Episode 2: Another friend joins

Lazador’s perspective:

After the chat, the group broke off and Dull drove back home. Meanwhile, Tiles and I discussed on the way. Tiles was full of praises for Dull; he said that he was very successful, that he was very good at the business, that he was very friendly, and so on. Sounds like such a man was very great indeed. I still have my doubts, as the guy was a total stranger to me. But since I trust Tiles, I will trust Dull too.

When I was about to go home, Tiles said that we will meet Dull again tomorrow night, at the same location, at 7p.m.I was reluctant at the time,because I was still confused by the drawing of squares Dull showed. But I agreed to meet. After all, this could be my big break.

2nd night:

I went to the fast food restaurant again, and waited for them. At 7pm sharp, I was the one who arrived. Work obligations?

Around 5 minutes later, I saw Dull. He smiled towards me and said Hi.I said to myself: “Get used to him. Get used to him. Get used to him. Damn it!” Somehow, this stranger gives me the creeps, despite myself being a martial artist.

This time, we had a brief chat before he moved on to his agenda.

Dull: ” Today I will get you started. We are having a Team Call Session tonight. Basically, we will be calling our contacts to ask for a appointment to meet up to show the paper.”

Lazador:” Show the paper? what paper?”

Dull: ” Remember I drew some squares last night? “

Lazador:”….erm…yeah.”

Dull:” We call that process showing the paper.“

Dull then passed 2 piece of paper to me. One is a script, catered for the call. The other was a name list with a 101 blanks. Dull then guided me through the script and told me how to talk during the call. I didn’t know I had to do this, and I was quite reluctant. But somehow, Tiles’ praises for the man instilled a bit of respect for him. When I was about to call, some other people showed by, including Tiles. There were 8 people, including me. There were Dull and his wife, Mitch. And a married couple, Cate and Lang. And a not-married couple, Ken and Penny. We all exchanged some casual but boring conversation like “What are you doing?”. Since I am not familiar to networking like this, I felt bored. They asked me the same questions Dull did. But, they were friendly people.

Soon, all of them were picking up their phones. Even Tiles did. Now, the only ones not calling were Dull and me. He asked me to write down my contact list, as best as I can. From that list, I was to at least call one friend tonight to ask for a meet-up. They call it an appointment. After scanning the list, i decided to call a close friend.

Lazador:” Hey, Sid. Are you convenient to talk now?”

I found that it was exactly the same words Tiles used on me. No wonder I found his call to be a bit bizarre.

Sid:” Yeah, I am.”

Lazador:” Hey, buddy, if you were to have extra time, would you be open to looking at more ways to make money?”

Sid:” Yeah, I sure would.”

Good, I thought to myself. Everything is flowing smoothly,like in the script

Lazador: “Is it okay for me to meet you tomorrow afternoon or Friday evening?”

Sid:” I’ll be more free tomorrow afternoon. What is it about?”

I look at the script and said” It is a demand and supply distribution opportunity.”

Dull grinned and gestured “good” to me.

Sid:” Can tell me the company name?”

Lazador: “DMC.”

Sid:” Devil May Cry?”

Lazador:”No, its called Der Malice Corporation.”

Sid:” Sounds sort of evil to me.”

Lazador:” Is that so? How about 3pm tomorrow at Jew Long Point?”

Sid:” Okay~~~”

Lazador:” Okay, see you then. I’ll be bringing a friend along ’cause he knows the business better.”

As with the undisclosed standardised plan, I would meet Sid first. Wearing my daisukina katana at my belt, I walked around inside Jew Long Point, trying to find Sid. Then, as with the standardised plan, I would find a quiet place, with no noisy people around and sit down, catch up a bit, then call Dull and ask him to appear.Damn, i hate standardised stuff, but for the sake for my financial freedom, and that of my friends’, i’ll bear with it.

Everything went well. We sat down and talk a little about our Resurrection. Our wings have been torn away for 2 years, and we finally regained the ability of flight. This happens to almost every male when we reach the ripe age. I know Sid quite well, and know that he is not exactly well-to-do, although he is better off than me.

