James nodded. “Patricia, here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to come back here tomorrow night. You’re going to work Rosa’s shift with her. Eight hours. Mopping, cleaning toilets, taking out trash. You’re going to see what she does every night to keep this place running.”
“That’s ridiculous—”
Patricia looked sick. “One night?”
“One night. And you’re going to pay Rosa $10,000 for her pain and suffering. Right now. Or we go the legal route.”
“I don’t have that much cash—”
“There’s an ATM right outside.” James crossed his arms. “Your choice. Ten thousand dollars and one night of work, or handcuffs and headlines.”
Patricia left and came back twenty minutes later with the cash. Her hands were shaking as she counted it out. Ten thousand dollars. More money than I’d seen at one time in my entire life.
“I’m sorry,” she said stiffly.Continue reading…