“I have told you many times not to smoke in my factory, but you simply take my words lightly. To avoid my inspection, you have shifted from cigarettes to electronic cigarettes to finally cigarettes with candy wrapper. Aren’t you playing arm race with me? Don’t you have health-consciousness and safety-consciousness since smoking triggers lung cancer which impacts your longevity, and fire which my textile hats are subject to? And I don’t want my hats to smell choking, smashing my word of mouth. Want to continue making fortunes with me? Keep your mind off smoking immediately! Or I have to break up with you regardless of our friendship.”
“It’s getting on my nerves that Hatman dares to restrain our freedom. Isn’t it difficult for him to allow for our relaxing space?” Muscularman is stamping feet in rage. “And we are paid $500 a month. Our 3 years’ salaries in the factory only equals to our burglary income within a year, which means we are spending money like water. It is he that takes a lion’s share of our collective income. How mean he is!” Badman also complains. “It’s time for us to flee from the depressing factory now.” Crazyman is in line with the other two. Therefore, they directly heads to Hatman’s office, convincing him of their decision to quit the job.
“We three outlaws finally make a comeback!” Badman yells at the passersby. “Tell your mom to prepare new doors and windows for a new round of indoor burglary.” Muscularman shouts at an innocent boy, scaring him into tears. “Make sure your fat door is firm enough to keep any attack at bay.” Crazyman laughs crazily at a clumsy fat man who spares no effort to squeezing himself in the brush in order to hide from them. Several men spontaneously stand up to their challenge, trying to drive them away, but Muscularman outweighs them when it comes to strength. They get a kick out of frightening civilians, avoiding police and attacking someone if necessary in this day.
Dark night comes, breeding their criminality. They hang around to find a prey. Among the shabby houses stands an imposing luxurious villa with fertile garden around it——an inviting view for every burglar. “Our fortune is right around the corner.” Muscularman happily rubs his stout hands. “And the silly host hasn’t locked his main door as if he were inviting us.” Badman says in evil grin. They go further into the dark house with a faint torch which provides enough light for their shady business. Suddenly the main door closes like someone has pushed it outside. Crazyman backs up to open the door, only to find it locked tightly. “Shit! The door is made of steel.” Muscularman beats the door in vain. “And the other exits have been blocked. Seems that we have fallen into the host’s trap. We are done for.” Badman said worriedly. Lights are suddenly switched on, nearly frightening them out of their wits. Muscularman is ready to give the tricky host a lesson, but the mysterious man doesn’t show up. Instead, they hear a familiar voice. “With due respect, you three are too stupid to become excellent burglars.” It’s Baldman that plays a trick on them. “You baldly donkey, release us or eat my fists.” Muscularman initially retorts. “Please deliberate your words before you speak. Don’t forget that it’s me who has the right to send all of you to jail with irresistible evidence in hand. And to regain freedom, complete what I assign you. Steal Hatman’s secret recipe of making unique hats for me within 24 hours, or see me in the prison.” Baldman demands. “It outdoes the normal theft. Will we agree to his unethical requirements?” Badman whispers to his comrades, having fierce risk-outcome trade-off. Baldman, who doesn’t notice their whispers, continues his long talk, “Just like Hatman boosts his hats, Baldman is defined by balding head, but why does everyone tease my trait while appreciating Hatman’s? Why can’t Baldman become a household name? My innovation capacity meets Hatman’s match, so I will be sure to define next era of hat industry provided that I get the secret recipe and come up with new changes, securing my place among the rich. Then I will distort my unfair lot, stepping those who has made fun of me under my heels. I will cast out all the disagreements and impose penalties on those I dislike. I will get rid of the adverse life circumstances. Every dog has its own day and here ultimately comes my day.” “Hey, Mr.Baldman, we embrace your plan.” Badman involuntarily stands up for his crew. “Great! I entrust the glorious burglary to you! Come back in time to exchange secret recipe for evidence.” Baldman opens the main door which is actually controlled remotely by Baldman.
Darkness shelters them on the way to factory, keeping the possibility of spotting them to minimum. They guess the secret recipe is in the yearly locked room which is banned from being approached. Hatman insists that the room is utilized for storing unnecessary tools. Anyway, it deserves a look for the three hunters. Muscularman easily gets access to inside since he masters in breaking locks, surprisingly finding a piece of paper in good preservation. They recognizes that it is the secret recipe that they are hunting for since the title “How to make a good hat” betrays its identity.
Running back to Baldman’s villa in thrill, they hand in the paper duly. “Good job! You really steal the real one. Here is your reward.”Baldman takes out a chip storing videos about the three breaking into the house and breaks it apart. “Trust me, I don’t back up. Now get out of my property at once!” Baldman shouts at them, compelling the three to leave as quickly as possible. “Now no one will obstruct me from the success in sight.” Baldman said to himself.
“Why can’t I make the same hats as Hatman’s just by following the steps on the paper?” Baldman is at a loss, littered with the failed hats in front of him. But he still sticks to it, polishing the hats earnestly but ends up making another faulty hats. Suddenly the door bell rings, confusing Baldman. On the alert, he looks through a hole in his door. Outside the door stands a powerful policeman who is impatiently knocking on the door. “What’s wrong? Why does the police take notice of me?” He sneaks away silently from the main door, but the policeman comes in through an opening window. “Here is the warrant to arrest you, Mr.Baldman.” The policeman directly puts him in handcuffs and drives him to the police station.
“You three is risking your life. Don’t you know the consequence of stealing intellectual property?” Hatman shouts at the three burglars. “This time you are lucky to have enough evidence to prove that you are forced to steal patents from me, or you have to shoulder responsibility.”Hatman stops for a while and then continues confessing that the paper they have stolen is fake, shocking the three. “My secret recipe isn’t as easily accessible as you may think.” Hatman smiles, “Since I have zero tolerance for intervention, I am here to stay containing any form of crime.”
Categories:5/27. 5/28. 5/29. 5/30. 6/3. 6/4. 6/6. 6/7. Essentials
To be continued…