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Money For Nothing

Chapter 1

For Jericho, this was just an ordinary day. He woke up at around 5 AM, took a shower, ate breakfast, and rode the train to his workplace. The National Museum in Manila. He worked as a security guard for an exhibit called “The Underworld” which focused on the various burial practices among ancient cultures. Little did he know about the events to happen....

To most people, Jericho was an ordinary person. To his friends, he was known as a kind and helpful friend, always willing to lend a hand. He lived in a small apartment in Manila, earning a salary just enough to support himself. But Jericho had a deep secret, a secret that he had to forget since he was a child. His mother was an abusive alcoholic who didn't care for him. His father left him before he was born. His brother died after getting involved in a gang and being shot by the police. Jericho was also a drug addict, almost dying from an overdose when he was in high school.

As soon as he left his home, he already knew something was amiss. He noticed some of his documents were missing and he always felt like someone was watching him. On the train platform, he noticed a tall, muscular man wearing a coat and tie watching him suspiciously. Jericho thought none of it, he had more pressing issues to worry about. Once he arrived at work, he saw several men who appeared to be observing the museum. They didn't look like your ordinary tourists, they had something different about them but Jericho couldn't tell what.

After a mostly uneventful workday, Jericho finally went home. Once he arrived at his apartment, he noticed something different....

“I had this door locked when I went to work...” he thought. Opening the door he expected to see most of his possessions gone or his apartment ransacked. Nothing was gone. His apartment was clean. “The janitor must've checked on my apartment...” he thought. Once he entered, his phone rang. When he answered, he heard a deep voice threatening him.

“Jericho James Cabildo...” the voice screamed at him. “Who are you?” Jericho screamed back. “Meet me behind your apartment building now.” the voice said in a seriousmanner. “Listen, who exactly are....” Jericho said before the phone hung up.

Jericho dismissed the call as a prank call, knowing his neighbors liked to play tricks on him. A few minutes later, the phone rang again, with the same person on the other end. “I told you to meet me a few minutes ago. Meet me now or I'll have to meet with you...” the voice said. As soon as Jericho heard that, someone threw a rock at one of his windows. Jericho got the message. He left as soon as he could.

Once he arrived, he saw the same person he saw at the train platform greeted him. “Good thing you arrived, or else I would've...” the man said. “Explain yourself now or you'll have to explain it to my gun” Jericho replied before the man could finish.

“Now, now my good man...” the man said reassuringly while lowering Jericho's gun. “There's no need for violence here”. Jericho calmed down and hid his gun and let the man finish his speech. “The reason I came here to meet you is because I... I mean we need you”. Jericho immediately became suspicious and answered back. “Whatever this is about, I don't want to be involved”. “Look here son, I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse” the man said. “Come. Let's take a walk.”

Chapter 2

Jericho and the man walked around the city for a while, discussing the deal. “Aren't you the guy at the train station?” Jericho asked. “Yes, that was me” the man replied. “We've been watching you for quite a while. You've probably noticed that some of your documents were missing. I took them... for research...” the man explained. “Look, I don't want to be involved in whatever you're planning... I'll call the police if I have to...” Jericho said threateningly.

“There's no use in calling the cops. I have everything planned out. Call them and you'll make your life even worse” the man said confidently. “Enough chit-chat. Let's get to the point..”

“OK....”

“The reason I met with you is because you have information. Information that we need.”

“What information?” Jericho asked curiously.

“About the exhibit.”

“You aren't planning to rob the place are you?” By this time, Jericho was getting very suspicious.

“No, 'rob' isn't the right word... 'infiltrate' sounds much better.”

“What's the difference? You're the same as any common criminal.”

“We're not a gang. We're not the same as your everyday purse snatcher. We're professionals. We have standards.” The man said in disagreement.

“What's the difference!? You steal, and that's what matters.” Jericho argued.

“You'll see the difference soon enough. By the way, the name's Pinkerton.”

“Nice meeting you Mr. Pinkerton, but I have to leave. Good night.” Jericho said before he turned around and started walking home.

“I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you're not going anywhere.” Pinkerton said.

“Who's stopping me?” Jerico said defiantly.

“Look, if you just listen....” Pinkerton was already getting impatient.

“Alright. Make it quick.”

“Here's the plan. You tell us about the security system, we take all the artifacts, we sell them on the black market, you get a cut of the profits. Easy and completely risk-free.” Pinkerton explained.

“How can you say it's risk-free?” Jericho asked.

“Haven't you been reading the newspaper? We've done 3 jobs like this in 3 months and we haven't been caught. We've already raked in millions of dollars doing it. None of us has ever been caught. Ever. So, you in or what?”

“How much are you talking about here?” By now, Jericho was still skeptical but already had a little interest in the plan.

“Oh, somewhere between $20,000,000 and $30,000,000. You get about $4,000,000.”

Jericho was awestruck. He thought about all the things he could do with the money. He could quit his job and trade stocks, earning millions, or he could retire early and go to the Carribean and surround himself with money, friends, and women.

“So you in or what?” Pinkerton expected Jericho to say “yes” already. “If you need more details, go to our hideout. We're waiting.”

Pinkerton handed Jericho his business card and then turned around and started walking towards the darkness.

“Oh, and don't even think about calling the cops. We have everything planned out. Don't be stupid.”

Chapter 3

Jericho returned home, wanting to think over his decision of joining or not. He turned on his TV and he saw a report about Pinkerton's previous exploits. Indeed, Pinkerton's group aren't common criminals. They're highly-trained and professional thieves. They plan each operation carefully. They leave no traces. No evidence. No clues.

Jericho glanced at his phone, thinking about reporting them to the police. Pinkerton's voice rang in Jericho's head. “Oh, and don't even think about calling the cops. We have everything planned out.” Jericho had to choose, do the right thing and Pinkerton's threat might come true or join him and take all the money.