CHAPTER 159: THE UNEXPECTED CALL

The road to Pressley and Guns was frustrating and nerve-wracking for both Marcus and Irene. For different reasons.

Marcus had exhausted his monetary options. Irene insisted on asking her father. Even though he would have asked the Keepers, Hasan, Baran, and Beau didn't look rich. And for the others Marcus didn't trust them wholeheartedly. After the Callahan disaster he wanted to pick his allies for life and death situations more carefully.

If this didn't work he was going to ask Mr. Gurbanov through Numan. But that felt like admitting defeat.

The customizable purse and bag business was a great idea. Baran was making excellent bases for a cheap price and combining them with jewels here would offer customers endless combinations. It was bound to catch on but much further along the line. Right now he needed money to collect the mind-freeing machines and for the portal. And he had to pay Hurley Hudson for his company's work. He was swamped and a little bit of cash would solve everything.

Mr. Pressley welcomed them to his office with a stern look. His face was granite. No warmth. No sympathy.

On the way to his office Marcus waved hello to his old colleagues. Irene was shy, saying hi and how are you to her ex-coworkers. They exchanged pleasantries but the awkwardness hung in the air.

When they entered Marcus started explaining the situation. He skipped the details of paying nearly fifty thousand dollars for mind-freeing devices with no effect on this world. And the sink investment for Ephus. His phone buzzed while he was explaining how he got scammed.

He muted it.

Irene cut in. "Dad it happened because of me. I didn't do my research. Trusted too easily."

"No no it is not her fault. I take full responsibility." Marcus said quickly.

"Is the police not involved?" Mr. Pressley asked. His stern face gave no sympathy.

"It is sir but...." His phone buzzed again. He squeezed the ignore button through the fabric of his pants. "...they said it is unlikely to get our money or jewels back."

Mr. Pressley leaned back in his chair. "I can clear your whole debt to Hurley Hudson. It seems you two are still together. I am not against that. But I want Irene to return to my home and take regular tests. Her wellbeing is more important."

Irene bowed her head and gulped. Marcus saw clearly this wasn't what she wanted but expected from her father.

His phone buzzed once again.

"You two don't know anything about running a business." Mr. Pressley continued. "Marcus come work here again. I can offer you better positions."

Marcus took his phone. "Sorry I am in a meeting." He tried to close the call but a voice from the other side stopped him.

"Marcus don't hang up. This is Gerald."

Marcus raised his hand to Mr. Pressley, gesturing that this was important. He was afraid of a problem with the machines. He stepped outside the office.

"What is it Gerald? There is no problem right?"

"Yes there is."

Marcus's heart sank. "What is it?"

"There is no patent on this."

"Is that a problem?" Marcus asked, confused.

"It means if I produce and sell it I won't have to pay you anything."

"Sure you can do that." Marcus was still confused about why this mattered right now.

Gerald laughed. "Marcus you have no idea how valuable this is."

"Gerald I am in the middle of something important."

"Marcus, Marcus, stop. This is more important."

"How? What?"

"One of my guys said working under the influence of the prototype made him very calm and happy. So I tried it myself. Just like that I was productive. Like being on Adderall."

"Gerald I really don't..."

"Marcus this is a revolutionary machine and you don't know it. I took it to a psychiatric clinic to show it to doctors. You won't believe it but after seeing its effects and results one theorized that the machine constantly disrupts and regulates our brain waves. And as a result of that it regulates our hormones."

"Okay." Marcus said. He was still hung up on the Mr. Pressley meeting. "What does that mean?"

"It means Marcus I am going to be a billionaire selling this. Do you want that also?"

"What?" Marcus was now fully puzzled.

"Marcus I am not a saint but I consider myself a decent person."

"Gerald I am really missing the point. What are you trying to say?"

"Even though you don't have a patent or anything to bind me, this device will make me super rich. So I am offering you twenty percent of my company and ten dollars for each unit sold from your device."

"Wow. That's generous." Marcus was more puzzled than ever.

