The Grand Entrance of Jack

Chapter 7

“Can I sleep in your accommodation?” Jack asked the live-in security guy after he locked all the offices in the hotel, as everyone had gone home for the day.

“Why should I do that? Do you want me to lose my job?” Jack never knew that Mr. Charles had asked all the security personnel never to see him around the hotel vicinity.

He left the premises and was lucky to find a place where he could at least sit down and lean on his back.

Going home was never an option. He could remember that Nancy instructed the security to lock him out the last time they argued, so this time was not going to be an exception.

It has been like forever in just one day for Jack. The thought of how everything happened so fast in a day made the hair on his arms rise.

He couldn't hold back the pain that was rushing through his chest.

He breathed out in skips until he finally exhaled the air in him.

Likewise, he sensed his stomach hurt and felt like he was going to drop dead of hunger the next minute.

The next thing he fell asleep, and the rest of the night went on as a blur.

He opened his eyes after what seemed like a long sleep. He tried to stand up, but was rewarded by slight feelings of pain from the beating he had received from Richard the previous day. But he managed to sit up, he peeped on his wristwatch, and it was already 6 a.m. His stomach rumbled so badly that it got his attention that he had stayed hungry for 24 hours.

He brought his phone, which had been disconnected and fixed it.

Just after he fixed his phone that and put it on, the phone rang.

It was a call from the doctor. Jack’s heart grew heavier as he knew he hadn't been able to get the money for the surgery.

He exhales through his mouth as he places the phone over his ear.

“Doctor, please give me until the end of today. I haven't been able to raise the money.”

"Come to the hospital now, we just lost your sister.” The doctor said from the end of the line.

Jack’s phone almost slipped off his hands.

The hunger he had felt vanished.

A chill ran down his spine as he absorbed the weight of the words from the doctor over the phone.

He halted the next cab that came by and jumped in.

“Speed to the general hospital!” He shouted, tapping the driver’s arm as a tear rolled from his eyes.

In no time, they were right at the general hospital.

He hurried out of the cab, forgetting to pay for his fare. But even if he had remembered, he had no money on him.

The driver felt some pity, judging from the way he was looking and the tears in his eyes, and he didn't find it necessary to ask for his pay.

Jack went straight to the ward where he met his sister the previous day, but he couldn't find her. He rushed straight to the doctor's office.

“Where is my sister?” He asked like a wounded lion.

“You need to be calm, Jack. I am so sorry. We did all we could, but without the surgery, there was no way she would have survived it.”

Jack couldn't withhold the tears; he sobbed so hard.

“You need to pull yourself together, you are a man, and besides, this is not the end of the world.” The doctor said, trying to comfort him.

After what seemed like ages, but two hours of bitter grief. Jack got sick of crying, or maybe he was exhausted. Besides, a man doesn't cry forever. He wiped his tears and pulled himself together a bit.

The doctor came around to check on him where he sat at the reception. He noticed Jack was already calm to a fault, as his sobs grew quieter and quieter.

“Before we can release her body for burial at the cemetery, you will have to pay $500,000 for the services rendered, which includes the life support machine and diagnosis for these few days she was here.” The doctor tried so hard to speak in the softest tone he could so as not to add to his grievances. “But if you don't care about her corpse, we can keep it in the practical ward as a cadaver for our medical students.”

Jack felt bad for what the doctor said to him, but the fact he used a gentle tone was everything.

“Doctor, May I pay in advance, so I can take her corpse to the cemetery? I will finish the payment in no time.”

“Of course you can,” the doctor said.

Jack’s mood lightened a bit, even though he had no chance of getting the money aside from his salary, which wasn't up to a quarter of the money being demanded.

He was expecting his salary, but it hadn't shown yet. He took his phone and called the HR.

“Good day, ma. Are we still expecting our salary today?”

“Who are we? I disbursed the salary to our staff this morning as I was instructed. You are no longer one of us like the boss said.” She rudely responded and hung up immediately.

Jack didn't spare a minute to dial the boss' phone number, as he couldn't believe what the HR said.

It rang the first time, but his boss didn't pick it up. He looked clueless and then dialed the second time. Mr. Charles picked up but kept mute.

“Hello, Sir. I don't understand what HR just said to me.” Jack’s tone took on a cruel edge.

“Don't I deserve to be paid for the month?”

“Please don't talk to me about this again.

You were sacked before the staff received their salary. That implies that you ain't getting a dime from me. In fact, consider that as compensation for your stupidity.” Mr. Charles spoke without any emotion.

Jack clenched his fist in anger and frustration.

“But I worked for it. This is pure wickedness, and you know that.”

“Go to hell and burn to ashes with your goodness, for all I care.” He retorted and cut off the call after his last word left his mouth.

Jack felt a sense of helplessness wash over him. He knew arguing further would be futile, so he didn't bother calling him back.

Jack knew his high hopes had been dashed away. He only gave the doctor empty words that he would claim his sister’s corpse.