American Tax Officer

"What, not willing?"

"Willing, willing, as long as the two gentlemen can overlook my past mistakes, I am willing to do anything!"

When you're under someone's roof, you don't have much choice but to bow your head.

Sidorf, now, couldn't care about anything else and only thought of saving his own skin.

A dead comrade is better than a dead monk, as they say.

Following Sidorf's lead, David and Nisen walked down the road and entered a narrow alley, coming to a stop in front of an old residential building at the end.

"He's up there!"

David nodded slightly, signaling to continue leading the way.

The three of them walked up the stairs, the corridor dark and quiet, with only occasional footsteps and the sound of doors opening and closing on each floor breaking the peaceful atmosphere.

Soon, Sidorf led the two men to a door on the fourth floor, from inside which there were bursts of discussion.

"Caesar Palace Shopping Center is out of the question now, they've hired a lot of security guards lately, it's hard to pull off a job!"

"Crystal Shopping Street is no good either; those damned white folks have gotten smarter, with security already in place right outside the stores, we get busted before we even make a move!"

"Deca Department Store's security hasn't beefed up, it's just that they are too close to the police station, which makes it a bit risky..."

Inside the room at that moment, the couch was piled with various items, including old newspapers, magazines, empty drink bottles, and half-eaten fast food containers. The floor was strewn with clothes, toys, and some unidentifiable items, almost leaving no place to step.

On the couch, several people were engaged in conversation, seemingly unconcerned with their surroundings, or perhaps used to this way of life, and they were speaking rather loudly, as if they didn't care if outsiders could hear them.

"So, overall, Deca Department Store is still the easiest target, even if it's close to the police station, as long as everyone sticks to the limit as before, we should be fine!"

After listening to the analysis of the others, a black man with a somewhat mature look sitting by the window spoke in a deep voice.

And hearing his words, none of the others present showed any disagreement, clearly accepting his opinion.

"Same old rules, let's share our respective needs!"

The mature-looking black man continued to speak.

"It's winter now, and it's getting colder. My family needs an air conditioner!"

"My son was just born; I want some good quality baby formula..."

"As Victor said, it's getting colder, my family really lacks clothes. I need some that can keep us warm..."

"My family lacks a washing machine..."

The conversations of the black men left David and Nisen, who were still standing outside listening, speechless.

It seemed as though these black men treated the major department stores as their own backyards, taking whatever they were missing directly from the shelves.

David had no patience to continue listening; he gave Sidorf a look.

Sidorf, though reluctant, had no choice but to knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Sidorf!"

Hearing Sidorf's name, the people inside showed no wariness and immediately opened the door.

But when they saw there were more people than just Sidorf at the door, the black man immediately became apprehensive and asked, "Sidorf, who are these guys?"

"This..."

Sidorf shrank back, instinctively looking towards David.

"Internal Revenue Service inspectors!"

Upon seeing the badge David displayed, the black man who opened the door looked somewhat astonished, not really understanding what the IRS would want with them.

"What, you're not welcoming us?"

"No no no, come in!"

Although confused, one did not simply offend folks from the Internal Revenue Service; the black man quickly invited David and Nisen inside.

And upon their entry,

the group of black men who had been talking suddenly turned their curious and puzzled gazes all upon them.

[Name: Osborne Marlow.]

[Occupation: Zero Purchase Organization Leader.]

[Monthly Income: Nine Thousand One Hundred US dollars.]

[Income Details: On December 9th, participated in a raid at Crystal Shopping Street's iPhone Store, acquired an iPhone 13 PRO, profiting eight hundred US dollars, on December 23rd, participated in a raid at Macy's Department Store's Nike shop, profiting four hundred US dollars...]

[More details...]

[Tax Owed: Nine Hundred and Ten US dollars.]

...

[Name: Augusto Ditch.]

[Occupation: Zero Purchase Participant.]

[Monthly Income: Four Thousand Eight Hundred US dollars.]

[Income Details: On December 9th, participated in a raid at Crystal Shopping Street's iPhone Store, acquired an iPhone 12 PRO, profiting five hundred and fifty US dollars, on December 23rd, participated in a raid at Macy's Department Store's Nike shop, profiting two hundred US dollars...]

[More details...]

[Tax Owed: Four Hundred and Eighty US dollars.]

...

[Name: Barren Dominique.]

[Occupation: Zero Purchase Participant.]

[Monthly Income: Five Thousand US dollars.]

[Income Details: On December 9th, participated in a raid at Crystal Shopping Street's iPhone Store, acquired an iPad Air 4, profiting five hundred US dollars, on December 23rd, participated in a raid at Macy's Department Store's Nike shop, profiting four hundred US dollars...]

[More details...]

[Tax Owed: Five Hundred US dollars.]

[...]

As these people sized him up, David also used the golden finger feature to scrutinize them and, unsurprisingly, found that all present were the core members of the Zero Purchase movement.

But what made him feel somewhat imbalanced was the fact that he was a bona fide civil servant with a monthly salary of only around seven to eight thousand US dollars.

Among those present, with the exception of the leader Osborne, some of the other members had already surpassed his income.

This truly reflected the saying, "Committing arson or murder earns you a golden belt!"

"Dokku, who are these two...?"

"These two gentlemen are inspectors from the Internal Revenue Service!"

Hearing that they were from the IRS, the black men who had been curious and wary instantly tensed up, many already rapidly going through their tax affairs in their heads, trying to think of any issues with their taxes.

But soon, many of them relaxed.

Most of those present were unemployed vagrants and naturally did not have issues with paying taxes or tax affairs.

With this in mind,

it was either the IRS had made a mistake or they were here for the few among them who had jobs.

Perhaps these few who were employed had overlooked some tax affairs.

"Inspectors, may I ask what brings you here, what would you like to ask us?"

Sitting by himself on the side, Osborne came over, extending his right hand while trying to understand the reason for their visit.

However, David didn't pay him any heed and instead walked over to the spot where Osborne had been seated, and sat down unceremoniously, acting as if he was not an outsider.

Seeing this, Osborne's eyebrows furrowed. The IRS inspectors not showing any courtesy—it seemed like things were not that simple!