"Also I am going to return your initial payment and won't charge you for your order. And I'll deliver to your desired location free of charge. They are nearly ready. I can send them to Chicago this weekend."

"Deal." Marcus said without hesitation. "But... I need you to send them to Turkey. Urfa. To my friend Numan."

"Turkey?"

"Yeah."

"Sure why not. It isn't the strangest place I've delivered. Will he sell them in Dubai?"

"Something like that." Marcus was getting bold now. If he could get forty thousand on top of his initial twenty-five thousand he would clear all his debts apart from his father's loan. "Also can I get an extra forty thousand apart from my initial twenty-five?"

"Uhhh.." Gerald paused. "I... It will put me in a tight spot."

"Sorry Gerald. But if it wasn't life and death I wouldn't ask. I was scammed in my other business and I need to pay my manufacturer."

"Sure. I will send another forty thousand. We will be millionaires. Why not." Gerald's cheer returned. "Okay see you later partner."

Marcus was over the moon. He realized the whole shooting range employees were staring at him through the windows. He had been pacing and gesturing wildly during the call.

He returned to Mr. Pressley's office.

Irene looked destroyed. Beaten down. Just like her old self at the end of herself before she had started using again.

"What do you say Marcus? Irene agreed already." Mr. Pressley said.

"Thank you for your generous offer but we are respectfully declining." Marcus reached for Irene's hand. "Come on sweetheart. Let's go home."

Irene raised her head, worried. "But Marcus the portal, the machines..."

"All taken care of. I will tell you on the road. Our business is saved."

Mr. Pressley stood up. His face reddened. "Marcus you are doing it wrong. This stupid pride will crush you and my daughter. Stop pulling her into your broke and aimless life."

Marcus raised Irene to her feet. "Mr. Pressley right now whatever I say you won't believe me. Just like you only believed Alex. But you won't wait long. In a couple months when you see our success you will understand."

"What the hell are you..."

Marcus cut him. "Don't worry. I know you are a good person so I am not going to hold any grudges. We can still have a good relationship. But with Irene you need to step up and try harder."

"Marcus!" He shouted at their backs. "You are in the wrong again!"

They left the office. The fluorescent lights of the hallway seemed brighter somehow. Hope did that.

But Alex was waiting in the parking lot.

He leaned against his car, arms crossed. A cruel smile twisted his face when he saw them.

"Finally crawling back?" Alex sneered. "Knew you'd fail. Losers always do."

Marcus tried to walk past. Alex blocked him.

"Your girlfriend," he eyed Irene with obvious hunger, "is going to come home eventually. When you can't provide for her. When you can't protect her..."

"What is your problem?" Marcus asked. "Seriously. Something loose in your head?"

Alex ignored Marcus and talked directly to Irene. "If you want the real thing like you used to, I have dust. Good dust." He smiled.

Marcus's fist connected before he realized he'd swung. Alex staggered back, blood streaming from his nose.

"You piece of..." Alex reached for his belt. Produced a handgun.

Marcus froze.

The gun pointed at his chest. Alex's eyes were wild. Humiliated. Furious.

"ALEX!"

Mr. Pressley's voice thundered across the parking lot. He strode toward them, face purple with rage.

"Put that weapon down RIGHT NOW."

Alex hesitated. His hand shook.

"Pulling a gun on civilians. On my daughter and her boyfriend. You are crazy."

"Mr. Pressley..." Alex tried to defend himself.

"They were right. Everyone was right. I always thought they were exaggerating and ignored some of it because you were a vet. But you're done." Pressley's voice was cold as ice. "Finished. Get off my property before I call the police."

Alex looked between them. Realized he'd lost everything. And fled.

Pressley turned to Marcus. "Are you hurt?"

"No. I..." Marcus took a shaky breath. "Thank you."

Pressley nodded once. His eyes moved to his daughter. Something shifted in them. Something like regret.

"Take care of my daughter."

"She doesn't need me." Marcus said quietly. "She just needs trust."

They walked to the car. Irene was trembling. But when she looked at Marcus her eyes were clear.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you too." He opened the door for her. "Now let's go home."