Meh...

Alex and Jason were brainstorming ideas to get quick money in not a shameful way. Well, one of them was.

Alex was busy watching videos on his phone. Vanessa had spared his cellphone, she only took Jason's phone. Just his phone can do a lot. It could hack a high-security system in minutes, and that is just one of its properties.

It was the late afternoon. The sun was hot and did not show any mercy on sin city. Frustrated and sweaty, nothing useful came to Jason's mind.

With nothing to do, he started lecturing Alex, who was immersed in his phone.

'This is all your fault, Alex.'

'Yup.'

'I was foolish to listen to your flawed plan.'

'Yeah.'

'This would not have happened if we have left sooner.'

'You're right.'

'We should have gone when I had returned.'

'Of course.'

'You should have also kept some spare money stashed.'

'Yeah.'

'None of this would have happened if you…if you…'

Jason couldn't come up with something else that he could blame him for. All he did was persuade him into joining him. His plan wasn't flawed, it was going great. The one Jason was blaming was in himself, not him, and the poor guy kept agreeing.

'Absolutely.'

Jason saw Alex still kept his focus on the phone.

'Are you even listening?'

'We are discussing which strip club we should make you join, right?'

Alex didn't give a shit about what Jason said.

--This is it.

Jason had enough. In his rage, he judged that Alex was not more than a nuisance plaguing the earth. He took upon himself to eliminate the pest. Alex felt killing intent towards him.

'Hey Jason, are you sensing the killi-'

Alex ducked his head just in time as something went over it, destroying a part of the bench. Jason had picked up a good stone from the fountains and chucked it at Alex with all his might.

'Jason! Calm down, calm down. I get it.'

Jason expected Alex to dodge the first one. He instantly threw another one aiming for his chest this time. Alex rushed to the side. Those were incredibly powerful throw, the bench broke where it hit.

'Ok, I'll help, I'll help. Chill, will you?'

Seeing him being reminded of his place, Jason stopped his barrage. *He just needed to blow some steam off, that's all.*

'But what do I get you in return? Seeing this as all for you, you should give me something in return.'

Jason still had some stones hidden in his pocket, but he chose patience.

'What do you want?'

There wasn't anything Alex needed in particular. But there was something he would like to have. Something his father taught him to stock up on.

'If I get enough money, then you owe me one, deal?'

'Deal.'

Jason wanted this to be over with as soon as possible.

'Then how much money we need?'

'900 $ to get to Tokyo. More if you want to take Felix with you.'

'Easy, wait here.'

Alex twisted his head, looking for something. Spotting it, he went away. He came back with a white chart that said: "Help us by donating 10$."

'Alex, we will NOT beg?'

'We're not begging. We are earning.'

Alex replied. He picked up Felix's cage.

'Follow me.'

Alex led Jason to the center of the mall. There, awaited a classical black musical instrument in the middle. It was an old piano. Though old, it played fine.

Alex put the sign a few feet away from the piano and took off his jacket to place it with the chart, to collect the money. He also took out another chart on which there was written, "Picture with a Falcon 10 $."

'Hold this.'

He handed the chart to Jason. He let Felix out and made him sit on Jason's shoulder. Jason was still dubious of Alex. Alex went to the piano and the board. He placed his finger on a few of the keys to test their strength.

Satisfied, he sat on the chair beside it, adjusting the height. He practiced for a moment in the air, moving his hands, to loosen his fingers.

'I think it went like this.'

Alex touched the keys, playing a basic melody. It was simple yet sweet. A boy stopped to the sound of the piano. He had never seen a live performance of piano and decided to watch. A few minutes later, more people were attracted. When about 8-9 people had gathered, Alex thought the time was ripe.

'Let's get started.'

Alex's finger started moving like a mechanical typewriter. Pressing key after key without a gap. The melody changed. It was faster, yet enjoyable and to put it bluntly, funkier.

What Alex was playing was a style called Boogie Woogie. *Yes, I am aware that the name sounds silly, Who Cares!!?* It was a tune that excites you. A song that got a classic feeling to it but isn't. A piece of fast-paced music that you might see in black and white movies.

Soon, more joined the crowd and noticed the sign. Seeing that the one who was playing the piano so professionally was such a young man, they couldn't help but watch in awe.

The song was perfect for a bar having a drinking competition or a plain old fistfight. Alex didn't compose the song he played. Instead, he recreated it from memory. He had memorized it pitch-perfectly. The money had started rolling in.

The tune had highs and lows, taking the crowd for a ride. Alex then pressed all the keys from left to the right, ending the performance with a snap of his finger.

The crowd applauded tremendously. The majority saw the sign, and knowing that they don't get to see such a brilliant performance every day, played their part.

Till the evening, Alex kept playing. Some he played on request and some by his memory all the while, the bills kept piling up. Jason also collected a reasonable amount. The visitors came to get their photos taken.

As the sun was set, they counted the money they had collected, and it was 870$. Jason couldn't accept that amount. The last flight to Tokyo was only 18 minutes and away, and they still hadn't gathered enough money.

'Jason, wanna see a trick?'

Alex gently held Felix. Thankfully, the bird still hadn't flown away, despite being free for a long time. Alex gently placed his hand under his wing.

'Ta-da.'

Alex pulled out two hundred-dollar bills under his wing. Alex had secretly stashed it inside before they had left for the airport.

'Let's go.'

Jason was feeling a bit regretful about his behavior to Alex today. Alex picked up Felix's cage and started walking.

'Your piano skills were impressive.'

Jason felt he had to compliment him for his effort. It was indeed a marvelous play.

'Thanks, I learned how to play just this morning when I was watching videos on my phone.'

'I see…'

Jason felt guilty at how he treated Alex today. Alex was really trying to help when Jason thought he was doing nothing but wasting time. Maybe, Alex was not so bad after all. Perhaps, he could actually be a nice guy after all. Jason's mind was occupied with such thoughts.

'So, about the favor. Can you pose as Jessica in a bikini for me?'

'No.'

The seed of gratitude that had sprouted has been buried again.