Chapter 23
228words
Even the local fisherman who'd guided Joel to our house sensed the awkwardness.
"Ahem, about my payment, sir? I need to get back to my boat."
Joel squeezed his dripping wallet, water splashing onto the floor, but couldn't extract a single usable bill.
Finally, he reluctantly pulled out a black credit card.
"Do you... take cards?"
In the awkward silence that followed, someone finally broke.
"Pfft!"
Jack burst out laughing, his face a picture of innocence as he approached. Just when I thought he might help Joel,
"Sir, this man has no money. You should report him to the police for fraud!"
Before I could blink, the fisherman had summoned what seemed like the entire village—men and women with fishing spears, nets, and even children with toy weapons.
A mob was forming before my eyes.
Through the chaos, I watched Joel flee from the angry crowd, running like his life depended on it.
Meanwhile, Jack calmly brought over sunflower seeds and fruit for me and my parents as we watched the show.
He even set up three lounge chairs for us.
Better yet, he kept "accidentally" tripping Joel as he ran, then pretending to help him up.
"Joel! Let me help you!"
But as soon as no one was looking, he kicked Joel straight into the ocean.
