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Reed city has many people running petty businesses and Zeby was one among them. He was 22 and had done a course on hotel management. He had got training at a 5-star hotel but had turned down a minor job offer there. He lived in a house which had a garage that could only hold his scooter. He had converted that into a tea shop and sold only tea with a few flavors. His ginger tea was popular and customers would stand outside and drink the tea.
That evening a man in soiled clothes came and ordered tea.
Zeby asked “Do you want any flavor?”
“No. Just plain tea.”
The man appeared tired and Zeby said “I’ll serve you tea in a moment. You look tired. You can sit on that stool next to the scooter.”
The man sat down. Tea was served and sipping it he said “Tastes nice.” He said “Somebody gave me a ride on a bike and it hit a bus on the next road. I fell on the road and seem to have lost my purse. Lucky I hadn’t carried my phone.”
Zeby was anxious as he asked “How will you pay for the tea?”
“May be another day.”
Zeby said “Okay okay., Have it your way.”
The man said “Don’t treat me as a charity case. I have power. I’m Lucifer.”
Zeby laughed and said “That name means nothing. I’ve never heard of you.”
“Tell me what you wish and I’ll grant it.”
Zeby laughed and said “I want to be a hotelier. That means owning and running a posh hotel with a restaurant, swimming pool and so on. I’ve a degree in hotel management and I’m a good cook as well. I am competent to run such a hotel.”
“Your wish is granted. It will happen in due course.”
The very next day the owner of the popular restaurant JIMMY’S KITCHEN called Zeby and said “I understand you’re a good cook. Can you join us?”
Zeby joined and in a matter of 6 months the popularity of JIMMY’S KITCHEN grew phenomenally and the owner opened 3 more in different suburbs of Reed.
Lucifer came again, met Zeby and said “Good things have begun to happen to you.”
Zeby was silent. Lucifer said “I want a return favor. Real estate mogul AJ dines at your place often. Kill him serving him poisoned fish.”
Zeby said “I can’t do it. We’ve a reputation and it needs to be protected. I hadn’t promised you any return favor.”
“So you won’t cooperate.” And Lucifer went away leaving Zeby feeling guilty.
One day AJ choked on a fish bone as he had dinner. Zeby who had been watching got a medico who was also dining to help and AJ was saved. AJ appreciated Zeby’s timely help and took him to manage the five star KINGSBURY HOTEL he had launched. Zeby’s wish to become a hotelier had been fulfilled.
Lucifer again came with a request. He said “Zeby, cine super star Rita Stanley will be staying in KINGSBURY for a week. You must help in making a nude shot of hers.”
Zeby said “Again I’ve to turn down your request. The hotel’s reputation shouldn’t be compromised by taking such photographs.”
Lucifer said “At least do this for me. Rita has a flawless shape but she has a birthmark on her left bum which she always keeps concealed. While she stays in your KINGSBURY she will use the pool. I can make a picture of her hind quarter.”
“Since you’re aware of the existence of the birthmark why do you want a picture?”
“To satisfy one of my patrons who hopes to make money on it.”
“Any invasion of a patron’s privacy will be unlawful. I can only allow you to use your photographer as a very special case.” Lucifer appeared happy.
Rita stayed and used the pool. Lucifer’s photographer failed as Rita’s bathing dress had concealed the birthmark if it existed.
Sometime later Lucifer again came to Zeby and said “This time I’m not taking no for an answer. Alfred Ashdown the duke of Camberly is coming to Reed in connection with some inheritance here and will be staying is in the KINGSBURY. His wife is Lisa and is from the Habsburg family. It is said Lisa will be suing the duke for divorce due to his closeness with model Althea. Lisa wants a big sum in settlement which will drive Alfred into penury. I don’t want Alfred to be ruined as he is a true follower of mine. Althea will be here for a show organized by the firm Parfum Sandal at the same time as the duke. Alfred has arranged a private detective firm to prove that he wasn’t with Althea. It is said she is affianced to a member of an Emirates royal family. ”
“What do you want me to do?
” You must allow Moncton from the detective firm hired by Alfred to plant his equipment in the Princess suite.”
“When is Althea due here?”
“She will be here from the 13th to the 20th and will occupy the Princess suite.”
Zeby was thoughtful a moment and then said “We’ve our firm of detectives. Why doesn’t Moncton contact them?”
“They shouldn’t know.”
Zeby shrugged and said “I don’t know if I would be wrong in allowing Moncton to bug Althea. Okay since I owe you one. I should say the last one.”
On the 12th Moncton bugged the Princess suite. Around midday of the 13th Parfum Sandal had to discuss formulations and their detective came in and finding bugs debugged the area. Alfred spent the night with Althea and left the following day. Actually Moncton wasn’t the duke’s man but was an independent somebody. His plan was to blackmail Althea engaged to Emirate royalty. Moncton’s plan didn’t succeed. About a month later, Lucifer came to Zeby. Zeby said “You’ve compensated me enough for my cup of tea. Is it okay if I seek something from you? You had said you had power.”
“Speak up. I’ll answer.”
Zeby said “I want to enjoy myself with Helen of Troy who was the most beautiful woman in the world. Let me have her with me for just one night.”
Lucifer looked startled as he said “I’ll think about it though it is a very unscriptural request.”
Zeby said “What scripture are you talking about? It has nothing to do with me as I’m a Nihilist.”
Lucifer didn’t come to Zeby again.
END
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