Chapter 5: Hungry
Ring-
As Ari opened the door, a loud bell rang.
Seeing the elderly Korean woman at the register immediately frown while picking up the old-style phone and begin dialing, Ari held up the cash and his ID with both hands in the air as he began to explain.
"I'm not on drugs or crazy. I got beaten up and thrown in a dumpster. I have cash and would like to take a bath and buy some clothes. Is that okay?"
"Hmmm." Seeing the old woman's doubtful expression, Ari rushed to explain.
"I promise I'm not lying! You can check my ID. I'm a high school student! Also, I have a referral card as well."
"Let me see the ID. Walk slowly and keep your hands up."
Approaching closer, Ari held out his high school ID, and then his state ID, which had a small silver star on it.
"Flip the State ID." He quickly flipped it as ordered, and she quickly scanned it with a handheld scanner before nodding.
"Okay. I'll charge you extra because you're filthy and smell bad. As for clothes, we only have a spa shirt, shorts, and slippers for purchase. The total is 50 dollars. What's your size?"
Wincing at the steep price, Ari glanced down at this disgusting clothing before responding. "Medium."