Chapter 40: Civilized Show of Force

By 10 AM, cars began to pull into the public parking lot near the Peachtree Street Plaza.

Over twenty people from the Beast House, including Martin and Bruce, donned vests bearing the club's name and dragged various materials for the gathering to the destination.

Martin shouted, "Sons, let's show them our might."

The club members responded enthusiastically and got busy with their tasks.

Hart suddenly ran over with a flag, saying, "Daddy Martin, if you hoist yourself up, you'll look absolutely majestic!"

Carrington and Ivan joined in, "Come on, come on! Let's hang Daddy Martin from the tree."

Martin glared around and pulled out his trump card, "You idiots, anyone who talks too much, I'll dock their allowances, both the club's and the Freedom Society's!"

That got everyone to settle down; the two allowances amounted to over $100 a day.

"Here come the beauties," Hart said excitedly.

Two buses pulled up by the roadside, and nearly a hundred women in their twenties and thirties got out, led by Ella and Monica, to join the Beast House members.

Carrington noted, "Some of them look familiar."

Hart recognized them, "Those are the wild ones who came to the club last time."

Monica walked over and gave Bruce a passionate kiss, causing the Beast House members to whistle continuously.

Seeing the hormone-charged men and women not taking things seriously, Martin yelled, "Focus on the task! You've got plenty of time to fool around after the event ends."

With more people came more chaos, making crowd control a challenge.

Martin had to pull out another trump card, "Anyone who messes around during work loses their free food!"

That finally brought some order.

Flags were raised, banners were unfurled, and posters were put up.

Martin asked Ella, "When will the media reporters arrive?"

Ella responded, "It'll be a while."

Martin gave Bruce a look, and the Beast House folks started contacting their family and friends, asking them to call news hotlines.

Dozens of dollars were at stake.

Bruce frowned, "Man, your plan's not working; no one's paying us any mind."

Martin said, "How about you streak? That'll make headlines for sure."

Instinctively, Bruce pulled up his shirt, revealing his gun holster.

Martin yanked him back, "Old Bruce, now's not the time to act like a civilized person."

Bruce responded, "I just want to see how much crap is in your brain!"

Martin pulled out his phone as it rang. Elena was calling: "Milton left the training center. He's in an old black Lincoln Continental."

Seeing Martin hang up, Bruce asked, "Is that SOB on his way?"

"Should be here any minute," Martin told the club members, "Guys, the bastard who insulted us is almost here. Get ready!"

He looked at Ivan and Blondie, "You two, blow those whistles as loud as you can. Old Bruce, hide that big head of yours. It's not your turn yet."

...

The black Lincoln Continental was heading towards headquarters.

Inside the car, Milton gave his assistant instructions, "Get the article out quickly. Make sure the new round of free skills training is bigger--we need the whole country to know we're the ones who get things done."

The assistant mentioned, "We just got a call. The Beast House people are protesting in front of the headquarters."

Milton barely glanced at such trivial matters, "Beast House, that club for male strippers?"

"A newly recruited bunch," the assistant briefly explained.

Milton nodded slightly and casually said, "Find an opportunity to ruin their reputation."

As the Lincoln Continental approached the main gate of the headquarters, Milton turned slightly and saw the protesters. The men's shirts bore the words "Beast House."

After a quick glance, Milton shifted his gaze but then heard a piercing whistle.

Following the sound, he saw that new banners had been unfurled by the protesters.

"Two ex-wives cheated because you're useless."

"A man who can't keep his wife can't lead a family."

"Jessica and Lena send their regards: You're a loser!"

Though it didn't name him directly, Milton instantly understood.

He recalled the most humiliating moments of his life--his two ex-wives not only cheated on him but brought their lovers home and had fun right under their wedding photo.

The hardest of hardliners aren't born that way for no reason.

In the midst of the protesters, two men suddenly turned around and pulled down their pants, exposing their buttocks.

One had "Lena" written on it, and the other "Jessica."

The assistant gave a discreet signal to the driver, who sped up, entering the headquarters gate.

Milton got out of the car, looking as composed as ever, and walked towards the office building.

But the sharp whistle at the entrance kept reminding him of what his ex-wives did.

Yet, Milton was seasoned enough to maintain his composure.

...

After the ruckus outside, Martin said, "Hart, Carrington, stop loitering here."

Shaking his butt, Hart pulled up his pants, "Daddy Martin, you owe me an extra serving of oxtail stew for lunch!"

Martin promised on behalf of the Freedom Society, "Don't worry; everyone gets one. Think up new tricks for tomorrow. If not, I'll get Old Bruce to stick a cow's tail on you all!"

Hart thought for a moment and said, "Don't we have photos of his two ex-wives? Turn them into poster flags and hang them on the streetlights at the entrance. The SOB will be irritated for sure."

Others quickly chimed in, "Good idea."

Someone else added, "Include the current wife too!"

"Great, great!" Martin said, "And when the APD arrests you, no one's going to bail you out."

Ella noticed a TV news truck approaching and warned, "Straighten up, here come the reporters."

In her mind, she thought, this is truly a low-class event; Ms. Gray shouldn't be here.

Martin said, "Hart, fasten your belt. Do you really want to sell your butt to the reporters?"

As the first news outlet arrived, more reporters followed suit.

The Freedom Society had arrangements for media reporters, and Ella and Martin both gave interviews.

Martin mainly spoke about Beast House, touting it as a symbol of freedom.

In the afternoon, as Milton's Lincoln Continental was leaving, the piercing whistle sounded again.

Milton remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

The gathering ended for the day. On the way back, Martin and Bruce shared a car.

"Old Bruce, it's all on you for the next few nights."

"The bar's all yours," Bruce said, then asked, "Are you sure he'll go to the Wild Forest Bar?"

Martin replied, "Not certain, but I heard he goes there a dozen times a month for a drink."

Bruce sighed, "Why do I always fall for your crap, ending up doing such ridiculous stuff?"

Martin's thick skin showed, "You said my head's full of crap. You're a piece of crap too. Crap and crap are a match made in heaven."

*****

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