Victoria stepped closer.
“You should have understood the message.”
Daniel looked up.
“What message?”
“That people like you do not belong at the front entrance of a company like this.”
Several employees stopped.
Victoria noticed.
But this time, instead of becoming cautious, embarrassment pushed her further.
“You’re making the building look bad.”
Daniel stood slowly.
“For cleaning shoes?”
“For loitering.”
“I’m working.”
“You’re begging.”
“I charge five dollars.”
“That doesn't make this respectable.”
Silence spread.
Daniel studied her.
“Would it be respectable if I had money?”
Victoria laughed.
“You don't.”
“How do you know?”
She looked at his coat.
His stand.
His shoes.
Daniel nodded.
“Exactly.”
Chapter 9: Enough
Marcus Hale emerged from the building.
Victoria turned.
“Finally.”
Marcus approached.
“What happened?”
Victoria pointed toward Daniel.
“I told you yesterday I wanted him gone.”
“He’s on public property.”
“Then call the city.”
“For what?”
“Loitering.”
Marcus looked at Daniel.
Then at the small sign.
Shoe shine.
Five dollars.
“He's conducting business.”
“Without a permit.”
Daniel reached into his jacket.
He had obtained a temporary street-vendor permit the previous afternoon.
He handed it over.
Marcus read it.
Then looked at Victoria.
“He has a permit.”
Her face flushed.
“This is ridiculous.”
Daniel extended his hand.
Marcus returned the document.
Victoria snapped:
“Take his stand.”
Marcus looked at her.
“What?”
“Confiscate it.”
“I can't.”
“You're security.”
“Company security.”
“So?”
“He’s on public property.”
Victoria stared at him.
Then at Daniel.
“Do you enjoy embarrassing people?”
Daniel answered:
“No.”
“Then leave.”
“No.”
It was the first time Daniel had directly refused her.
Victoria looked almost shocked.
She stepped closer.
“Who do you think you are?”
Daniel’s heart beat harder.
The line was perfect.
Too perfect.
For a moment, he considered ending the test.
Telling her.
Watching the color leave her face.
Then he remembered his father.
Finish it.
So he said only:
“Someone you don't know.”
Victoria turned toward Marcus.
“That’s enough. Get him out.”
Marcus finally shook his head.
“No.”
She stared.
“What?”
“I said no.”
For the first time, Daniel saw Marcus choose.
Not perfectly.
Late.
But clearly.
Victoria’s voice dropped.
“Do you understand who you're speaking to?”
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.”
“Apparently you don't.”
Daniel watched.
Marcus continued: