The Fundamentals of the Wealthy

"Business" is My Middle Name

"Get out!"

The aluminum door shuddered violently after he slammed it, and I was left outside with my suitcase, and Penny. My landlord had a strict no-animal policy in his tenant's houses, not because of the shedding or furniture damage, but because he generally hated animals.

I guess the sight of myself trying to sneak into my apartment through the fire escape at eleven o'clock at night while holding a squirming dog didn't settle too well with him.

I sighed and set the corgi on the ground, taking my suitcase and dragging it up to the sidewalk.

There can't possibly be another place I can find a room to stay in at this time of night, is there?

Not if you want to spend your entire week's wages on one night at a hotel. 

I once asked Mr. Raleigh if the inns offered free or discounted stays for employees, and his answer was one of which only someone like Mr. Raleigh could make up.

"No," he responded, curtly, "The wages my employees make are more than enough to sustain a decent apartment. Are you trying to complain about your pay?" 

The frozen tilt in his gaze almost caused my spine to compress into itself.  

"No! No, not at all, Mr. Raleigh, it's just -"

"Then that will suffice. Get back to your desk, Piper." 

I passed an urban bakery around a corner and walked into a street lined with brownstones. It was one of the better neighborhoods; the sidewalk trees were actually alive, and the walks were swept clean. There was hardly any trash in the gutters.

Penny barked as she waddled besides me, stubby tail waving eagerly.

"This is partially your fault," I informed her, "Because you're so cute."

She just smiled more, panting as she tried to keep up with her sausage legs.

"Are you looking for a room?"

I skidded to a stop so quickly, Penny crashed into my leg.

The lady who had spoke looked at the corgi.

"A room for both of y'all, I guess," She added.

She had the voice and look of a brothel owner. That was, if brothel owners were conservative Christians.

"Actually, we are," I cocked my head, "Are you a landlord?"

"Technically. I have a room open. But you'll have to room with another person." She blew a huff of smoke towards a succulent sitting on the railing besides her.

"Excuse me?!" The high pitched exclamation came from below street level. There were five seconds of silence before a lanky young man stormed from the staircase below, stalking towards the landlord and shaking an accusing finger, "See, Luna, I've been hiding underneath that staircase for six hours because I knew you were going to try and sell my house! And I was right!"

"Your contract ends in a week, Ryan," The woman took one last puff before using the plant as an ashtray, "If you take a roommate, I will create a new contract with you once yours ends."

Brief silence. The wind rustled the leaves drying on the sidewalk tree branches peacefully. Some ashtray dust was carried up and blown into the landlord's face.

Ryan looked between her and me several times before muttering, "Fine!"

He spun on his heel and disappeared into the apartment.