Zero's Law: Lord Of The Karma System

That's Fraud, My Friend.

Chapter 8: That's Fraud, My Friend.

Traffic was slow, so it took some considerable time before the taxi finally drove into the hotels compound.

Seeing the high-end building, and the high class people moving in and out of the main hotel building... the driver was in awe. "Now this is what I call luxury. It's not something that people like us can afford".

"Speak for yourself". Zero said, stepping out of the vehicle.

"Are you here to see some..."

"How much was the ride?" Zero cut in, already reaching for his wallet in his back pocket. (Good thing that he kept both his phone and wallet on him, instead of in his stolen bag).

"The price is five hundred dollars." The driver said with a sly smile.

Zero froze. Then slowly turned his head. "Five hundred what?"

"Five hundred dollars" the driver repeated.

"For what?".

"C'mon, I had to wait a long time at the motel for you to go grab what it is that you wanted. Then I had to spend more time waiting as those thugs tried to rearrange your bones. Not to mention that I helped you, before driving you here through the heavy traffic... That's time and risk, my friend." The driver explained.

"And all of this was done in barely two and a half hours." Zero almost yelled. "The drive to the motel cost thirty five dollars. So how the hell does this now cost five hundred?"

"C'mon. I drove you to a cheap rundown motel then... But this is a luxurious five star hotel. You can't compare the two, my friend".

"Oh really?... Zero’s tone dropped. "Do you know Nevada’s Revised Statutes, Title 52 — Chapter 598? It's about deceptive trade practices." He took a step closer. "You just made a false representation in a service transaction. And according to NRS 598.0915, subsection fifteen... That’s fraud, my friend."

The driver's smile wiped from his face. "I didn't do no fraud."

"But you just increased the fare. That’s price gouging... a fraudulent act. And it is punishable by up to four years in prison and a five thousand dollar fine, along with restitution." Zero’s voice was now low.

The driver stared hard at Zero... hiding his fear. "So you are some kind of lawyer. Well guess what? I have got a lawyer too. A very good one." He shrugged. "Besides, it's your word against mine."

"Are you sure about that?" Zero lifted his phone. "I have been recording our conversation ever since you mentioned five hundred dollars. I wonder how your very good lawyer when handle this when I send this to the Nevada Taxicab Authority".

The driver was unable to hold back his fear any longer, and it reflected on his face.

"As you can see..." Zero said with a sly smile. "It's your words... against you, my friend."

Seeing that he has been outdone, the driver decided to make peace. "C'mon man. This is just a little matter, no need to take it that far. You can keep the money."

"Of course... But I will still pay you". Zero said digging through his wallet. "You did drive me here after all."

The remaining money left in his wallet was two hundred dollars. He wanted to give the driver just fifty dollars, as payback for trying to scam him. But he decided not to, out of fear that the system might punish him for it. He is yet to recover from his last punishment.

"Here," he said, handing over the whole two hundred dollars. "I am feeling quite generous today. But let this be the last time that you try to pull this type of stunt."

"Of course, sir. Thank you." The driver pocketed the cash and sped off.

"There goes my remaining one hundred and fifty dollars." Zero sighed.

He looked at his phone, only to discover that the screen was badly cracked. Probably from the time those thugs were beating him.

'Good thing I turned it away when I bluffed the taxi driver. If he had seen the screen, that would have killed the act.' He slid it back into his pocket. 'I will replace it later. It's not like there's anyone reaching out to me now.'

Then he turned and headed straight to the hotel. As he approached the entrance, two security men stopped him.

"You are not allowed in here. How did you even get past the gate?" Security man one, asked.

"Excuse me?" Zero frowned.

"You need to leave" Security man two added.

At that moment, a well dressed young man walked past, and the guards let him through without question. When Zero tried to follow, the first guard shoved him back.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Security guard two asked in annoyance.

"Young Man... Leave now, or we will force you out," Guard one warned.

"Is this how you guys treat your customers. Or do you just have it out for me?" Zero asked in annoyance.

Then he saw his reflection on a glass window, and immediately understood the reason for his poor treatment. He was looking very unkept... his clothes were rumpled, his face bruised, his hair was wild, and he was covered in dirt.

It was not the kind of appearance that will be accepted in such a high end place.

He sighed. "Oh, I get it now. My appearance is not really good. The thing is, I had an accident earlier, that’s why I am like this. I am not a beggar or a homeless man. I am here to book a room."

The guards didn’t buy it, and asked him to leave once more. By now they have already gathered some attention.

Thankfully, the head of security arrived at the scene. He listened to Zero’s story, and though unconvinced, he still allowed him inside... but followed close behind.

The hotel's interior was even more exquisite than the outside. Zero kept his eyes straight ahead, trying not to stare. He didn’t want to look like it was his first time seeing wealth up close.

But no matter how he tried not to stand out, the rich people still looked at him differently... because of his bruises, his clothes, and the guard tailing him.

The head of security guided him to an open receptionist. But Zero knew that the man wasn't giving him any VIP treatment... rather he was expecting him to fail to book a room so that he would have every reason to deal with him.

"So, what kind of room would you like?" the receptionist asked.

"A premium suite," Zero replied.

She blinked in surprise. "Are you sure, sir?"

"Yes." He answered "Is there a problem?"

"No, sir. It’s just… the premium suite costs three thousand dollars per night." She said, expecting Zero to either leave, or choose a normal room.

"Okay. I want it."

She hesitated. "And for how long will you be staying?"

"Two months."

If the receptionist had been surprised before, now she was speechless. 'If you can afford that, then why do you look like you fought a truck?' She thought, but knew not to say.

Even the head of security was stunned. He had spent years judging people by instinct... and this man in front of him didn't look like someone who had that kind of careless money.

Zero calmly pulled out his credit card from his wallet, and paid.

The receptionist collected his details, and handed him his room key card. She then called a concierge to escort him to his room upstairs. The head of security lingered for a moment before heading back to his post.

If the taxi driver could see Zero now, he would probably curse him to hell. 'You had over a hundred and eighty thousand dollars to pay for a room, and you still haggled with me over five hundred? Stingy bastard'

Zero entered the suite... he located one of the rooms, and fell onto the bed... completely drained. Within seconds, he dozed off.