Making Rent

Mr. Wu, the owner-operator of a corner convenience store, hadn't paid rent for 3 months. He was $9000 behind. On the 1st of next month, he had to pay for all 4 months of rent, a total of $12000.

That or the landlord would throw him out of the store. He would lose not only his store but his family who stayed in the 200 sq ft room at the back of the store, would become homeless.

With 5 days to go, he finds a bag left behind in the store. Like most other lost items, someone typically came back to pick it up within 24 hours. Now 2 days had passed and the bag was left unclaimed.

Planning to call the owner, he opens the bag to find $10000 in $20 bills. No names, no clues.

Was this sheer luck? Or was it a test from God above? Or was it a helping hand from Him?

As he continued the day, a policeman walked in. It wasn't abnormal to see Officer Paulson, but this day he walked in with intent and handed Mr. Wu a photo asking if he had seen the guy. Wu hadn’t, but hung on to a photo of the suspect. Paulson said he would pick it up the next day on his rounds. Wu stuck the photo next to the bag with the money.

Over the next 2 days, his mind is torn between the right and the pragmatic.

On the one hand, he knew he should give the money to the police, even though it meant his family would be homeless. Wouldnt a lifetime of lessons learned in the church taught him that much?

On the other hand, he knew he should keep the money for the rent, even though it would not be a Christian thing to do. Wouldn’t all those Sundays in the church have earned him a small favor from God to keep a roof over his family’s head?

After an agonizing 48 hours, he finally convinces himself he will return the money. But tells himself, that if God gave him 3 signs, 3 clear signs that the money was for his rent, he would keep it.

So this morning, he decides to go to the police station to hand over the money. He puts the money in the brown paper bag to hand it over to Officer Paulson.

As he walks towards the Police station, he has the bag in the inner pocket of his coat, and hand firm over his chest clutching the bag. In his deep thoughts, he had forgotten to take the photo back to Officer Paulson. He decides to go back to the store. As he enters the store, he sees that he has left his cell phone behind too. And as he picks up the photo and the phone, the phone starts ringing. It is his estranged brother who he hasn't spoken to over 3 years, He had called to say that he was sorry and was coming back home. And asks if he could work for him in his store. Wu cannot believe the timing. With his brother returning, Wu could keep the store running for longer hours, which could ease some of the money problems. With a smile on his face, he said yes, asks him to come soon, and hangs up.

Was this a sign from God that he should keep the store?

Thanking his luck, he decides to go to Church on the way to the Police station. Hoping to also get some guidance from his priest. As he walks in, the priest looks at Wu as if he was expecting him, and says “Will you be able to provide 20 bags of ice next Sunday for the annual Church fundraiser?” Wu deep in his thoughts — the unpaid rent, the bag with the $10000, his brother coming back — was still in a daze. The priest asked again, “Wu, you have ice in your store, don't you? Will you be able to get 20 bags next Sunday?” At which point, Wu gathering himself says, “Yes, of course, I can.” The priest continues, “That's settled then. So, what brings you here on a Tuesday Wu, never seen you here outside of a Sunday?” To which Wu says with a smile, “I was here looking for guidance, and you were looking for ice. I think we both found what we wanted.” And with the priests blessing, Wu steps out.

Was that really a sign that God? That his store had to be around till next Sunday? Was this the second sign?

He finally walks into the Police station and asks for Officer Paulson. As he waits in the lobby, he sees a familiar face. It was his landlord, Mr. Romano, — a crooked, money laundering, tax-evading, sleazeball.

Romano walks over, asks Wu what he was there for? His eyes fall on the on the photo in Wu’s hand. The photo was of Joe, one Romano’s hired men, a no-good petty thief, and a 2-bit drug dealer, who did his bidding. He asks Wu to keep his mouth shut about Joe. Wu puts 2 and 2 together, and inquires what’s it to him. Romano says nothing immediately, but as the Officer walked towards them, he says if Wu keeps his mouth shut he will cut him a break on his rent. Wu gathers that Romano did not want to be associated with Joe in any way.

At which point, Officer Paulson walks up and says to Mr. Wu, “do you have something for me?” Looking at the photo, Wu says “What has this guy done?”. “Well, he is a drug dealer. The deal went wrong and he was being chased by the buyers for some cash he stole from them. He was seen in your area, but he’s gone missing. Did he ever come into your store?”

At which point Wu, eyes closed in silent prayers thanks God, “that’s got to be the third.” He turns to Mr. Romano with a glint in his eyes and quietly asks, “Did you say you would waive 3 months rent?” Romano has no choice but to shrug and nod yes. At which point Wu, turns to the Officer, hands over the picture, says “Never seen him in my life.” And walks out of the Police station with the $10000 still in his coat pocket.