Chapter 4

He nearly went mad for what he had seen; his sorrow and depression hid, and the pains he got from the robbers' punches and kicks departed him. He looked around to see if nobody had seen him, but he couldn't see anybody and the guy was out of sight. He repacked and tied the pieces of gold. He hid it under his jacket and staggered out of the place so that nobody would rob him again. Before it was morning, he had been gripped by hunger. The elation of the gold and the pains of his nice night visitors were fighting for dominance in his body.

Splash!

A splash of water landed on his head, and he shook his head in shock at one corner in front of a shop he sat and cuddled before, ‘Who is this again?’ that was the question left in his.

‘Stand up, poor head. If you want to die, go and die at home, not at my shop.’ said the shop owner. He stood up looking embarrassed. He hesitated to go, but he faced the lady. ‘I’m sorry. Please can you help me with some dollars until I return?’

'Return from where? How will you, an outcast, get me my money?’

'I may look poor but I'm not a beggar. I have some pieces of gold which will make me wealthy. I want to sell them; I will return your money when I'm done. I just need some money for food and transportation, and I'm broke because I was tensely beaten and robbed last night. That is why you meet here.’

'Argh! Sorry. But why didn't they take the…the? Okay. I will help you with something, but if I find out you lied to me, I will chop your head off whenever I meet you.’

'Thanks, I won't run away with your money.’

The lady gave him some notes, he smiled thankfully and walked away like a trail trailer.

He checked the bag of gold under his jacket minute after minute along the way; maybe he thought some unseen forces might snatch them away from him. When he got to the gold-selling company, he took a bottle of drink and some snacks and headed in. He met the guard giggling at him.

'Good morning, Sir.' he greeted the guard without considering his misbehavior.

‘Morning, I will have to announce to you that you have missed your destination. With maximum respect, kindly exit.’ the guard said, smirking.

'Mr Man, if you don't mind your tongue and actions, I will make sure you lose both your face and job.’ he said sharply and pushed the guard aside. The guard was so shocked that his ajar mouth almost dripped with saliva while looking at him entering.

‘Who allowed this man in?’ the director of the company yelled. ‘'Do you want him to come and harass our prestigious customers and tarnish the image of our company?’ the security men rushed to seize Jones. And all eyes were swept on him.

'Wait a minute, Boss Man! Don't waste your energy too much. Check the gold,’ he brought the bag and took a piece out, ‘you can do whatever you wish if they are inferior; I will show you I'm Mackin Jones, the true heir of Mackins if they are real gold.’ he challenged. Everybody murmured.

The guard he met at the entrance saw that scenario as a means to revenge and shouted, ‘’He is a madman! You see, the pauper even calls himself the heir of the august Mackin family. Take him out!’ the rest guards carried, taking him out with the bag in his hands. While he was struggling with the guards, the director quickly snatched the piece of gold from Jones and checked it with an electronic gold tester.

He laughed sarcastically while looking at the analysis of the gold. He shook his head as if he meant “This poor man will rot in jail”. Suddenly, he rushed off the machine and bellowed, ‘Guards, Stop!’ He became like a comedian to everybody. They released him. Without looking at or listening to whatever anybody was saying, he surged almost kneeling to Jones, ‘My master, I am a fool for disrespecting you. I deserve whatever punishment you want to give to me, but I beg…please don't go with your great gold because we will never make an enormous sale like this again in our life if you don't shower mercy on us.’ he said, shivering.

All the guards heard that and fell on their knees, begging and regretting their mistakes. The customers were also bewildered and kept mute like a mouse before a hungry cat, expecting Jones, who had stood gallantly, to judge. He looked confidently at everybody who kept silent and unmoved as if they were servants awaiting the King's verdict, and then he faced the director who had been bowing since when he was talking.

'Rise, I forgive you and your company.’ he smiled and lifted the manager. He said, addressing the guards,

'Though I'm poor, I'm no more poor. Not everybody that looks poor is meant to be poor, likewise not all useless people are useless. Some are made poor to be rich, and some are made useless to contain bountiful usefulness. That's why it is always wrong to judge a book by its cover. Rise, dear guards.’

Everybody was unable to keep his/her being flabbergasted by his legendary actions and speech wrapped with kindness. They clapped wholeheartedly for him, ‘Wow! Wow! This is a great man of great encomium.’

He was quickly taken to a special room, given a seat, and provided with cool drinks and sandwiches. He sent someone to the director to come.

He rushed to him, ‘Sir what can I do for you? Are you not satisfied with these refreshments? Please tell me, whatever is amiss, I will make up for it.’ he said boyishly.

'I'm good. I will sell out of the gold…’

The director interrupted him, ‘Why, Sir. I believe you have forgiven us. Or have we committed another offense? Please sell everything to us.’

Jones smiled and said calmly, ‘Calm down and listen to me. Why are you standing on me? Please sit down.’

‘I'm sorry, Sir. I'm fine like this.’ he said, feigning a smile.

‘Okay. I will sell some of the gold and reserve the rest at your company for future purposes. Value half of it and send the money to my bank account.’

'That is a great decision, Sir. I will do as you said and return to you within 5 minutes.’ he departed.

Grin grin grin

Jones got a call after 2 minutes the director left. He picked it.

'Hello, who is that?’ he asked calmly.

'Hello, Sir. Please is this Mr Mackin Jones?’ the voice from the receiver said with curiosity.

'Yes, I'm the one.’

'Good! I am the manager of Shine Bank PLC. We receive a transfer of 7 trillion dollars to your account from Gold Exchange PLC. If you don't mind Sir, please we would like to see you and have special deals with you. Also, we need you to help us sign up for our Elite & Noble Card. You don't even need to stress yourself, we get you covered wherever you are. Please Sir, do you accept our noble offers?’

Jones smiled, ‘Yes, bring it on.’

'Where and when can we meet you, Sir.' he asked with joy in his voice.

'Meet me at the Gold Exchange PLC within 10 minutes. Failure to meet up will result in the decline of your offers.’

'Okay, Sir. Thanks. We won't fail to meet up.’ They hung up the call.

‘I’m done, Sir. The money has been deposited into your account, and here are the documents of reservation and exchange.’ He placed the document before him and he signed. ‘In addition, the company has provided you a car worth 5 million dollars and some high-grade clothes for you to change for a while. Everything is for free.’ He announced with joy.

'Okay, that's good. I appreciate your hospitality.’ He shook hands with the director and smiled. They left the room.

When they got outside, he was so happy to be presented with his car keys and other stuff. By that time, the bank manager arrived. He avoided Jones, who stepped forward to meet him and went to shake hands with the director. 'I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr Mackin Jones.' He said respectfully.

With discontent and awe, the director murmured, ‘He is the person.’ pointing at Jones.

'What are you kidding me?’ He was shocked.

Jones said softly, ‘Yes, I am Mackin Jones. Now return all my money in cash for your cowardice.’

'Argh! Please don't do that, Sir. I'm so sorry, Sir. I don't expect you to be in these clothes, that is why. Please forgive my ignorance.’ He felt so remorseful, looking at the floor. Jones was looking at him, thinking of whether to dismiss him or take pity on him. He shook his head, took the documents from him, and signed.

'Please where can I take you to, Sir?’ the driver provided for Jones asked.

'Kings Hotel.’

'Okay, Sir.' The driver entered the car. By the time Jones wanted to join him, somebody hastened to their mist.

'This is you?’ point at Jones, ‘He is a thief, he must be arrested!’

'Why? How?’ Everybody was bewildered.