48 48. Scam

Asher was about to step through the door when a hand grabbed his shoulder. "I'm heading in first watch your step kid." The skinny boy in a nice shirt pushed passed him and through the door.

"Woooowwwwooooooowwwooo congratulations your aare a winner!!!! Wooowwwoooowww"

The alarms blared sending off flashing lights and confetti all over the entrance. "Hey come on, he just cut our friend in line!" Art had seen the whole thing along with multiple others wanting to enter the store or in line for the register.

"Hey too bad you weren't fast enough. It's just bad luck. No need to make enemies here." The skinny boy in the nice shirt stuffed his hands in his pockets with a triumphant smile. 'Just as planned, this is the easiest bonus I have ever gotten.'

The martial artist came up holding a signed copy of the game. Congratulations to our lucky winner. Please accept this prize and my handshake. We can take so photos after for the website!" The martial artist had known this would happen but was acting it up for the publicity. The yells of cheating had died down almost instantly.

"Yes, thank you. I am indeed a lucky guy. I can't wait to see all the moves you spent hours adding to this game. I can't believe an award winning martial artist like you has their own video game!"

'What did this guy read from a script or something?' Asher looked at the sight skeptically. The others in the line also found the line to be too perfect. This was more sup[ported when the skinny boy pulled out his hands from his pocket and a lanyard fell out.

"Oh hey you dropped this...why does this say you work as an employee for Action Games video game store?" Asher read the company name off of the identification card.

"Did he say employee!? Employees aren't allowed to participate!"

"It's a scam!"

" they are liars!"

"I want my money back!"

"Never mind, I am going home. I don't want to support a fraud."

The line of those waiting to purchase the game dwindled to just two people. The skinny boy was mortified to see the Identification card in Asher's hand. He couldn't believe that he had dropped it.

'I need to salvage this situation. What to do, what to do?' The martial artist was trying ti think up any way to save his reputation and decided that it was going to have to be through the use of a scape goat. "I can not believe that all my hard work would be thrown in my face in such a way! Your store has tried to cheat your customers while I was here. I shall never support this ever again. You young boy. For bringing this to light please accept this game with my signature and my heartfelt thanks."

Without even a move from Asher the martial artist had already forced the game in to one of his hands and started to crush his other hand in a hand shake. The photographer was taking picture after picture of Asher's surprised face loving every moment. This was the exact shot he had hoped for to publish on the website; surprise.

Seeing this some of the crowd of gamers started to return to the store just out of principle. The martial artist had denounced the store and made it look like one bad employee. 'Now to get out of here before they realize I was in on this.'

"You told me that all I had to do was walk through the door and pretend to be the winner and I would get a fifty dollar bonus! You scammed me for publicity!" The skinny boy was furious that he was taking the blame and spouted the truth. It was too late for the martial artist who wanted to run. Naturally the boy was furious that he wouldn't be earning a bonus and had even been used as the villain.

The gamers that had started to return left immediately along with the remaining two in line. One even started to get a refund immediately. There were other stores that sold the game after all. "Asher, let's get going. There is way too much drama here." Art hooked one of Asher's arms while Jane looked at the other. The rescued Asher from the martial artist's grip leaving the two arguing people in front of the store.

"Well hey, I won…" When they were a few blockers down front he store Asher held up the signed game smiling sheepishly.

"I can't believe they tried to cheat everyone there. They are getting what they deserve from doing something so shameless." Jane was shaking her head at these wrong deeds. "You know how we talked about justice? You picking that Identification card up and reading it out loud was justice."

"Exactly, justice isn't always defeating a villain. Exposing the truth to set things right and teach someone a lesson to change their ways can also be justice. Oh and I am sooooo going to use that in my essay." Art jumped in to support Jane but also sneakily decided it was going to be his home work too. "Why are you two looking at me that way?"

"I already finished my essay last night." Jane had been diligent so she could have the weekend free of homework.

"Same here man, I don't want to waste my weekend when I can spend it with friends." Asher hit him with the final blow. Art had been defeated by his friends who had been diligent students.

With the disgruntled Art next to them the trio headed towards the hero corp department store. This was the same as any mall but it was entirely home to hero corp companies. There was anything someone could think of. Need fire resistant clothing because your body is always on fire? They have it. Need a water proof phone since you have gills? They have them. Need to rent a work shop to experiment with your own gear? They have that. Insurance for the house you accidentally dismantle with your telekinetic abilities in your sleep? They have it.

"I always love coming here, last time I came I saw a guy who could breathe fire buying tissues that wouldn't burn. Who thinks to make these things!" Art was surprised that this was on sale here but he was right. Not many people would think of such a thing.

"Look over there. That's this year's super tough phone. They said it could withstand a bomb going off and that it is perfect for anyone with strength type abilities." Jane was fawning over the rainbow version in the display. Asher and Art were caught in the chrome version.

After forcing themselves away from this store window they were again distracted. "Isn't that the famous author that released their novel Master of None? I heard that his main character could do anything and even survived an elf kingdom jail." Art surprised both of them by running up and immediately buying the latest copy of the novel and having it signed. He came back with his bag and a huge smile on his face. "Don't worry, I have all the other books at home, you can borrow them later."

'Who knew that Art was a fantasy junkie…' Asher had no idea that his friend loved this genre.

"Well good for you, but did you guys forget why are here?" Jane tried to sound like a voice of reason but the two boys saw her eyes drifting back to the rainbow phone cases and knew that she was in the same boat as them.

With their goal reaffirmed they headed toward the large design store. This was the base for all the orders for custom made items. " I think I will hang out and browse while you two meet with a representative. I am just going to use some of my savings to buy some combat gloves, pads, and boots. I will hold on to my voucher. I have an idea for it." Asher had made his final decision. The two looked unhappy not to be getting a full custom set of gear with their friend but understood that his power doesn't seem to need custom gear like theirs.

With his two friends off to find a representative Asher found himself browsing the premade items. While he went through the padded gear he found some shirts in his favorite color blue that had been made with a tough metal and rubber weave. They were said to be strong enough to stop a bullet and flexible enough to easily move and stretch in. Since they were on sale he grabbed two pairs. 'These will be perfect for camp. I can wear them under normal clothing so I will be ready when ever.'

He kept on moving looking for a pair of shoes that fit him well. "Excuse me sir. Would you like help finding something?"