Hendra, Jaki, and Ojan sat on the porch floor. Ojan was counting their earnings, while the others pretended to be philosophers.
Ojan: Here, this is yours. (hands Hendra 200,000) And this is yours. (hands Jaki 250,000) Not bad today. I thought we wouldn't sell much working like this.
Jaki (lighting a cigarette): Man… if it's like this every day, I'd be rich already.
Ojan (still counting): That's how selling works. Sometimes it's dead, sometimes it's busy. At least it's better than our old job.
(Jaki nods)
Hendra: Hey! Since we haven't gone out in a while… wanna go?
Ojan & Jaki: Go where?
Hendra: Let's hang out somewhere. A coffee stall sounds good! I'm seriously bored staying in all the time.
Jaki: Yeah right, all you do is sleep. Want money but don't wanna work.
Hendra: Hey, at least I help prepare stuff. Better than cooking. Remember the burger I made yesterday? Burnt to hell.
Jaki (smacks Hendra's head): That's because you can't even use a stove, idiot!
Hendra: Then teach me!
Ojan: Hey, dumbass! I already did! You're just too lazy to learn.
Hendra: Hehe. So… are we going or not?
Ojan: I'm in.
Jaki: Let's go.
---
They walked through a narrow alley toward their usual coffee stall. The night felt cool and quiet, no sound except their footsteps. The smell of urine and rotten cat waste filled the air. The alley clearly wasn't maintained… or at least never cleaned.
After passing several alleys and houses, they finally arrived.
The place was unusually quiet. Normally it was packed with customers and thick cigarette smoke, making it hot and suffocating. But tonight… empty.
Jaki (sitting): Weird… it's usually crowded.
Seller: Yeah, it's quiet. People went back to their hometowns. Those dating already got married and moved away somewhere. You guys not going home?
Jaki: We don't have one. No relatives either.
Seller: Ah, makes sense. Others go home, you guys keep working. By the way, was it busy today?
Ojan: Yeah, pretty busy. But most orders wanted delivery, not sure why.
Seller: People are just too lazy to go out. So, what are you ordering?
Jaki: Three egg noodles, and three coffees.
Seller: Got it!
---
The seller scooped water from a large barrel, poured it into a smaller pot, lit the stove, and waited for it to boil.
Jaki (to Hendra): You locked the door, right?
Hendra: Relax. What's a thief gonna take? There's nothing inside.
Jaki: Still, better be careful.
Hendra: It's fine. If a thief comes, he'll run after seeing your face.
Jaki: You bastard!
---
Soon, three cups of coffee were placed in front of them. Jaki took a sip first and felt it was perfect. The night felt like the right time to relax… especially after a full day of work. Except for Hendra.
...
Jaki (picking teeth): So, how much?
Seller: Three noodles, three coffees… 46,000.
Jaki: Jan, you pay.
Ojan (hands money): Here, thanks man!
---
They left and walked back through the same alley. But this time, they stopped.
A man was hiding… acting suspicious.
Ojan (whispering): What's he doing?
Jaki (whispering): Probably a thief?
Ojan (whispering): Don't jump to conclusions. What if we beat him and he's not? But yeah… he looks suspicious.
Jaki: Exactly, better we—
Hendra (shouting): HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE?!
Jaki & Ojan (thinking): Idiot…
---
The man turned… and suddenly ran toward them. His face was drenched in sweat, full of fear.
Hendra: He's coming this way… should we run?
Before they could answer, the man was already in front of them.
Man (terrified): PLEASE! HELP ME! I'M BEING CHASED!
Ojan: Calm down! What happened?
Man: I'LL EXPLAIN LATER! JUST HELP ME FIRST!
Hendra: Alright, alright! Let's hide first!
---
They ran through the alley, not caring that their sandals were now smeared with filth.
Hendra: Damn, that stinks!
---
After running far enough, they reached home. Hendra locked the door and shut the curtains.
Jaki: Alright, it's safe now. Tell us what happened.
The man tried to speak but struggled to breathe.
Ojan: Ndra, get him water.
Man (waving): No… no!
Ojan: Why not?!
---
The man took a deep breath.
Man: I was chased by mysterious people… wearing half-zipped jackets and carrying guns. I panicked and shouted, but that made them chase me. I tried waking the neighbors, but I forgot… everyone went home. I swear! I'm not involved in anything! I don't gamble or deal with shady stuff!
Jaki: This is bad…
Ojan: Sounds like cops or intel agents investigating something. They always wear those jackets when undercover.
Man (weak): Really…?
Jaki: Don't just assume, Jan.
Man: I just want to go home…
Ojan: Alright, calm down. Let's figure something out.
Hendra: If you wanna go home, take a detour. Maybe they won't notice.
Man: Through the back alley?
Hendra: Yeah.
---
The man hesitated… then gathered his courage.
Jaki: You sure you're okay going alone? Want us to escort you?
Man: No need! I can handle it!
Hendra: No, I'll take you. It's dangerous.
---
Hendra led the man outside.
Hendra: You two just sleep. I'll handle this.
---
...
Ojan and Jaki lay on the bed.
Ojan: You think they're safe?
Jaki: No idea. You're confused, I'm confused… now we're both confused.
---
Knock. Knock.
Ojan: Hendra?!
Hendra (entering): Yo.
Jaki: How was it? That guy safe?
Hendra: Yeah. The back alley was crowded, people karaoke-ing. They told me to go back.
Jaki: Good then.
Hendra (squeezing in): Move. I'm sleeping too.
Ojan: Dude! You slept all day!
Jaki: HEY! IT'S TIGHT HERE!
---
Eventually, they all fell asleep.
...
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Jaki (waking): Who is it… I already donated yesterday…
(opens door)
Jaki: Yeah, what—
??? (throws a punch): DIE!
---
Jaki dodged every punch, trying to counter but failing.
Jaki: WHO ARE YOU?!
??? (attacking): YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW! I JUST HAVE TO KILL YOU!
---
After dodging several times, Jaki struck back.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
The attacker staggered, blood dripping from his nose. Jaki followed with punches to the stomach, knocking him down.
Jaki: Who are you? What do you want?
??? (coughing): I'm from a place… where dogs are raised… fed… but never grateful… And disobedient dogs… must be punished…
Jaki: Don't tell me… you're from there?
???: Yeah… Ungrateful dogs like you don't deserve forgiveness…
(he pulls out a gun)
???: DIE!!
BAM!
Jaki struck first. The man collapsed unconscious.
---
Jaki: Damn… even after leaving, they're still after us?
He picked up the gun. On it was a logo: a fanged monkey… with the words: "Cool People."
Jaki: Yeah… it's really them. Once again… I don't owe you anything… bastards.
---
Ojan: HEY! WHAT'S GOING ON?!
He saw Jaki… and the body.
Jaki: They're here, Jan… they're here…
Ojan: Tch…
Hendra (yawning): What now… (sees it) …oh damn.