Carolina and Meschak set out to start a new life, the first among their many tasks was to liquidate all their belongings in their little one roomed apartment that Carolina had rented.

This was entrusted to 'Shadreck' a witty kaluna member dressed in what the urban youth deemed fashionable akin to what was popular in american rap music videos.

Shadreck organized a yard sale putting all of Carolina's belongings on display outside the little shack.

Shadreck had developed a sales system that created fake demand for the products on display thus causing an increase in their prices. The system was genius in its simplicity, Shadreck employed the help of several of his friends to inflate the prices.

The sales system was that whenever a prospective buyer would show interest in particular item and complained about the price, a kaluna member disguised as an ordinary citizen would ask the price of the same commodity and begin to check his wallet for money or alternatively check his accounts via the internet, this put the prospective buyer in a panic and the would usually buy the item at the inflated price.

One old man proved particularly difficult when he asked "how much for the flat screen TV," and Shadreck replied "12000 shilling." "Are you crazy 12000 for a second hand TV? You must be joking!" The old man exclaimed. "Well you see sir that is a one of kind TV specially imported from Japan you won't find it anywhere else in the country," Shadreck replied. "Still a used item is a used item there is no way it can cost more than a brand new TV, I won't pay a shilling over 7000," the old man retorted.

As Shadreck haggled with the old man a smartly dressed bearded gentleman approached Shadreck and asked the price, "12000 shilling!" Shadreck announced. The bearded gentleman panicked a little, withdrew 4000 shilling from his wallet and handed it to Shadreck. "What is this?" Shadreck said iritatedly. "Hold on!" the bearded gentleman said, he further audibly uttered "I've more in my account, a 45' big screen plasma TV, a samsung, is a steal at that price." Then suddenly the old man yelled "10,000 shilling is my final offer." "If you can get the money to me right now then I'll have no choice but to sell it to you," Shadreck said. A short while later the old man completed the transaction with the aid of a banking app, and made away with the TV.

Owing to Shadereck's ingenuity all the items on display were sold before nightfall much to Carolina's amazement.

"In another life you would have made a great salesman darling,"Carolina said. Shadreck smiled and replied "thanks I try my best." Shadreck and Carolina had become quite fond of one another not romantically, Shadreck had been much to young for her tastes but more like a naughty little brother and a concerned elder sister.

Under the cover of dark the set out for the kasumba lesa border post carrying nothing save for a few personal effects, a back pack full of money, another medium sized bag filled with raw opium and their hopes and dreams. Shadreck had arranged that they be met at the boarder by one of his colleagues another very perculiar kaluna member 'Elias".

Elias was but a very conspicuous character who though very smartly dressed much in the same way that a modern gentleman courting a beautiful woman would dress, he always spoke in hush tones as if everything he said were a secret. Elias arranged safe passage for the couple by bribing one of the zambian immigration officers, whom being overworked and underpaid, was more than happy to issue the couple fraudulent work permits.

They finally settled in Ndola town of Zambia's copperbelt province, a small yet industrious town, who's people were very hospitable earning it the nickname 'the friendly town'. The spent their first night in Ndola in a bed and breakfast.

The morning that followed as they were having their breakfast in the B and B's restaurant Carolina worried asked, "where are we going to live?" A little too loud. "I have been thinking about that all night," Meschak replied. A bald spectacled man very well dressed caught snatches of this conversation and came over to the couple and introduced himself "hi, I'm Mumba I couldn't help but over hear the conversation you two were having and I think I might be able to help."

"My names are Alexander Mumba but all my friends call me 'no pressure Mumba' real estate extraordinaire at your service," Mumba said. "What sort of home where you in the market for ?" Mumba asked. "Well nothing too fancy in a good nieghborhood hopefully near a church," Meschak replied. "I know just the place" Mumba assured them. "Are you aware of my fares?" Mumba asked. "No but I'm sure you will be more than happy to enlighten us," Meschak replied almost sarcastically. " I don't know about all that but my fares are you pay for my breakfast, 100 kwacha viewing fee, and 5% commission if you eventually lease the house," Mumba explained. Meschak and Carolina laughed "is the breakfast part necessary?" Meschak asked. "Yes and its non negotiable," Mumba declared. "Are we agreed?" Mumba asked holding out his hand. "We are" Meschak replied and the shook hands.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Mumba showed the couple three vacant homes that were open for leasing before the settled on one, the first wasn't even a house it was a wall fenced piece of land no more larger than 20 meters by 20meters, the couple objected to this showing to which Mumba counter argued that as soon as the paid the deposit their would be a house there with their specifications.

The couple promptly rejected the offer and paid Mumba a 100 kwacha for viewing. The house that followed was the bare minimum of what one would consider a house. It was a run down ramshackle with no doors or windows or running water or electricity. The couple noticing that this was a ploy by Mumba to augment his earnings through viewing fees stated through Meschak " if you don't show us a house within the criteria we've given you then the deal is off and we will find another housing agent." Mumba smiled knowing his game was over and said "okay boss!" The couple refused to pay Mumba this time to affirm their convictions.

The next house Mumba showed his clients was just perfect a tiny two bedroomed house, in a medium population density residential area, it was something between a slum and a suburb. It was where middle income, working class people chose to live. The area was called 'masala' owing to it's once rich indian population. Coincidentally they moved into the vicinity of a very progressive church 'the jerusalem gold family church' with a very dubious minister at it's helm.

The following Sunday the attended the church service at the jerusalem gold family church and were very impressed with it's lay out and it's congregants. The sermon that Sunday like many other sundays before it was on tithe giving. The minister went on about how it was holy and just for every christian to give up to half of their earnings to the lord, ofcourse through his divine office, so that the lord God almighty may bless them.

Meshack and Carolina sat in their seats smiling knowing the had found the right candidate for their diabolical plan. When the service was over Meshack and Carolina asked to see the pastor.

An usher led the couple to the pastor's office at the side of the church and asked them to wait on a bench outside. The usher knocked, "come in" the pastor responded. The usher led they couple into the room and left.

"Good morning my brother and sister? How are you? this fine day that the lord has made," the pastor began as he motioned Meschak and Carolina to take their seats. " How may I help you this fine morning?" The pastor inquired. "Good morning pastor," the couple responded in unison. "Pastor we've come a long way to make you a proposal, you can't refuse," Meschack said. "What proposal may this be?" the pastor asked. "We would like to rent your church for two months," Carolina replied. "Rent my church! That's preposterous! I would never rent out the house of the lord," the Pastor responded visibly upset. At this moment Meschak scribble something in his notebook, ripped out the piece of paper and slid it across the table to the pastor, "not even for this," Meschak asked. At the site of the scribbled words the pastor's eyes widened and his entire demeanor changed. "Well you know the church could use some renovations and I could use a vacation for even the lord our God rested on the seventh day of creation," the pastor said contemplatingly. "Well then it is settled, we will rent the church for two months and you go and enjoy your vacation your vacation pastor," Meschak said. "Please call me Chanda," the pastor replied.

The rest of that day was spent orienting the couple about the running of the church and several introductions were made to ensure a smooth transition from one pastor to another.