Chapter 28: The Crippled Mouse

The duo can be seen again entering into a large and high building which seemed more like a small arena. As they entered, there was a lot of noise as people were cheering from low to the high floors and what was the centre of attraction was the huge caged ring, where two grown men were beating themselves up with bloodied hands and redesigned faces due to the brutality of the match. Yes, this is what everyone knows as an underground fighting arena.

Ladies in bikini were busy, passing around as they had divided jobs, which each of them perform, such as; taking up people’s bets, taking people’s orders and brainwashing the men there, into wasting more money in the business by using seductive measures. It was really noisy and lively.

Sir Eric kept on leading Eugene to the upper floors and on each floors, sir Eric tips the bouncers there to move on. They passed by so many notable activities happening around each floor such as; touts beating up debtors, gambling activities, red room activities, slave trade activities and currency exchange activities. The duo moved on till the ninth floor, tipped the bouncers guarding the floor and the floor looked more like an administrative hall. This was where all administrative activities took place, such as the accounting, the stock report, the investments and so on, takes place.

Sir Eric led Eugene to one of the counters there and they both got attended by an attendant. She greeted and asked what they were here for, which in response, sir Eric said, “I am here to meet the “Crippled Mouse”.”

Hearing that, with a rush, the attendant asked, “for what purpose, dear sir?” “Just tell him that “The Butler” seeks for some “family”.” Sir Eric responded and without any hesitation, the attendant pulled out a golden telephone which was under the counter and dialled a three digit number. The receiver picked up the call and the attendant quickly told the receiver exactly what sir Eric said and after a series of responses, she ended the call, looked up to sir Eric and requested, “please, follow me, I will lead you to his office.”

The trio then reached to the stairs that led to the forbidden floors. The attendant went straight to the guarding bouncer and told him, “we have a golden customer, the crippled mouse is the host.” Eugene was originally confused on why the attendant was acting in a hurry and mostly, in fear, but now, the bouncer too? This time around, there was no tipping involved but instead, a quick service. The stairs leading to the forbidden floors had a gate that restricted unwanted entrances but within a few seconds, the bouncers opened the gate wide and bowed as the trio went through the stairs. They passed the 10th floor where drugs were illegally produced, the 11th, where slaves were imprisoned and then the twelfth which had the luxurious closed offices and there was only two of these offices were seen.

They approached the one which was at the right side of the floor and pressed the door bell. After a few seconds, the door automatically opened and the attendant demonstrated that the two should go in. Sir Eric nodded at Eugene, signalling that they should head inside. The duo then walked inside and behold to them, they saw a small luxurious apartment as an office. They looked to the left, and they saw someone in a suit that was lying on a white sofa with his head resting on a cushion, enjoying his red wine which he was holding on.

The man was quite short in height and bald at the same time, a bit chubby and a white moustache. The man, who was paying attention to the news, had himself distracted by the duo’s entrance and then sat up straight. Sir Eric finally took off his hat and as the man clearly saw his face, he suddenly got up to his feet and spoke up saying, “what do we have here? Why is The Butler not giving me a call?”

“That is a lot of questioning. Are you going to offer us a seat or are you planning to keep us standing?” sir Eric asked.

“Oh, please have a seat. I would rather stand than to see a senior up. I have every kinds of rich wine you can wish for, do you have a preference?” The Crippled Mouse asked.

“Pure fermented wine?” sir Eric requested as he and Eugene took a seat.

“Always going with the classics, I see. Of course I can give you that and for the young one?” The Crippled Mouse asked again.

“Just water, please.” Eugene responded humbly.

“Haha, of course.” The Crippled Mouse replied as he went to his office desk, picked up his telephone, dialled and made his order. He didn’t go back to the duo but waited till his order arrived and an attendant served the duo their order. He then went to the duo and sat opposite to them. He then cleared his throat before speaking up, saying, “when I received a telephone call from one of the attendants, she said that you were looking for some family. Now, how many members do you need to be in it and are there any specific feature that you are looking for?”

“Ten, top ranks in gun shooting, combat and safe guarding. In short, I need your best of the bests and as for the members, they should be experienced in shootouts that have a sense of teamwork and loyalty.” Sir Eric replied.

“Hehe, so you need the exclusive package? Alright, anything for The Butler.” The Crippled Mouse chuckled as he replied and then, he got up and went back to his desk, took the telephone and dialled. As the receiver responded, he then ordered, “code 12, order KM, ten men needed, exclusive package.” He then drops the call and goes back to his seat and continued a discussion with the guests while the duo sips on their wine and water.

After some minutes, a doorbell was heard and The Crippled Mouse picked up what seem like a small remote and pressed a tiny button that was on it, which was the only button the small remote had and the door then automatically opened. At that moment, ten men who had a dangerous energy being observed from them walked in and another man walked in with them. The man was in a red suit and was blonde as well, while also having a golden monocle with him. He came forward to the trio that were sitting down and announced to them, “your men, dear sirs, are here.”