After a while, Dull appeared. I’ve called him before sitting down with Sid. Both Dull and his wife appeared, and we stood up as I introduced them. Then, we sat down again, as Dull and Mitch talked to my friend. I noticed they asked the same questions!!I wonder if they are robots.Then, Dull took out a piece of paper, like last time, and started drawing squares. I was going dizzy from looking at the squares after a hard training session with my swordplay.

It seems like an eternity when Dull have finished the drawing.

Dull:” So what do you think of the plan? Is it practical?”

Sid:” I think it looks practical to me.”

Lazador ( thoughts):” Whoa! He is interested?”

Dull:” Would you be open to joining DMC and trying it out?”

“Okay,I’m in. ” He said as he smiled to D and M.

[note: Lazador is 1/3 Japanese. "daisukina" means favourite, so actually he means "favourite katana.",his sakabato]

Episode 1: Der Malice Corporation

The sweat on the floor showed the white reflection of the moon.

The sword sang as Lazador swung them with force.  An avid sword lover, Lazador has been training hard at his swordplay under the guidance of a friend, Zet, who claim to be 210 years old. Much practice has made him quite skillful at handling his sword, a sakabato, reverse-edge katana.

“Hitori de wa, tooi ashita wo
Yoake no mama de, koesou de”

The phone rang. Putting back the sakabato swiftly into its scabbard, Lazador picked up the phone.

Voice: “It’s me, Tiles.”

Lazador: “Whats’ up, Tiles?”

Tiles:” Are you convenient to talk now?”

Lazador: “Yeah, although I  would prefer to get back to my sword.”

“Tiles:”……..”

Lazador:”……..”

Tiles:” OK, I have a question for you. If you have the time, would you be interested in looking at more ways to make money?”

Lazador: “You know I sure will. What’s the plan?”

Tiles: ” A group of businessmen is setting up a base here, and they are looking for people to expand their business. Would you be open to take a look?”

Lazador: “OK, when?”

Tiles:” How about I meet you at Lot 21 in 2 hours time? I’ll be bringing a friend along, ’cause he knows the business better.”

Lazador:” OK. I’ll be wearing my sword. It will be easy to spot me.”

Tiles:” Don’t. My friend is a very important person. We are talking business, don’t bring your sword.”

Lazador:”I can’t leave my sword. I’m a swordsman.I need to bring my sword everywhere I go.”

Tiles:”……………………….”

Lazador:”……………………”

Tiles: “Alright. See you in two.”

Wearing a jeans and a casual polo tee, and a sword worn at the belt, curve facing down, Lazador went to Lot 21. Shortly later, Tiles was in sight, in front of a fast food restaurant. The two went in and found a spot.

Lazador removed the sword from his belt, and had it rest it on his right shoulder. After a short catch-up, a stranger arrived. He wore formal corporate attire, and looks  like a businessman or manager. He was dark, but far from fine-looking. In fact, his presence spooked Lazador a bit, to the extent that Lazador released the catch of the sword with his right thumb, by instinct.

????:” Hi, I’m Dull. I’m sure Tiles have already told me about you”.

He smile as he reached his hand towards Lazador. Lazador shook his hand, and smiled politely.

Dull:” So what are you doing this point of your life?”

Lazador:” Well, both of us are waiting to get in to the same University. NUZ, National University of Zingaphors. “

Dull:” I see. You own a sword, that is very interesting. Rare to see it these days.”

Lazador:”Yep, it is. 5 years later, it would probably be common sight. Swords will come back into society.”

Dull:” Very interesting. You have a big dream. And it is dreamers that we are looking for.”

Dull continued to introduce himself. He is nearly 35 years old, and has been teaching Chinese at a English School. According to him, the income learned from his business is about to be good enough to retire his wife.  Coming from a poor family, Lazador was impressed by this. Dull then began to show them the picture.

He took out a blank piece of paper, and started to draw squares on them. Then. he drew lines to link the squares together. He went on to explain that, by working through a simple, tested and proven system, people would be able to get a passive income nearing $10,000 per month after a commitment of 3 to 6 years. Lazador was IMPRESSED. This was something he needed to get; a income source that will solve all financial problems, to grant him a good life, and to open his library of swords.

“So, would you be interested to join us?”, Dull asked, with a smile. No, actually it looks like a grin.

“Of course!Show me more!”, Lazador, answered with a glint in his eyes, which looked warrior-like.

“Welcome to Der Malice Corporation!”