Read Online Cut Back by Todd Strasser - Free Book Online Page B

two ones and handed them to Mr. Asoki. “I’m sorry about that, sir.”
    â€œWell, Mr. Asoki,” Mr. Blake said, “I hope that helps remedy your problem.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a light blue certificate. “In addition, for your trouble I’d like you to have this gift certificate to my restaurant, the Lobster House. I’d like you and your family to have a free dinner on behalf of the citizens of Sun Haven.”
    â€œThank you very much, sir,” Mr. Asoki said. “Thank you.”
    â€œAnd thank you for bringing your family here to Sun Haven,” Mr. Blake said. “I hopeyou will tell all your friends about your very pleasant visit to our town.”
    â€œI will, thank you.” Mr. Asoki left the store.
    Mr. Blake didn’t.

Fourteen
    â€œ
K ai Garrison.” Mr. Blake placed the elbows of his plaid jacket on the glass counter and leaned toward Kai, holding him steady in his eyes. “Where’re you from, Kai?”
    â€œNo particular place,” Kai answered.
    â€œHere and there?” Mr. Blake guessed. “Move around a lot?”
    Kai nodded.
    â€œChange your name about as often as you change your address?”
    Kai didn’t answer.
    â€œYou know, Kai, many of us who live here in Sun Haven take a great deal of pride in our little town. We like to think that when people come here to visit they have a good time andthey get what they pay for. They leave Sun Haven with smiles on their faces and fond memories that they share with their friends, so that the following year, their friends might want to come here as well. Now you may be surprised to hear this, Kai, but even before Mr. Asoki came to my office today, I’d been hearing rumors that there might be a problem at this particular location. Actually, I bet you’re not surprised to hear that, are you?”
    Kai shook his head.
    Eric Blake had not taken his eyes off Kai, nor had Kai taken his away from Blake. If this was a staring contest, Kai had no trouble playing. Blake raised one eyebrow and glanced toward the door that led to the back room.
    â€œYour friends really gone, Kai?” he asked. “Or are they back there waiting for me to leave?”
    â€œThey’re gone. You’re welcome to go back there and see for yourself.”
    â€œNo, thanks, I believe you,” Mr. Blake said. “So the older gentleman, he saw trouble coming and he ran, leaving you behind to deal with it. How old are you, Kai?”
    â€œFifteen.”
    â€œLittle young to be left minding the store, don’t you think?” Blake asked.
    â€œFamily business,” Kai answered.
    Now both of Blake’s eyebrows went up. “The one who left you here … He’s your father?”
    Kai nodded.
    Mr. Blake took a moment and gazed around the store. He stepped over to a rack of T-shirts and thumbed through them. Then moved over to another rack. Then studied some of the transfers displayed on the walls. He looked back at Kai. “None of these items has a price attached to it. How are people suppose to know what it costs?”
    That, of course, was the key to his father’s scam. The items in the store cost whatever Pat thought the buyer would pay. If you looked like you could pay thirty dollars for a shirt, Pat charged you thirty dollars. But if you looked like you could pay seventy-five dollars, that would be the eventual price once the heat transfers and other “extras” were added on.
    Mr. Blake came back to the counter. “Any idea when your father might be coming back?”
    â€œNot a clue,” Kai replied.
    â€œWhen he does, I want you to give him a message,” Mr. Blake said. “State law requiresthat the price of every item be clearly marked on or near that item. Next time I visit this store—and believe me, that’s going to be very soon—I expect to see that all the items are in compliance with state law.