hardy and Richard left. As they drove, Richard asked where they were going next.

Hardy smiled. "You're the first, but I need to find more people. Our next stop is Henry's place."

Henry had been in the same unit as Hardy. He was clever and served as an investigator for the team.

"Is Henry retired too?" Richard asked eagerly.

"Yes, just later than you."

"I spoke to him the day before yesterday. He's now working in a feedlot, but he agreed to join us."

"Let's hurry. I really miss him and hope to have all our old comrades together," Richard said.

Hardy smiled. "We'll be reuniting with many of our brothers soon."