When Gratitude Runs Out of Credit

"These clothes won't be easy to clean. Look at them. They're all covered in oil stains. How can a young woman like you be so messy? And look at this pair of pants! It's full of holes. I'd have to patch them all up. You young people are always so careless. If we don't help you guys patch your clothes, you'll end up walking around with your butt exposed!"

Despite being in the middle of responding to my messages, after hearing that long rant, I had to stop what I was doing and stare incredulously at the woman operating the laundromat.

I was a regular at Tom's Laundromat. It was conveniently located near my place, and the price was fair. I spent all my time at home drawing and rushing to meet my deadlines. Since I was constantly preoccupied with work, I usually got all of my laundry done here, save for my intimates.

Who would've thought that a simple errand that I usually managed to get done without any hassle or stress would result in a lecture today?

Narrowing my eyes, I studied the face of the old woman with graying hair before me. I was just about to speak when she started talking again.

"My son has gone back to his hometown to propose marriage, so I'm running the place on his behalf. The market rate for dry cleaning is 55 dollars per article of clothing. I'll charge you 200 for all four. Consider the rest a small discount to celebrate the impending good news that we, the Paynes, will be sharing with everyone."

Her words left me feeling rather uncomfortable.

Although I had done all of my laundry business here for some time now, I was still aware of the actual market rate. Even the long winter jackets and branded cashmere coats wouldn't cost 55 dollars per item.

The old woman, Tom's mother, was clearly trying to con me. She took me for a fool with plenty of cash to spare.

I was just about to refute her when I thought about Tom Payne, the owner of the laundromat. He was a single father who had been raising a kid alone for many years now. Now that he finally had the chance to get married again, I didn't want to cause any trouble for him. If anything, I could just wait until his mother left before I started doing my laundry here again.

"Fine," I said. "Please give me a receipt. I'll come by in a few days to pick up my clothes."

I took out my membership card and placed it on the counter.

However, the old woman snorted and started scrutinizing me.

"Here I was thinking you look like a respectable young woman, but it turns out you're a cheapskate. That explains why you don't even like washing your own clothes. I bet you use all the time you saved to scheme against others."

Frowning, I asked, "What scheme? Who am I scheming against?"

I was an art graduate, for crying out loud. Even basic math was something that was foreign to me.

Seeing how confused I was, Tom's mother grabbed the membership card and threw it at me.

Her saliva flew everywhere as she screeched, "What's this nonsense about a membership? I bet you people are all taking advantage of Tom's honest nature! How can you get an extra 500-dollar value when you top up a thousand dollars in advance? That's just a loss for us!

"I'm telling you right now. If you want your clothes washed, you're going to give me cash! That'll be 220 dollars and not a single penny less! What a waste of my kindness that was."

I was utterly taken aback. As I took in her heaving chest and the haughty way she was scrutinizing me, I came to a realization.

I was free to spend my money wherever I wanted. I could always start frequenting a different laundromat from now on.

220 dollars for four articles of clothing? I could pay that much at a different place and even get a couple of pairs of shoes cleaned for that price.

After picking up my membership card, I was just about to get my clothes and leave when Tom's mother grabbed my clothes and tossed them under the counter.

"Who said these are yours? Do you have any evidence?"