Ferdinand woke in a daze.
But he soon realized he couldn't move.
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
His mouth was gagged, and a strip of cloth covered his eyes.
His hands were cuffed and bound to a chair. He struggled desperately but couldn't break free.
Fear spread through him.
He tried to call for help, but the only sound was the echo of his own muffled cries.
His kidnapper seemed to notice he was awake and removed the gag.
"Who are you?" Ferdinand asked fearfully. "Man, I only made an offhand comment. You don't have to go this far."
"Do you want money?"
His first thought was that this was a robbery.
"I've still got five hundred dollars in my pocket. I know the rules, man. I haven't seen your face. Please, let me go."
As a former small-time punk, Ferdinand had never experienced anything like this.
The worst they had ever done was run their mouths and steal kids' pocket money.
Being kidnapped was a first.
Words poured out of Ferdinand. He came close to telling the man what underwear he was wearing.
His kidnapper listened for a while without saying anything.
Just as Ferdinand began wondering whether the man was still there, he spoke.
"How much do you know about John Wick?"
The voice sounded a little familiar. Ferdinand hurriedly said, "What? Man, I'm just a driver. What could I possibly know?"
Afraid the man wouldn't believe him, he added urgently, "It's true! Check my library card. I haven't seen him in two weeks."
"Seriously, I'm just a driver. I don't know anything. I swear to God."
He pleaded through tears, but his kidnapper stepped forward and removed his blindfold.
"Man, I didn't see anything. I swear I didn't."
Ferdinand squeezed his eyes shut in terror. He knew the rules. Once