That ran later than I thought it would. Having just finished up cleaning the gym by my lonesome, it had already become dark enough to make me fear my life. New York was anything but safe at this time of the night, and I was trying to weigh the pros and cons of getting myself a taxi.
Pros? I perhaps won't get murdered by a serial killer. Cons? I'll have to probably spend one of these hundred bills on said taxi. Urgh, I couldn't care less. I have time to think about it while I go get my beef noodles from Beizhu's. They're made by this charming old man who is the most wise man that I've ever met. Having fought in so many wars, I sometimes come just to listen to his old stories.
He was a wise, wise man who helped me through many difficulties in life. He was like my sensei in those old, black-and-white martial arts movies that they sometimes show in autumn time.
I entered into the small restaurant, immediately receiving the blessing of smelling the fresh aroma of spices and duck fill my nostrils. You wouldn't know it by looking at the exterior, but this place is a diamond in the rough. The food is not only delicious but extremely well priced.
"Beizhu?" I called out his name, my voice running past the paper lanterns hung across the entrance in an upside-down arc. The old man slowly walked out of the kitchen, his back hunched forward. His snow white beard was a nice stroke to his chin and upon seeing me, he nodded.
"The usual?" he asked, his voice tickling the back of his throat, enough to make him cough. He's always been in great health, but recently, I've been worried.
"Yes please. Beef noodles and some green beef curry and rice." He looked at me suspiciously. We both knew that I'd normally not splurge like that. He's scared that I'm going to turn out to be a delinquent like his grandson.
I put up my arms in protest. "Hey, I scored a huge payday, so I'm splurging. Besides, the noodles will be for tomorrow and I'll eat the beef curry tonight." He looked at me, sighed, then went into the back to cook.
I counted each one of the $100 notes that Blaise had given me, and ended up totalling it to $400. Not bad, not bad. I don't mind being seen as her slave, as long as I get paid to live another day, I'll be fine.
Easy money.
After Beizhu came out with my bag full of takeout, I went to pay him but he shook his head, refusing my money. "Buy yourself a pair of new shoes. Those are almost in rags." He was right. My shoes were in threads and I desperately needed a new pair of boots for the winter. I would run to the thrift store but there is one problem; it's closed on weekdays.
I went to hand him the money anyway, but he refused it again. He proceeded to hide in the back kitchen so that I really couldn't do anything and I sighed at the stubborn man who was clearly as tired as I was. I picked up my takeaway and told myself to pay extra the next time I came around.
Maybe he's right. A pair of winter boots would be nice.