"Two major factors," I replied, sounding relaxed and confident, "One is the combination of factors. For instance, one who is talented may get sharpened by education and easily get recognized due to background, therefore stand out among people with solely similar talents, education and background.
The other major factor is the most prominent," I uttered the last word in a rash and paused as i carefully received the highly anticipated mail.
"In our case, who wants power and wealth?" it asked. I showed it to Mah and wrote two sentences behind it, "In our case, no one wants power or wealth. In our case you want to survive."
When I let the force and air deliver it, it struck the wall behind them, bounced and fell under the table. The dark shirt man picked it up.
When I tried to continue my discussion with Mah, I saw another one coming. I frantically caught it fearing that it may pass me and either no one or someone else may read it.
It was at this moment that I realized we had become the center of attention.
"Who doesn't want to survive? You? Sacrifice yourself then," It read.
I found the note ridiculous.
In a haste I wrote behind it, "You want to survive, I want to survive. The difference is that I don't want anyone to die for me. I'm not precious."
No space was left for other words waiting in my head. I discarded on the table and wrote on the menu. Finishing, I tore it out and send it without a slightest bit of hesitation.
Mah had just completed reading the note I discarded earlier. He looked at me, aghast. It occurred to me that I forgot to show him the full note before I send it away.
"I have told them that I'm also not prepared to die for someone. People mainly despised me and treated me harshly. It all only stopped when I became famous and wealthy. I see no need to sacrifice myself for people. I have also told them that if they truly believe that dying for someone is a great honor, why not sacrifice themselves for the rest of us," I explained the extended version of the second part of the note to him.
"Right," he smiled, "If they die for us I promise to build statues for the three of them."
I chuckled. They glared daggers at us.
"You may proceed with our discussion," Mah prompted.
"Where was i?" I inquired.
"The most prominent factor," he reminded me.
"Fine," I drained my mug and placed it on the table with a thud, "The most prominent factor is the combination of interest, will, passion, determination and perseverance. It starts with showing keen interest in things. One attempt to see things and problems from a different angle. Then one starts to have questions, most of them lacking answers. For example, why some matters take shape of a container and others do not? Why are some songs loved more than others? What is the best way possible to expand the kingdom? How to make the standards of all people better? Are our current legal systems truly fair and efficient?
One does everything to get answers and solutions. That's where will, passion, determination and perseverance come into play. One face opposition and all sort of challenges. When answers and solutions are found the many in the society may be impressed—sometimes, in regardless of their nature. One still needs interest, will, passion, determination and perseverance to keep going.
Look, all the influential people came up with new tactics, new styles of their craft, new ideas and ideologies that impressed people. That brought public recognition upon them and earned them people's trust and respect. They quickly rose to prominence in whatever field they were.
In most cases, these two major factors are intimately associated giving birth to a single major deciding factor which is the combination of the two major factors. In other words, a combination of every possible factor.
In reality, however, or let's say outside our sinful perspective, we remain equal. Man is nothing before God." I stopped there, leaned back and ran my fingers along my hairline under my beanie.
For a while, Mah silently contemplated my words as it seemed. He let out a long sigh and leaned back as well.
The corner men were deep in discussion. I wondered what was the matter.
"Let's order something. A meal. You order," Mah told me.
I waved at the waitress. I ordered potato salad with mustard. The corpses and the stinking dry blood would obviously make it difficult to eat meat.
I heard sobs.
"Give me salad too, of any kind. The desserts hasn't done any good. I'm starving," The old woman told the waitress who was standing beside me. She continued sobbing.
"Ma, everything is going to be fine. All this will be over. We won't die," The elegant lady consoled her.
At that moment, something brushed past my face. An the next moment, I realized it was a ball of note thrown by the dark shirt man. It fell on the floor near the bearded kid's table. Tough luck.
I started by glancing from the ball to the dark shirt man and back to the ball. Henceforth, my eyes flicked back and forth between the bearded kid and the ball.
"It's confidential!" I warned, anger written all over my face.
The bearded kid did not listen. It's not like I thought he would listen anyway. He sneered and started reading. i witnessed his expression turning serious.
"they are plotting against you!" he uttered loud enough for the thug to hear, "look."
he threw the piece of paper to the thug's direction. It didn't go far, it fell on the floor in front of the bearded kid's table.
the thug stood up. he walked in silence and as a slug.
"Your little fame ends here," the bearded kid told me, "it's a pity you have to die only an upcoming artist."
I bit my lip as cold sweat broke on my forehead. i hated the kid to the core.
the thug finally arrived where the note had landed, which happened to be beside me. his presence brought along a wave of dread that washed all over me.
he picked up the note, read and glanced at me. I'd dreaded this moment, I shivered.
I cannot let him kill me, I thought, not that easy. I sorted out many ways of proving him that still, his shooting was not sharp enough.
Bang!
At once, every inch of my muscle trembled violently.
"No!"
Bang!